What kind of bike gets the most mods?
01-25-10, 09:43 PM
#1
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What kind of bike gets the most mods?
There's a thread going on where some folk have done some crazy builds on Raleigh Sports. Then again, the clunker folk started the MTB thing with old Schwinns. I've seen some pretty wild Peugoet UO-8s on this forum, and some creative SuperCourses and SuperSports.
What's your vote?
What's your vote?
01-25-10, 10:54 PM
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Careful, this is non Bikes Direct zone. 
01-25-10, 11:01 PM
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Think it depends more on the person than the actual type of bike. I havent owned too many bikes I haven't changed up drastically, especially when it came/comes to road bikes.
01-26-10, 06:13 AM
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Schwinn Varsity
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01-26-10, 06:16 AM
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Raleigh Twenty's and their many variants.
01-26-10, 06:32 AM
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01-26-10, 07:26 AM
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+1, no question about it.
At least, if the question is what model of bike gets the most mods, it's gotta be the Twenty.
But it also comes down to original purpose vs present.
I have a couple bikes I intentionally leave as close to stock as possible; but most of my bikes are in a near constant state of change.
At least, if the question is what model of bike gets the most mods, it's gotta be the Twenty.
But it also comes down to original purpose vs present.
I have a couple bikes I intentionally leave as close to stock as possible; but most of my bikes are in a near constant state of change.
01-26-10, 07:27 AM
#11
Banned.
To keep them rideable, and upgrade a bit:
UO-8's and steel Schwinns, (too many models to list)
To keep them rideable and upgrade in general:
Lots of Treks, both steel and aluminum, from the 80's and early 90's
Centurions and that mid-late 80's family of Japanese lugged steel
To keep them squarely in service as intended:
Miyata 1000, Specialized Expedition, Trek 520, etc, the steel touring bikes from the 80's seem to be modified a lot and keep on trucking along.
Just what I've seen. Necessary modifications differ a bit from the elective modifications.
UO-8 riders are kind of like the Schwinn fans, they'll do what it takes to keep their frames on the road.
The Trek/Centurion/etc fans seem to balance the useful value of the frame/component upgrade with an inclination not to buy newer bikes.
The touring crowd will let go of those when you pry their dead cold fingers from them.
The Raleigh 20 crowd, well, they're in a class by themselves. Dedicated.
UO-8's and steel Schwinns, (too many models to list)
To keep them rideable and upgrade in general:
Lots of Treks, both steel and aluminum, from the 80's and early 90's
Centurions and that mid-late 80's family of Japanese lugged steel
To keep them squarely in service as intended:
Miyata 1000, Specialized Expedition, Trek 520, etc, the steel touring bikes from the 80's seem to be modified a lot and keep on trucking along.
Just what I've seen. Necessary modifications differ a bit from the elective modifications.
UO-8 riders are kind of like the Schwinn fans, they'll do what it takes to keep their frames on the road.
The Trek/Centurion/etc fans seem to balance the useful value of the frame/component upgrade with an inclination not to buy newer bikes.
The touring crowd will let go of those when you pry their dead cold fingers from them.
The Raleigh 20 crowd, well, they're in a class by themselves. Dedicated.
01-26-10, 07:33 AM
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01-26-10, 07:37 AM
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01-26-10, 07:41 AM
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+1 Kind of a tie, between the old UO8 and the Varsities. I have owned several of each model. Having grown up with a UO8, although being a low end bike, you could turn it into something competitive weight wise with some selective upgrades. So it invited upgrades. The Varsity on the other hand is bullet proof, so there seems to be an endless supply of them out there, and the EF Schwinns have a certain, appealing, nostalgic look to them that few other bikes can match (at least to me).
01-26-10, 08:02 AM
#16
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For me, it's been the Raleigh Super Course, particularly the early 1970s versions. I think the only time I had one set up as stock was to sell it off on eBay. The relatively lightweight straight-gauge 531 frame, lack of derailleur hanger, and middle-of-the-road frame angles can lead to all sorts of mods:
A 3-speed with a Sturmey Archer AM hub in 27" wheels and drop bars:
Single speed w/ Albatross bars:
Townie 3-speed:
Five speed porteur:
A repainted 3-speed:
Neal
A 3-speed with a Sturmey Archer AM hub in 27" wheels and drop bars:
Single speed w/ Albatross bars:
Townie 3-speed:
Five speed porteur:
A repainted 3-speed:
Neal
01-26-10, 01:53 PM
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....when you finely find and buy the first bike to actually fit you (69cm frame see sig)... and it needs a top tube replaced... means new paint... means braze-ons added... means I always loved mafac canti brakes... means I may as well get the custom rack... with the dynamo and headlight mounts... hehe
, rest assured I doubt I will ever do this to another bike
, rest assured I doubt I will ever do this to another bike
01-26-10, 09:45 PM
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Hey, Nlerner, didn't I see that blue SuperCourse on Ebay a couple of years ago? Those are all great looking bikes.
My Supercourse is my favorite bike out of the hundred or so that I've flipped or stripped over the years. It's come a long way from the scrap heap where I found it. There might be a dozen origional parts left. Most recently I modified some fenders off a Phillips 3speed (Raleigh Sport) to fit. They look great. Almost the same amount of rust as the rest of the bike.
My Supercourse is my favorite bike out of the hundred or so that I've flipped or stripped over the years. It's come a long way from the scrap heap where I found it. There might be a dozen origional parts left. Most recently I modified some fenders off a Phillips 3speed (Raleigh Sport) to fit. They look great. Almost the same amount of rust as the rest of the bike.
01-26-10, 09:57 PM
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+1 on whatever bike I own.
I'm not happy unless I've tried every part from every other bike I have on the "bike project of the month"
I'm not happy unless I've tried every part from every other bike I have on the "bike project of the month"
01-27-10, 08:13 AM
#20
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Neal
