Beater Bike Smack Down
02-04-14, 08:18 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Beater Bike Smack Down
Hi All, Anyone ever have the same problem I'm experiencing? I'm currently working on a Cannondale T700 and I keep thinking I can polish part X or buy a better part Y when the mission statement is to have a bike that is just to be the beater on those rides where you don't want to use anything else in the fleet.
I'll post up the finished bike later, but in the meantime show us your beater!
Brad
I'll post up the finished bike later, but in the meantime show us your beater!
Brad
02-04-14, 08:28 AM
#2
Have bike, will travel
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Yes, I'm currently completing a 1987-ish Trek 400 for my son. He needs a commuter bike for college. It will probably be stolen, so I'm trying to keep the investment low.
I have purchased new wheels for $125 (lower-end Treks came with lighter-duty wheels in the day). I didn't need new tires, I had a set of almost new Vittoria Rubino Pro-techs, but I purchased a new set of commuter tires with reflective side-walls. If this keeps up, I'll have 150% of market value in the bike.
I blame the winter weather. I should be riding, and I'm inside looking at ways to improve the bikes.
This is will be the second time I've overspent on a Trek 400, I do like the utility of these bikes. The last restored 400 I owned is pictured below. It became a 2x10 with Ultegra derailleurs and Dura-Ace bar ends. It also got Mavic Open Pro rims on Dura Ace hubs. I already had most of the parts from a drivetrain conversion on a modern bike. It sold for a loss after 2 years and 3000 miles of year-around riding. I shouldn't complain.
I have purchased new wheels for $125 (lower-end Treks came with lighter-duty wheels in the day). I didn't need new tires, I had a set of almost new Vittoria Rubino Pro-techs, but I purchased a new set of commuter tires with reflective side-walls. If this keeps up, I'll have 150% of market value in the bike.
I blame the winter weather. I should be riding, and I'm inside looking at ways to improve the bikes.
This is will be the second time I've overspent on a Trek 400, I do like the utility of these bikes. The last restored 400 I owned is pictured below. It became a 2x10 with Ultegra derailleurs and Dura-Ace bar ends. It also got Mavic Open Pro rims on Dura Ace hubs. I already had most of the parts from a drivetrain conversion on a modern bike. It sold for a loss after 2 years and 3000 miles of year-around riding. I shouldn't complain.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 02-04-14 at 08:52 AM.
02-04-14, 08:41 AM
#3
Still learning
When you become an addicted buyer, over time there are so many deals out there, how does one pick a beater? Like other BF members, I have a 1983 Trek 520, a pair of 1987 Tempo/Super Sports, a Motobecane Grand Touring, etc, all acquired for an average of $50. Too nice to be beaters, but the price is right.
On the other hand, I have a Fuji Sagres, found in a trash pile, sans a wheel, that was rusty. I'll have too much time in it, but why not? I sanded and resprayed, salvaging only the seat tube decal, but the clear coat crinkled the paint. So one more time, ugh. I won't buy decals for a beater.
The ARX RD fell off on Interstate 80, but is easily replaced. The steel crankset has been donated to the bike coop, but I have an alloy set ready to mount, from a hi-tensile Centurion Lemans RS. I'd love to add barcon shifters, but like you, why spend $$ on a freebie? It's a beater!
On the other hand, I have a Fuji Sagres, found in a trash pile, sans a wheel, that was rusty. I'll have too much time in it, but why not? I sanded and resprayed, salvaging only the seat tube decal, but the clear coat crinkled the paint. So one more time, ugh. I won't buy decals for a beater.
The ARX RD fell off on Interstate 80, but is easily replaced. The steel crankset has been donated to the bike coop, but I have an alloy set ready to mount, from a hi-tensile Centurion Lemans RS. I'd love to add barcon shifters, but like you, why spend $$ on a freebie? It's a beater!
02-04-14, 08:47 AM
#4
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
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This is my beater - everything was done on the cheap except for the head badge and saddle. I have less than $250 into the complete bike (not counting badge/saddle) and I'm thrilled with how it came out. While it might have been a budget build, it doesn't ride like a budget bike. It blends in and I don't need to worry about scratches, so I love it as my commuter bike that gets parked.
02-04-14, 09:07 AM
#6
Hogosha Sekai
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This is my beater - everything was done on the cheap except for the head badge and saddle. I have less than $250 into the complete bike (not counting badge/saddle) and I'm thrilled with how it came out. While it might have been a budget build, it doesn't ride like a budget bike. It blends in and I don't need to worry about scratches, so I love it as my commuter bike that gets parked.
Oh and here's one of my many beaters.
02-04-14, 08:08 PM
#7
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Everytime I think I am just going to build a grocery getter or run about it starts turning out too nice.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
02-04-14, 08:17 PM
#8
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02-04-14, 09:18 PM
#11
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Hi All, Anyone ever have the same problem I'm experiencing? I'm currently working on a Cannondale T700 and I keep thinking I can polish part X or buy a better part Y when the mission statement is to have a bike that is just to be the beater on those rides where you don't want to use anything else in the fleet.
I'll post up the finished bike later, but in the meantime show us your beater!
Brad
I'll post up the finished bike later, but in the meantime show us your beater!
Brad
__________________
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
2014 Cannondale SuperSix EVO 2
2019 Salsa Warbird
02-04-14, 09:37 PM
#12
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Yes, guilty here, too. I started with a rusty Nishiki I thought would make a decent commuter. But there was a lot of rust under the paint. I really didn't want to repaint it, but pretty soon I found myself stripping and repainting the bike. With new paint, new decals were in order of course. But then the parts needed some TLC to fit in. Now I worry about leaving it out of sight too long. Maybe it will look more like a beater in time...
Last edited by gaucho777; 02-04-14 at 10:36 PM.
02-04-14, 09:41 PM
#13
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I musta missed those posts!!! Hope ya don't rely on that badge "blending" at the rack out by the SEPTA stop!!! Oh sorry... what, you worry?
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02-05-14, 06:30 AM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Know it all too well: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post16423731
Brad
02-05-14, 06:46 AM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Yes, guilty here, too. I started with a rusty Nishiki I thought would make a decent commuter. But there was a lot of rust under the paint. I really didn't want to repaint it, but pretty soon I found myself stripping and repainting the bike. With new paint, new decals were in order of course. But then the parts needed some TLC to fit in. Now I worry about leaving it out of sight too long. Maybe it will look more like a beater in time...
You bring up a good point about leaving a bike unattended. I rode my T bike only once for a grocery run because I just fretted about it while shopping. While I'd hate for the beater to be nicked, it wouldn't be as great of a loss if that makes sense.
Brad
02-05-14, 06:53 AM
#16
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Gets me back and forth to work most days and subsequently the most miles out of the all of my bikes. This is an older pic, it is now a fixed gear.
02-05-14, 07:26 AM
#17
C*pt*i* Obvious
Waaaaay to nice to be a beater, have a look at what people ride in Shanghai sometime for comparison.
The basket is comical, is it more practical then a rear rack?
BTW here is mine: (complete with beater camera phone picture quality)
Last edited by SHBR; 02-05-14 at 07:40 AM.
02-05-14, 07:56 AM
#19
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I have a big wald basket on my errand bike, it's way more practical than a rear rack. Lock? Toss it in the basket. Jacket? Toss it in the basket. Take out? Toss it in the basket? 18 pack of beer? toss it in the basket.
02-05-14, 08:12 AM
#20
C*pt*i* Obvious
The cannondale needs a better picture to show all of the wonderful scratches, more like seriously gouged metal around the chainstay bb area, due to serious chain suck issues in the past. It rides better than it looks, far more stable than the newer bike behind it, lower stance, longer wheelbase, stiffer wheels, frame etc.
02-05-14, 08:16 AM
#21
Vello Kombi, baby
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Beaters are so much more fun to work on. You can do anything to 'em, drape any part you want to on them. This one has multiple parts worth more than the actual bike.
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Last edited by Poguemahone; 02-05-14 at 08:18 AM. Reason: gratuitous imagery
02-05-14, 08:23 AM
#22
Get off my lawn!
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Rails to Trails and Grocery Sales...it now sports a yellow handlebar bag and tatty bar tap.....I often get confused with the homeless when I'm out and about..... a free cup of coffee is kinda nice some days!
02-05-14, 09:37 AM
#24
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02-05-14, 10:11 AM
#25
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Heck, why not? Beaters are more of a spirit type thing. I once used an old Viner for a beater-- the decals were largely gone, the paint didn't all match, it looked ragged. Worked well, but then vintage stuff became better known and I noticed it getting an awful lot of second looks down by VCU, so I caved in and had it redone proper like. The "Huffy" stickers are an inspired hack and probably hide that bike better than the lack of decals did the Viner.
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Waste your money! Buy my comic book!
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Waste your money! Buy my comic book!