A while ago I promised some pictures of my builds. There was not much time to post new pictures lately (a new familymember is coming ). And a lot of picture hosting sites are not free anymore, or only temporarily.
I always have some bicycles to build and create, so I thought: Let's just create one build thread!
An overview of my current projects: (November 2019)
1: My girlfriends mommy-bicycle. In short: This was a Lapierre Sit & Go bicycle. Mounted with Hope brakes and a Topeak rear rack. A lot of expensive stuff. My girlfriend wanted a sturdy bicycle to haul groceries, kids and camping equipment.
2: My Concorde American Eagle. A retro mountainbike with some self-made racks for bikepacking.
3: A future project: An American "Ranger" bicycle (beach cruiser).
4: My 24inch klunker, quite finished, but happy to share. Still biking everywhere!
(I hope these pictures actually work)
1: Girlfriends bicycle:
The original bicycle is a custom built Lapierre Sit & Go with Sram X0 drivetrain, 27.5 inch wheels, and purple Hope parts. She really liked the bicycle, but she wanted something sturdier and with a lower frame.
I went searching for a second hand "donor" bicycle with 26inch wheels: It would be a Sparta Amazone:
This is how the original Sparta bike looks like.
I removed all parts from the frame, sold the wheels and fabricated some parts to fit the disc-brake:
Disc brake conversion. It is bolted on, because I don't like welding aluminum without heat-treating.
After a general fit of all components, I brought the frame to a powdercoater, which painted it RAL5021 "waterblue":
Lookin' good!
Last weekend I started the (dis)assembly of all the parts: From the Lappiere to the fresh blue Amazone frame. And this is how it looks at this point:
2: Concorde American Eagle.
I always wanted to buy a "Achielle Oscar" or a "Surly" bicycle frame to convert it to a bikepacking rig. After a while I saw this bicycle: A very cheap, retro mountainbike, sold by a old lady in my town and it came in my size! The frame has the right length, but is a bit lower.
This is how I bought the bicycle:
After removing all the parts, I found out that the frame is in mint condition: Only some scratches on the outside, but no rust on the inside!
I decided to keep the original paint and I waxed the entire frame on the inside, to keep it in good shape.
I also welded some stainless steel racks/panniers to carry bags. I am very curious about a front loading bicycle, so the rear racks are much cleaner and lower, and mounted on the rear rim-brake mounting points.
Front rack fitting with bags.
The next set of pictures shows the bicycle in its current state. Just some finishing to do.
I am still thinking about the fenders: Put fenders on the bike or not?
The American Eagle features these parts:
-Felt front fork.
-BMX CrMo handlebars.
-Shimano Alivio Shadow derailleur. Narrow wide chainring on the front.
-Sturmey Archer hubs with drum brakes (inspiration from the "Hack Bike Derby").
-Brooks saddle.
-26inch mountainbike wheels with stainless steel spokes.
-Stainless steel racks and carriers.
3: Beach cruiser, brand unknown. A possible future project.
I got this bike for free a while ago. It says "Original American" and "Ranger" on the chrome frame. It does not feature a "Ashtabula" bottom bracket, although it is threaded.
It is a very heavy bike with a coaster brake.
I am thinking of keeping it original, but I don't know if this is a rare special bicycle or not. Does any of you forum members know?
So if you guys know anything on this bike: Thanks for the help in advance!
4: My 24inch steel Klunker mountainbike.
This project is done, but I like to swap parts and pieces from time to time.
How did my klunker came to be? Well, me and my friends like mountainbiking. There are some sweet singletrack trails in my area.
After some time people started buying more expensive stuff for their mountainbikes and everybody seemed to forget the fun part... It was all about discussing parts, weight and price.
So I sold my 26inch Cube mountainbike to relive old times: A cheap singlespeed, steel bike.
I bought a cruiser bike, sold remaining parts and got a cruiser frame almost for free!
I ditched the cheap ashabula crank (a big fan of good quality ashtabula's here!) and re-fitted a adapter with a square taper shaft. + an extra cover to keep mud away.
With a Sturmey Archer S1C rear hub (the coaster brake bites!), Felt Berm Master tires (24x3) and 24inch BMX staystrong wheels, this thing is by far the most fun bicycle I ever had!!
Thanks for taking a look and feel free to ask questions!
More updates will follow.
I always have some bicycles to build and create, so I thought: Let's just create one build thread!
An overview of my current projects: (November 2019)
1: My girlfriends mommy-bicycle. In short: This was a Lapierre Sit & Go bicycle. Mounted with Hope brakes and a Topeak rear rack. A lot of expensive stuff. My girlfriend wanted a sturdy bicycle to haul groceries, kids and camping equipment.
2: My Concorde American Eagle. A retro mountainbike with some self-made racks for bikepacking.
3: A future project: An American "Ranger" bicycle (beach cruiser).
4: My 24inch klunker, quite finished, but happy to share. Still biking everywhere!
(I hope these pictures actually work)
1: Girlfriends bicycle:
The original bicycle is a custom built Lapierre Sit & Go with Sram X0 drivetrain, 27.5 inch wheels, and purple Hope parts. She really liked the bicycle, but she wanted something sturdier and with a lower frame.
I went searching for a second hand "donor" bicycle with 26inch wheels: It would be a Sparta Amazone:
This is how the original Sparta bike looks like.
I removed all parts from the frame, sold the wheels and fabricated some parts to fit the disc-brake:
Disc brake conversion. It is bolted on, because I don't like welding aluminum without heat-treating.
After a general fit of all components, I brought the frame to a powdercoater, which painted it RAL5021 "waterblue":
Lookin' good!
Last weekend I started the (dis)assembly of all the parts: From the Lappiere to the fresh blue Amazone frame. And this is how it looks at this point:
2: Concorde American Eagle.
I always wanted to buy a "Achielle Oscar" or a "Surly" bicycle frame to convert it to a bikepacking rig. After a while I saw this bicycle: A very cheap, retro mountainbike, sold by a old lady in my town and it came in my size! The frame has the right length, but is a bit lower.
This is how I bought the bicycle:
After removing all the parts, I found out that the frame is in mint condition: Only some scratches on the outside, but no rust on the inside!
I decided to keep the original paint and I waxed the entire frame on the inside, to keep it in good shape.
I also welded some stainless steel racks/panniers to carry bags. I am very curious about a front loading bicycle, so the rear racks are much cleaner and lower, and mounted on the rear rim-brake mounting points.
Front rack fitting with bags.
The next set of pictures shows the bicycle in its current state. Just some finishing to do.
I am still thinking about the fenders: Put fenders on the bike or not?
The American Eagle features these parts:
-Felt front fork.
-BMX CrMo handlebars.
-Shimano Alivio Shadow derailleur. Narrow wide chainring on the front.
-Sturmey Archer hubs with drum brakes (inspiration from the "Hack Bike Derby").
-Brooks saddle.
-26inch mountainbike wheels with stainless steel spokes.
-Stainless steel racks and carriers.
3: Beach cruiser, brand unknown. A possible future project.
I got this bike for free a while ago. It says "Original American" and "Ranger" on the chrome frame. It does not feature a "Ashtabula" bottom bracket, although it is threaded.
It is a very heavy bike with a coaster brake.
I am thinking of keeping it original, but I don't know if this is a rare special bicycle or not. Does any of you forum members know?
So if you guys know anything on this bike: Thanks for the help in advance!
4: My 24inch steel Klunker mountainbike.
This project is done, but I like to swap parts and pieces from time to time.
How did my klunker came to be? Well, me and my friends like mountainbiking. There are some sweet singletrack trails in my area.
After some time people started buying more expensive stuff for their mountainbikes and everybody seemed to forget the fun part... It was all about discussing parts, weight and price.
So I sold my 26inch Cube mountainbike to relive old times: A cheap singlespeed, steel bike.
I bought a cruiser bike, sold remaining parts and got a cruiser frame almost for free!
I ditched the cheap ashabula crank (a big fan of good quality ashtabula's here!) and re-fitted a adapter with a square taper shaft. + an extra cover to keep mud away.
With a Sturmey Archer S1C rear hub (the coaster brake bites!), Felt Berm Master tires (24x3) and 24inch BMX staystrong wheels, this thing is by far the most fun bicycle I ever had!!
Thanks for taking a look and feel free to ask questions!
More updates will follow.
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