Jeff Viniard
Granny Gear
Posts:46
Registered Users
Murray/Crestwood, KY
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| 05/01/2008 4:24 PM |
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Heya folks. My roomie and I had a discussion about what we're doing next semester, and he brought up the fact that he wants a bike to ride to campus on. After my first "You've seen the light!" reaction, we talked a bit about how he wants it kitted out.
So we need help figuring out how to set up this bike for commuting. The ride from house to school is pretty mellow (1 mile, nothing over 3-4%), so SS/Fixed might be an option. Then again, nobody down here knows that fixies are "cool" yet, so a geared bike would work well. Thus, my question is two-part:
1. What reliable gear do you guys love? I'll keep the bike in good working condition while we're roomies, but when he moves out there's no telling, so a 10-speed SRAM Force drivetrain is out of the question.
2. Does anybody have used road parts they'd like to unload? This bike's going to be on a reasonable budget (<$400 worth of parts, there's already $15 in the frame).
Speaking of the frame, it's a lovely lugged-steel Raleigh Pursuit frame that I got second-hand some time back. It's got a 1" threaded headset (no stem), horizontal dropouts, and a derailler hanger. The guy I bought it from said the frame is sized for 27" wheels, but he ran 700c.
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corndogggy
Training Wheels
Posts:9
Registered Users
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| 05/01/2008 5:04 PM |
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| Dude, it's 1 mile, who cares. :) Get a Wal-Mart bike. The worst bike you can get will still get him there in less than 5 minutes and even if it broke down he's always less than a mile from home. |
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chuck_clark
Big Ring
Posts:249
Registered Users
Louisville
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| 05/01/2008 9:30 PM |
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I really like my fixie for commuter distances. More fun and more challenge for short distances. 700c wheels work just fine on a 27" bike. You have to take some extra consideration with brake reach, but with only a fixie and a one mile commute, you may not have to worry. If the brake doesn't work out, it might be cheaper to find a take off 1" fork from a bike shop. You might even score a threadless one and a take off stem.
Big thing is to make the bike undesirable looking, ghetto, but really functional. Fat, commuterish tires that are flat resistant would be a good idea. Also, consider making the bike annoyingly bright and reflective.
Lots of info on http://www.sheldonbrown.com about fixies and conversions.
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trailking
Posts:10
Registered Users
southend
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| 05/02/2008 3:42 AM |
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| i may have some bars and stem... 1 inch |
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Jeff Viniard
Granny Gear
Posts:46
Registered Users
Murray/Crestwood, KY
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| 05/02/2008 12:58 PM |
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CD, you're probably right. But I won't abide a Wal-Mart bike living under my roof.
Anybody have fender recommendations?
Trailking, lemme know about those parts. |
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FireBallKY
Big Ring
Posts:117
Registered Users
Lexington, KY USA
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| 05/02/2008 4:02 PM |
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| Jeff, did you receive my message? |
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I'm not fat. That's a fuel tank for the love machine!!! |
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Jeff Viniard
Granny Gear
Posts:46
Registered Users
Murray/Crestwood, KY
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| 05/03/2008 1:24 AM |
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| As soon as I figure out where it is: Yes! |
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russell g
Big Ring
Posts:350
Registered Users
Louisville, KY
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| 05/03/2008 9:22 PM |
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| I would pick up a bike at goodwill or DAV> you can get em all day long for 5 bucks. A little Krylon some stickers and some love he could have a sweet lil commuter. plus if it's stolen who cares. 1 mile walk and out 5 bucks. |
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