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17 February 2007

Another Bike to Not Ride


I actually only bought the new frame because I thought it would be a fun project. I figured very roughly that I had most of the parts to build up a new bike, so when I saw a frame for $45 I figured I couldn't pass on it. Yes, for $45 I didn't expect much. My $45 delivered a painted blue steel frame with low quality welds, almost something you expect to see , "huffy ironman triathlon pro titanium boron steel*" printed on the sticker. But, my Forty-Fiver does have standard disc brake mounts, rack mounts, and anything else you'd want in a low-cost steel frame. Paired with a $35 rigid fork, it should be a fun ride.

Yeah, I have named the bike, it's the Forty-Fiver. I've already had a headset put on, and I need to buy a stem and bars. From my used parts bin, I have installed a bottom bracket and the STX-RC cranks. I have also have front Deore V-brakes, although I don't know if the brake levers I have will work with them. I have two full pairs of cantilever brakes that I know will work with the levers, but then I'd also have to dig up some cable hangers, since even for $45 they assume you'll come up with v-type brakes.

My Klein hard-tail may be almost 12 years old, but it's still a great frame and I've kept it fairly updated. The more I think about it, the Forty-Fiver needs to be a bit quirky because I don't actually need another bike. At first I had planned to use some old grip-shifters and put full gears on the bike, but along that quirky idea the Forty-Fiver is going to be a single speed, and I might not even install the rear brake. My best friend growing up had a BMX bike with only a front brake- why not just build the 26" version? Let's see: rigid fork, single speed, front brake only... opps, I think it's a BMX cruiser.


*real bike: Dianaverse took me to a creek at Dix to try to rescue one from the mud for free. Everything below the waterline was toast. Last week Alphagal saw one listed for sale on a message board at her place of employment.

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