As I mulled over the possibilities, I realized that my "bad weather" bike, the Old-But-Nice-Marin was a little too nice to ride in foul weather and the beautiful steel frame was already showing a little effect from the salt last winter. This frame is aluminum and the cassette had been converted to a single-speed already (with a Shimano derailleur serving as a chain tensioner).
Adding some fenders, moving over some lights from the Marin, and swapping out the marshmallow saddle for a spare ass-hatchet that I had laying around essentially completed this build. It needed some general tightening, tensioning, truing and lube, but that really only took an hour or so last weekend.
This bike will not turn any heads, that's for sure. But, I rode it around the neighborhood tonight and found the gearing to be suitable for my topography and the ride... the ride is fine. Single speed will be a new experience for me; I generally like to face the world with gears, but I know my commute and myself and think I won't have any trouble going single speed.
Now I am hoping it's raining pitchforks and hammer handles tomorrow morning so I can take this thing through the paces.
Egads, next you'll be riding one of those fixed wheel velocipedes!
ReplyDeleteGood work. An all-weather beater is an important part of any bike collection.
ReplyDeleteI rode this today and it kicked ass. I was pleasantly surprised that the hills were invisible and I really enjoyed the simplicity of it all. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice, but I may well ride this again because I have an appointment at Powder Horn Park after work and I would be more comfortable leaving this locked up outside as opposed to anything else I ride around on. That's quite an endorsement if you think about it.
ReplyDeleteJust mash up your big ole hill and you should be fine. Glad you are enjoying the single speed.
ReplyDeleteThe big ole hill has been good to me this year. I am starting to show some leg muscles again, thanks to that thing...
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