Winter Commuter Bike Build (2011 Winter Edition)
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Winter Commuter Bike Build: Whatcha buildin?
I know, I know it's still Fall, but...
' got this yesterday
I already have most of the parts, except wheelset, Headset and Disc Rotors.
I like to build it with a 26" wheels to prevent toe overlap.
' just need suggestions on what wheelset and headset to get. I'm looking for something affordable, but good quality.
Thanks in advance!
Feel free to share your project.
' got this yesterday
I already have most of the parts, except wheelset, Headset and Disc Rotors.
I like to build it with a 26" wheels to prevent toe overlap.
' just need suggestions on what wheelset and headset to get. I'm looking for something affordable, but good quality.
Thanks in advance!
Feel free to share your project.
Last edited by DVC45; 01-17-12 at 12:30 PM.
#2
stupid after seven
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Awesome, looks fun!
I am building a winter commuter, too, but my focus is probably a whole lot different... started with a steel '80s Trek 800, stripped it down, painted it with tri-color iridescent auto paint, we'll call it Dragonfly Green, including clear-coating it like a million times. Picked the wow! color for visibility, hopefully they'll see me before they hit me, but if not, I should be easy to find in a snowbank.
Designed some flourishes with Make the Cut! and cut them out with the vinyl cutter. Picked up some Deore XT rear v-brakes. Waiting for the front brakes (only Deore, because, believe it or not, they match better than the XTs), Yeti grips, and an Internally Geared Wheel that the LBS downtown is building for me. Still up in the air about the cable housing, but perhaps green brakes and black shifter. Nokian studded tyres waiting for the wheel to be finished...
Here's a pic for now:
I am building a winter commuter, too, but my focus is probably a whole lot different... started with a steel '80s Trek 800, stripped it down, painted it with tri-color iridescent auto paint, we'll call it Dragonfly Green, including clear-coating it like a million times. Picked the wow! color for visibility, hopefully they'll see me before they hit me, but if not, I should be easy to find in a snowbank.
Designed some flourishes with Make the Cut! and cut them out with the vinyl cutter. Picked up some Deore XT rear v-brakes. Waiting for the front brakes (only Deore, because, believe it or not, they match better than the XTs), Yeti grips, and an Internally Geared Wheel that the LBS downtown is building for me. Still up in the air about the cable housing, but perhaps green brakes and black shifter. Nokian studded tyres waiting for the wheel to be finished...
Here's a pic for now:
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Awesome, looks fun!
I am building a winter commuter, too, but my focus is probably a whole lot different... started with a steel '80s Trek 800, stripped it down, painted it with tri-color iridescent auto paint, we'll call it Dragonfly Green, including clear-coating it like a million times. Picked the wow! color for visibility, hopefully they'll see me before they hit me, but if not, I should be easy to find in a snowbank.
Designed some flourishes with Make the Cut! and cut them out with the vinyl cutter. Picked up some Deore XT rear v-brakes. Waiting for the front brakes (only Deore, because, believe it or not, they match better than the XTs), Yeti grips, and an Internally Geared Wheel that the LBS downtown is building for me. Still up in the air about the cable housing, but perhaps green brakes and black shifter. Nokian studded tyres waiting for the wheel to be finished...
Here's a pic for now:
I am building a winter commuter, too, but my focus is probably a whole lot different... started with a steel '80s Trek 800, stripped it down, painted it with tri-color iridescent auto paint, we'll call it Dragonfly Green, including clear-coating it like a million times. Picked the wow! color for visibility, hopefully they'll see me before they hit me, but if not, I should be easy to find in a snowbank.
Designed some flourishes with Make the Cut! and cut them out with the vinyl cutter. Picked up some Deore XT rear v-brakes. Waiting for the front brakes (only Deore, because, believe it or not, they match better than the XTs), Yeti grips, and an Internally Geared Wheel that the LBS downtown is building for me. Still up in the air about the cable housing, but perhaps green brakes and black shifter. Nokian studded tyres waiting for the wheel to be finished...
Here's a pic for now:
I can't wait to see it built.
I am still deciding on what wheel to use on mine. 700c or 26".
I think I'll go crazy on putting reflective tape too.
Last edited by DVC45; 10-02-11 at 10:34 AM.
#4
Did I catch a niner?
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It's mostly done, just need to pull the cranks off to re-grease.
#5
stupid after seven
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Pinks,
CRAZY seatpost!!! Forgive my noobness, but what is it? Looks cool... And the bars? Do tell us all about it. Did you build it?
CRAZY seatpost!!! Forgive my noobness, but what is it? Looks cool... And the bars? Do tell us all about it. Did you build it?
#6
Senior Member
Just finished this and posted another thread. I am excited enough about it to post a pic here too.
#7
Did I catch a niner?
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Oh and yes I built this mother trucker up myself, it has really become quite comfortable. It's heavy but I find myself riding a lot more then I used to after these few changes and the addition of a rear rack helps a lot.
Ira B,
What fenders are those?
Last edited by Mr Pink57; 10-02-11 at 07:53 PM.
#8
Senior Member
Pulled those off a cheapo Mongoose MTB a couple years ago and really like them.
It's a Titec Hellbent has 1.5" of setback, I got this bike in 1997 when I was about 12 years old so you can imagine how small it can be. The bars are On-One Mary bars I pulled off my MTB in favor for a sweep bar.
Oh and yes I built this mother trucker up myself, it has really become quite comfortable. It's heavy but I find myself riding a lot more then I used to after these few changes and the addition of a rear rack helps a lot.
Ira B,
What fenders are those?
Oh and yes I built this mother trucker up myself, it has really become quite comfortable. It's heavy but I find myself riding a lot more then I used to after these few changes and the addition of a rear rack helps a lot.
Ira B,
What fenders are those?
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#10
Senior Member
It's an early 90's Shogun Trailbreaker. Picked it at the local recycle center for 10 bucks and gave it a total rebuild.
What caught my eye was the hand tig welded cro mo frame that seems exceptionally well done. Doing my first commute with it tomorrow and can hardly wait.
What caught my eye was the hand tig welded cro mo frame that seems exceptionally well done. Doing my first commute with it tomorrow and can hardly wait.
#11
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I wish I was building a bike for the winter commute! Instead I'm spending my funds on clothes, fenders, lighting, reflectors, spare tubes, and possibly on making at least a front studded tire (as much for fun as for practicality - I doubt myself being able to commute that deep into winter - mostly I just want to get some midwinter riding experience).
The bike I'm commuting on has been stored outside for most of it's lifetime and the drivetrain is rusting, so I'll just ride in into the ground and upgrade it. The clothes, lighting, etc can stay with me.
The bike I'm commuting on has been stored outside for most of it's lifetime and the drivetrain is rusting, so I'll just ride in into the ground and upgrade it. The clothes, lighting, etc can stay with me.
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
It's almost done. Still needs handle bar tape and fenders.
I ended up using 700c wheels. The front has dynamo hub.
Sorry for the crappy pic.
I ended up using 700c wheels. The front has dynamo hub.
Sorry for the crappy pic.
Last edited by DVC45; 01-17-12 at 01:28 AM.
#13
Banned
Had to break out the bike wearing the Studded tires, no snow last couple years,
my setup desires changed since I rode it last, so I guess that will be changed , next..
Riser the handlebars. extend the cables.
my setup desires changed since I rode it last, so I guess that will be changed , next..
Riser the handlebars. extend the cables.
#16
born again cyclist
hmmmmm, a designated "bad weather bike" without fenders? interesting.
not the way i would play it, but if it works for you..........
not the way i would play it, but if it works for you..........
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I am even thinking of using friction barend shifters just to make it more bomb proof.
Last edited by DVC45; 01-24-12 at 03:38 PM.
#19
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Lovely bike! I wish I could ride something like that in the winter here (the land of frozen freehub bodies and shifters and derailleurs).
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Now with fenders!
Finally done. Total cost is $315.
' just have to wait now for temps above 40 deg.
Finally done. Total cost is $315.
' just have to wait now for temps above 40 deg.
Last edited by DVC45; 01-28-12 at 08:05 PM.