Mtb, freestyle, cross country, cruisers, etc.! Bike talk goes here.

I currently have a 21 speed Mongoose Threshold Sport mountain bike. It's not a cheap Wal-Mart bike. I got it from a local bike shop. The Mongoose bikes at Wal Mart might as well be a different brand completely; they make a separate line of higher quality bikes that are only sold in real bike shops. Anyway, it's fully rigid (no shocks at all) so I can't really use it as a serious mountain bike, so I was thinking about getting some lightweight wheels and road tires, and some new derailleurs for it and use it as my everyday road bike. something like this...
http://www.askmalaysia.com/blog/mongoose-threshold-chromoly-bike-for-sale/


What hog do you ride?

Oh thats pretty cool,i actually got a BMX mongoose from a local bike shop.

What about road bikes and fixed gears?

^Oh man, don't get me started on fixies...that should be a whole new thread!

I've personally got a pretty big collection of bikes from various places.

-1958 Columbia Newsboy Special (cruiser, saved from dump, did a quick resto on it)
-1970's Moto Bike (earlist incarnation of the BMX bike, banana seat, motorcyle suspension, the works, found in bushes at McDonalds drive through)
-1970's Sears Spyder (early BMX bike, saved from a dump pile)
-Custom 80's Moutain/Road bike (dad made out of demo parts from my grandpa's old bike business)
-80's Redline BMX (fully set up for racing, I'm told lots of expensive/rare parts, but I don't know **** about it.)

I'll try and post photos tomorrow. I love bikes almost as much as skateboards.
Merging doublepost
Okay, I was bored today so here's some photos:

1958 Columbia Newsboy Special:

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t308/OldSchoolKid/ColumbiaNewsboySpecial.jpg

Evans Girls Bike, next project for all my nice lady friends to ride:

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t308/OldSchoolKid/GirlsBike.jpg

Now these next three are a progression of modern BMX...

1970s Cougar Moto Bike: (strangely the cougar emblem on the front looks almost the same as the Mercury Cougar emblem, hmm)

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t308/OldSchoolKid/Cougar.jpg

1970s Sears Spyder: (rides like complete ****, needs a lot of work)

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t308/OldSchoolKid/SearsSpyder.jpg

1980s Redline:

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t308/OldSchoolKid/Redline.jpg

Custom made mountain/road bike, this gets the most use:

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t308/OldSchoolKid/Mtnbike.jpg

Does that mean you love fixeds, or hate them?

Either way Im currently riding a late 80s schwin sprint, that is a flip flop, with a 52-17 ratio. Now Im done with all the major upgrades. I just recently got a new crankset, chainring, freewheel, fixed cog, and chain. I got a new wheelset, new bars, pedals, and bottem braket. At least there isnt much else that I will need to replace on it.

I'm thinking of buying another road bike soon. The last one I had was Kent GMC Denali bike from Wal Mart, haha. Don't judge, the bike rode ok, and was actually pretty smooth. Of course in comparison to a more high end road bike, you could tell it was of poorer quality. I think I'm going for a Schwinn road bike this time around though.

How much are you planning on spending? Schwin bikes usually have really aweful componants untill you get to a pretty high price.

It's kind of sad how Schwinn has gone downhill. Some of the best bikes I've ever ridden were old Schwinns.

I have a really nice Schwinn frame on my bike. They generally are nice frames. But thier whole bikes are not so much.

i have one of those chopper bikes and a mongoose fat lard gay fruit bike.

haven't ridden a bike in like forever

i bought a cannondale chase but after like a year and a half of new parts and what not i kinda ended up with a completely different bike. now i have a black market mob frame and a bunch of different parts

i used to dirt jump a lot and i raced 4x like 3 times

What about road bikes and fixed gears?
Mtb, freestyle, cross country, cruisers, etc.!

The next thing I'm going to buy is a road bike. I was thinking about getting a brakeless fixed gear track bike, but having brakes would be way more practical with city riding. I guess I'll just keep looking at garage sales.

I have a schwin'd frame custom BMX bike, that used to be some Dirt racing bike...


I used to be so good at BMX, but then I fell in love with the board with 4 wheels =P...


I was not too bad though, I could bunny hop onto a picnic table at one time, cause the bike was so damn light...

I'm not going too high on the bike, only around 300 or less. I was thinking about using it as a project bike and buying new components for it as I get more money. I like to work on things, so, sound like a good idea? or no?

Zero: If you know what you are doing its a great idea, if not you will spend a lot of money, and have lots of hassle. I rebuilt my bike almost completly.


Higher Skater- Track bikes are really bad for riding in the city. But if you convert a road bike to fixed it works pretty great. If you havent riden fixed before I would definatly put on a front brake. I would suggest you get a flip flop. Which is a wheel that has a free wheel on one side, and a fixed cog on the other. Also make sure you get toe clips.

Yea, I know what I'm doing, I decided to take my last bike almost completely apart and know pretty much how everything goes, and what everything is. Thats what I think I'll do though.

Higher Skater- Track bikes are really bad for riding in the city. But if you convert a road bike to fixed it works pretty great. If you havent riden fixed before I would definatly put on a front brake. I would suggest you get a flip flop. Which is a wheel that has a free wheel on one side, and a fixed cog on the other. Also make sure you get toe clips.
Thanks, good advice. I have ridden my friend's fixed gear a few times, and I really liked the ride. Riding fixed improves your pedaling stroke which makes your pedaling style better and more efficient. I've been considering this (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/messenger.htm) bike for a while now. I think I'm going to make the dive and invest in it as soon as I get back to school and get a job.

That seems like an okay bike to start with, but I would suggest the Mercier. Its the same price, and a better frame. Plus better componants.

That seems like an okay bike to start with, but I would suggest the Mercier. Its the same price, and a better frame. Plus better componants.
Good to know. What do you think about the Windsor they have on that site (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/thehour.htm)?

My dad collects bikes. We got like 20 bikes from the 50s-80s. I have no idea what kind any of them are, but most of them are in good condition.

If you can afford it I would spend the extra $50, but if not the Winsor seems pretty good.

I am very bored right now, so I figured out you live in the Daytona area, and check out craigslist. I couldnt find anything on there now for a converstion. But if you look around you can usually find a road bike for a good converstion.
Merging doublepost
In order to convert a "normal" multi-geared road bike you dont need to change too much. This is the complete list of everything you need to do and need to buy. A shop can do all of the work if you want, and lots will loan you some of the tools you need(buying a freewheel wrench may not be that useful for you). Also this is the same method to convert it into a single speed.

1. Make sure you have horizontal drop-outs
The slots your back wheel slides into are called drop outs. On a geared bike the rear derailer also keeps the chain tight, so you dont have to worry about where you put your wheel on. But to make a fixed gear, you have to be able to alter the chain tension. In order to do this, you have to have drop outs that allow room to move. They usually look something like this (without the arrows) http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/chain_length/horizdropout.jpg

[B]2 Remove all the unnessisary cable and parts
This is means both front and rear derailers, shifter cable, shifters, rear break lever and cable. If you want to make is single speed, leave on the rear break set up. This is the first part of work you are doing. If you can't get do it, youre not ready to convert a bike. Call a friend for help or swallow your pride and befriend a bike shop

3. Rear Wheel work
Your rear wheel should be off (because the previous step is a million times easier if the whell isnt there). Note the size of the wheel, go to your favorite bike shop(in Philly mine's the Bike Stable and in St Louis its A&M Bikes) and talk with a person about the right rear wheel in that size. I would suggest you get a flip flop hub. It has the space for a freewheel on one side, and fixed cog on the other.

4. The Rest of your purchases
Since you are already at the shop, may as well get everything else you need. The stars on the tool are the ones you should definatly have in your stash. Here is a list:
Parts
Rear wheel
Fixed cog(more on sizing in a minute)
Lock Ring
Freewheel (same size as the fixed cog)
Chainring
Chain
Single speed crank bolts
Toe Clips
Crank(maybe)
Tools
Chain Whip
Flat Wrenches
Freewheel wrench
Lockring wrench*
Chainring bolt key
Chain Break*

The sizing of the fixed cog and chainring is a lot of personal preferances. I ride 52 tooth chain ring and 17 tooth cog. But I wouldn't recomend that for most people. Philadelphia is really flat, I ride really stupidly(fly down the streets too fast, run too many red lights) A tough ratio increases your top speed, and allows higher top level acceleration. An easier ration allows for longer rides, better acceleration from start, easier hill climbing and easier stopping. The standard(if there can be one) is 48-17.

5 Assembling the rear wheel
If you have a fixed hub only ignore this first part. There should have two different looking threadings on your hub. One has two different threadings in opposite directions, with the outer one being smaller, that is the fixed side. The other is for the free wheel. A free wheel is pretty easy to put on. First screw it on as tight as you can with your hand. Then slide the freewheel wrench onto the wheel, and crank it down tight as you can. The fixed cog is only slightly harder. First twist on the cog as tight as you can. Then wrap the chain ring around the cog and twist it as tight as you can. Then twist the lock ring on by hand. Then using the lockright wrench tighten the ring as much as you can. If you dont get it tight enough, your cog will fall off.

6. Putting on the cranks and chainring
Take off the the old set of chain rings. If your crank is not attached to the set of chainrings you dont need to get new ones. But if they are, you have to buy a new crank. If you dont have to buy a new one, bring your drive side crank to the shop, to make sure you get the right ring size. Attatch your new chain ring to the crank and put the cranks onto the bottem bracket.

7. Almost done aka a bunch of stuff with out a name
Attatch your toe clips, and get the straps in the right place for your shoed feet. Put your rear wheel on, and about halfway down your drop out, tighten it on. You may be thinking, "But there isnt a chaing". Fear not. Wrap your chain around the chainring, and cog. You may have to move your wheel slightly. If you do, move it back. You want your chain tight enough that it wont fall off, but not stretched as tight as it will go. Put the chain togehter around the frame, but not on the cog and chainring. Put the chain on the cog and ring, then flip your bike over and go for a ride on your sweet conversion.

^^^^^ Wow, a LOT of good information there. Thank you so much for that! For some reason, it never occurred to me to check craigslist. I'll definitely look into that and keep the conversion possibility in mind. I'd really rather convert an old road bike (like a 70's Schwinn) to a fixed gear and give it a cool paint job and new components than buy a new fixie. I'll PM you with any questions I have if/when I start the project. Thanks again.

Well, I just ended up getting a Kent road bike. Its a GMC Yukon XL. Its not bad for 300 dollars, but as always it could be better. Its got Shimano STI shifters which work great, Vitesse Rims ( which I know nothing about ), 6061 aluminum, and its a 14 speed. Its really not a bad bike, and I know this may be frowned upon but I bought it at wal mart for lack of the bike shop I was going to get one from closed about a week ago.. It really doesn't ride bad, and its good enough for my uses.

I'm about to leave to go pick up a late 70's Raleigh 10 speed road bike. I'm not sure which model it is (the guy who has it is the second owner, and he doesn't know), but I'll post pics as soon as I get it. It has original paint, new tires & tubes, new Shimano brakes, and new cables. I'm so stoked! A fixed gear conversion might be in order... :)

my bike is a x games walmart special I got it when I was 8 the brakes failed 2 months ago so I ripped them out now I use my feet and my tires were slashed so I just ride rims... my bike is ghetto.

I got a stolen heist BMX two years ago and it was bran new. pretty light. riding breakless. started to get into biking, was saving up for new sprockets and handle bars and there was 2 weeks left of summer and most of my friends that i biked with said hey lets skate for a few days and i just havent biked since. thinking about starting up again because i was decent and i suck balls at skating.

I got a stolen heist BMX two years ago and it was bran new. pretty light. riding breakless. started to get into biking, was saving up for new sprockets and handle bars and there was 2 weeks left of summer and most of my friends that i biked with said hey lets skate for a few days and i just havent biked since. thinking about starting up again because i was decent and i suck balls at skating.

Bmx when it's wet or when it's raining, and when it's dry, go skate!

:icon_peac

i have a haro tr2.1 that i havn't ridden sinse i started skating. main reason is the chain is broken and i love skating to much to go back.

I have a DK Cleveland BMX bike, with a Shadow Conspiracy Crow seat. :) Love it. I have a Huffy MTB too, but it's usually broken somehow.

Ehh I have a Haro Nyquist BackTrail X2

Don't get into bikes to much

And Fixed gear bikes hate me.

I went to pittsburgh with my friend stephan and road his fixed gear and forgot that you can't stop petaling and ate it so hard haha

Just to update, I did get that classic Raleigh Grand Prix. Mine's somewhere between a '71 and a '74. I narrowed it down to that time frame because mine was made by a factory in Holland called Gazelle, and they only produced those models in those years. Plus I have cottered cranks, which were replaced with cogless in '75. The only problem is that my fork is completely chrome, and all of the Raleighs I've seen only have chrome tipped forks. I'm guessing that it's not stock...
I can't find a picture of a '71-'74, but here's a 1970.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/images/70-grand-prix.jpg
It's basically the same thing.

I'll post some pictures of mine when I'm back home from Toronto.

Since I bought it, I've had to replace both of the derailleurs, and I need a new seat. I'm still waiting on my front derailleur, so it's currently only a 5-speed. lol. I ride it every day though. It's my main transportation. I'm hyped on upgrading it. Things that I'm going to buy for it in the near future:
new seat
cotterless cranks
new pedals & cages
new brakes
new handlebar grip (it currently has gross black foam)
new wheelset

I've got a haro, can't remember what model cause it's about 8 years old.

Love it to death though, no front brake but hey.

I've got a haro, can't remember what model cause it's about 8 years old.

Love it to death though, no front brake but hey.

Front brakes are bogus anyways. Actually, all brakes suck :tongue:

Pics of the whip!
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b133/pwnxorzido/kuh001.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b133/pwnxorzido/kuh002.jpg
chrome forks!
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b133/pwnxorzido/kuh003.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b133/pwnxorzido/kuh004.jpg
Yeah, that's duct tape holding that cable in place. I have it like that so I can still ride it while I wait on my front derailleur to come in. It actually came in a few days ago, but I can't find a ride to the bike shop (it's on a 6 lane highway... not riding my bike there lol).

Why not just take off all the useless parts and ride it single speed?

^Useless? hahaha

Single speeds are nice (I've mainly been riding one lately) but every once in awhile I regret selling my Schwinn Varsity 10 speed.

I don't know if I could make the switch to single speed. I like the leisure of having gears while going up hills. I'll probably buy a cheap bike one day and convert it to a fixed gear or single speed to see how I like it. That way I won't spend a bunch of time and effort just to potentially be stuck with something I don't like.

but every once in awhile I regret selling my Schwinn Varsity 10 speed.
weird, my brother just bought one of those yesterday

I don't know if I could make the switch to single speed. I like the leisure of having gears while going up hills. I'll probably buy a cheap bike one day and convert it to a fixed gear or single speed to see how I like it. That way I won't spend a bunch of time and effort just to potentially be stuck with something I don't like.


weird, my brother just bought one of those yesterday

You could get a cheap single speed kit, and if you don't like it, put all the gears and the cassette back on. DMR has one...

Cheers!

Heres my two bikes!

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o163/BartmanOwnz/PIC-0128.jpg

Idk if any of you have every been "freeriding/downhilling" but its so sick!
Bombing down hills at crazy speeds with huge rocks everywhere and 10FT+ drops!! Huge jumps! OMG its such a rush!!!

Yeah I've been thinking of getting an FBM Heathen... Most dudes say you progress faster on 20's, so I'd like to start learning tricks on my 20er first then bring it over to my 26er. Do you eventually get used to the size differences between bmx and mtb?

^ Yah im completly comfortable on my mtb and bmx!
didnt take to long to get used to switching back and forth

and i rode someones 26er hardtail, and it was freaken sick!
felt like an oversized bmx bike but i was able to handle it as if it were a bmx bike

Yeah, thats basically how my 26er feels. Everyone says they improve twice as fast on a bmx thn on mtb, so it looks like an opportunity to advance faster, and also it might make street a little funner. Advancing is deviitely important, since I only ride when it's wet (when I can't skate...). Thanks for the help!

i got like a wal-mart bike from 5th grade and its still lasting me =D.

Yeah, thats basically how my 26er feels. Everyone says they improve twice as fast on a bmx thn on mtb, so it looks like an opportunity to advance faster, and also it might make street a little funner. Advancing is deviitely important, since I only ride when it's wet (when I can't skate...). Thanks for the help!

Haha yeah
no prob man =]

I've been having a dispute with reslife at my school... I always park my bike in the stairwell in my dorm because I don't want to leave it at the bike rack outside, and I live on the third floor so it would be a ***** to carry up and down every day. Reslife posted a poster right next to my bike saying that you can't leave your bikes in the stairwell, so I got pissed and sent them an email explaining that any serious bike rider wouldn't want their bicycle left unattended outside in the weather every day. Plus aren't colleges supposed to support progressive energy-efficient lifestyles? They're remodeling all of these buildings to make them more energy efficient, yet they don't even provide cyclists a proper place to put their bikes. I sent them an email and am waiting for a response, so last night I parked mine outside at the bike rack just to be compliant. I go to ride this morning, and BAM there's a huge white bird turd on my seat. This is really the last straw.

http://www.cyclefunattic.com/bicycles/haro_x3.JPG just popped my tube but anyway i love that bike and it didnt cost me 600 it cost me 35$ haha flea markets ftw

Just one thing: to you BMXers, how the hell can you ride a bike without brakes?