Bicycle Forum

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Here's my STeed.PXL_20210918_170041532.jpg
 
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Well I bought this bicycle because it has a Sturmey archer three speed coaster brake hub.

The rest of the bike was a rusty disaster. I had to change the crank bearing set. It got a new chain, and I went to the bicycle shop and bought a whole bunch of new bicycle tools.

After I spent two days, cleaning everything, changed tires, and recovered the seat…..OK three days…
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Anyhow it rides pretty nice now. I was going to repaint the bike but I thought I put it together and ride it first just to make sure it wasn’t bent. Pedals easily and tracks well.

But this is not my style of bicycle. I always feel like I’m a bout to do a header on one of these things. I remember riding my Schwinn varsity into a crack in the asphalt wide enough to grab my front tire, and I went right over the handlebars.

I was lucky. I wasn’t wearing a helmet, but I trucked and rolled and took it all on my shoulders and back. Yeah my shoulders were sore and I’m glad I wasn’t going fast. I had the kids with me and we were just tooling along at kiddy speed.

I could’ve easily done a face plant on the asphalt.

Anyhow I’m going to build myself another bicycle. I really bought this one just for that three speed coaster brake hub.
 
I am working on this cart.
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Here it is behind the wife's Nishiki.
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The neck is just 1/2" EMT, and flexy, so I added this small tube as reinforcement at the critical juncture.
I used bolts so the neck could come off easily. I sleeved the tubing at that u-bolt, so the frame tube won't crush when I tighten it.
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If you are planning on actually using your builds yourself, or selling them on to people to use, I advise that you pay particular attention to frame material, the gearing system and wheels!

A worse case scenario is a steel frame, with only single or three speed hub, with fat mountain bike tyres! A nice casual Sunday morning ride out, especially if the terrain is lumpy, will be no fun whatsoever!
 
It is quite flat here. Easy going.

Nonetheless I am doing this for exercise, so if the bike is a little heavy that’s not a problem.
 
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I like that cart. Better than a number of them which attach to the side of the bike, although they do have the convenience of allowing the bike to be rested somewhat independently of the trailer. What kind of bed are you going to add to it? A 'woody' style box for cargo? I like the color too. I am sure you are having fun with it, which is what matters most.
 
No, what I’ve been looking for is a wire basket that is approximately the right shape. Unfortunately,I haven’t found just the right thing yet.

I might end up building a light steel framework with plastic panels.
 
I bought the worlds cheapest mountain bike the other day. It’s only saving grace was that it had hardly any miles on it at all, the tires are like brand new, and you couldn’t buy a set for what I paid for the bike.
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Otherwise every piece of hardware on this stinker is pretty poorly made. Lots of parts are plastic on the controls and they would not survive a tip over. The pedals are plastic too.

It does have A very nice seat, and inexpensive but like new Alex aluminum rims, plus the hubs and bearings are like new. I’m going to put those on my wife’s Nishiki with her street tires, and sell these mountain bike tires

This is a fake Schwinn by Giant of China. The foil logo is stuck on with cheap foam tape. As a former classic Schwinn owner, this is the kind of stuff that makes you cry.
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So she’s all torn down now and I was able to use the front brake on the front of my Manhattan bike. I like the style of center-pull brake much better than the side pull caliper style.

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Everything came apart quite easily because there was no rust. I did put a heat gun on the alloy pedal cranks, So I wouldn’t have to beat on the crank puller. The bearings are still very nice and I didn’t want to mess them up. Anyhow because aluminum expands three times as fast as steel, they came right off.

I wanted to put these pedal cranks on my Manhattan bike but I’m not sure now, because of the flaky staked-on sprocket arrangement used for both bikes.
What appears to be a modern crank and chain wheel arrangement is really just a plastic cover over some spot welds.
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There’s a special place in hell for people who build junk like this.

The brake worked out okay on the Manhattan bike, once I trimmed away the shifter module from the combination lever.
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Trimmed with a hacksaw and grinder.
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Not adjusted yet….
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The Schwinn frame is in tiptop shape and it is about 2 inches taller and 2 inches longer than the Manhattan frame. I think it will fit me much better than the Manhattan and I am going to switch all my wheels and parts over to the Schwinn. I may however paint it first. I really don’t like the fact that it says Schwinn on it.
 
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I have been trying to buy a fat tire bike all over town and you can’t buy one. You can’t buy a tire or a tube or a wheel or a rim. All the parts are on back order.

Anyhow I decided that it was a wise decision to buy a Mongoose Malus advertised on craigslist. This is one fat squishy beast. It is a monster bike.
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I had never been on the style of bicycle before and it’s a very interesting to ride. At first it feels like a flat tires, but then you get going and it feels bouncy and fun.
 
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