An idea for my wife's bike

[Dr. Tankenstein]

I wanted to run an idea past my RRB brethren. On MY list of bikes to build in the near future is one for my wife.
Now, while she appreciates and (to a point) supports my 'custom' bike building hobby, she would prefer to just buy one complete. Granted, there are numerous new bike options that are great, Electra, Felt, Nirve, etc... But I'd really like to see her on a vintage machine. Furthermore, she's into 'antiques' and loves the look of vintage bikes.

So, here's the idea that popped into my head. For starters, her riding would be very light, tooling around the park kinda stuff, probably less than 5 miles at a time. Second, she's 5' 1" and has difficulty with the height of a 26" bike, unless the seat tube is rather short.

Here's what I'm thinking, I envision a 24" fendered balloon bike with a 3-speed coaster. What if, I purchase a CHEAP mass produced bike as a donor, something like this Micargi (I know, I know, give me a minute to explain) and strip of parts that are essentially the same make/quality (everything is made overseas anyway) as ones from a name brand bike, then purchase a good vintage frame/fork and move the parts to it?

I will preface the rest of this by stating that I DO NOT have a stash of parts to pull from and my area is slim on ‘cruiser’ bikes to purchase from CL (what is available, Double Nickle buys anyways :wink: :mrgreen: ). So, parts KILL me with shipping. Based on that, the bike pictured is around $240 shipped to me. For that money I could pirate:

Nexus 3-speed coaster hub w/shifter (~$75 + shipping value)
Painted alloy wheelset that’s already lace to the hub (~$40+ shipping value)
Tires and tubes (~$40 + shipping value)
Crank and sprocket (~$25 + shipping value)
Pedals (~$15 + shipping value)
Fenders (~$30 + shipping value)
Saddle (~$25 + shipping value)
Seatpost (~$15 + shipping value)
Headset (~$15 + shipping value)
Stem (~$15 + shipping value)
Handlebars (~$15 + shipping value)
Grips (~$15 + shipping value)
Total: ~$325 + shipping in parts! That's probaly close to $400

I figure, even if I drop a $100 on a frame/fork (which is not likely), in the end she’ll have a 195?-6? custom 3-speed cruiser for less than a comparable Electra, Felt, Nirve, etc…

Thoughts?

Cheers,
Dr. T

 

[A.S.BOLTNUT]

Great idea ! and i'm not saying that just because i have a 24'' westernflyer frame for you ! :wink:

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

HAHAHAHAHA!!! The key word in this plan is future... :mrgreen:

 

[A.S.BOLTNUT]

OOOPS :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[skillsthebarber]

I actually just had the same issue. I built my wife a 26" and its way to big for her, now I have to go the 24" route. The issues I see should be easy for you to overcome.

The axles on the new wheels are larger so you will have to file the dropouts to fit.

The new seatpost will be to big for the old one so you will have to get one.

The fender braces on the bike you pictured are made to go in a specific hole, so you would have to modify the braces or get new ones that attach to the axle.

The Bottom bracket may or may not be the same size.

thats all I can think of off hand, but those should all be easy fixes


good luck

 

[gowjobs]

Sounds like a decent plan. I've had a similar scheme in mind, except I wanted to do a hand-tooled springer seat with a funny, turn-of-the-century theme to top it off.

 

[KJV]

my wife is 5'2" & the she doesn't like the 24",
her preference is 26".she only rides 20-30 miles a day.

 

[KOTA]

I've bought those bikes (pic), to sell, before. People LOVED them! The only thing I can say is buy the vintage frame FIRST, paint it, what ever. Because if she trys the NEWer bike assembled, she'll never let you part it to another bike.......GOOD LUCK!

 

[SCHWINNRAY69]

Or do this...... :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[/quote]

 

[Road Master]

Hi Dr. T! I was looking at Micargi bikes here awhile back so I went to the sites that I was referencing and I couldn't find any bike Micargi or otherwise with the same or comparable components for less money than what you've already come up with. I think you have an excellent plan and I would go with it. Good luck and have fun! Robert

 

[clamdigger]

something to at least consider; not everyone is comfortable with using a coaster brake setup. it's not about stopping, it is about starting from a standstill and not being able to spin the pedals backwards to a good position.so check with her on her preferences

 

[Carbon]

Here's what I'm thinking, I envision a 24" fendered balloon bike with a 3-speed coaster. What if, I purchase a CHEAP mass produced bike as a donor, something like this Micargi (I know, I know, give me a minute to explain) and strip of parts that are essentially the same make/quality (everything is made overseas anyway) as ones from a name brand bike, then purchase a good vintage frame/fork and move the parts to it?

Thoughts?

Cheers,
Dr. T

Great Idea. Thats actually exactly what I am doing with the RX-5 Frame I have coming in from Bri-in-Ri, I have a really nice new Huffy thats getting parted when the Columbia arrives, its gonna have all new parts on it, plan on ridin that bad boy before bedtime the day it gets here. 8)