SquashCycle Bikes

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Bigblue, I’ve bumped into some $300 bike challenge, so I may have seen it. I’ll have to check it out again and the Hardtail Party.
I’ll call that 66.666667% successful. What’s you choice bar cutting system?
That reminds me that I need to true up my little metal bandsaw.

These particular bars were carbon and on the bike, so I did them by hand with a small, fine tooth hack saw. Otherwise, I'd run them through my Femi bandsaw or mill them on the Bridgeport. Truth be told, I use a pipe cutter for chopping fork steerer tubes and wouldn't be afraid to use one on aluminum bars. I know some people don't like using them, but I really don't see a drawback. If I had a 7/8" Paragon block I would've used it as a guide tonight. These are super handy for general fab, I just didn't have the right size.

https://www.paragonmachineworks.com...ding-tools/tube-blocks/ft4006-tube-block.html

 

[Squashfest81]

The size difference between a 26 and 29 is wild.

 

[Squashfest81]

We added this early 80’s Fuji Monterey to the stable. She is just too clean to leave.

 

[Xti04]

Looking for a new mtb. Buddy sent me a link to devinci bicycles. The kobain is looking like it might fit the bill within the budget. https://www.devinci.com/en/stories/product-launch/kobain-2021/

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Looking for a new mtb. Buddy sent me a link to devinci bicycles. The kobain is looking like it might fit the bill within the budget. https://www.devinci.com/en/stories/product-launch/kobain-2021/

That's a nice looking bike. The new hardtail geometry is awesome. I built up a Nukeproof Scout last April and it's my favorite bike to ride. Nothing beats railing turns or jumps on a hardtail.

 

[Xti04]

I went with a gravel bike last year thinking I could get the best of both worlds and to a degree I can. Ought a set of carbon wheels for road riding, and the stockers for gravel and trails but i just got done swapping pedals and wheels for a ride tomorrow. Would be nice to have a dedicated machine. So once I can get this volvo wagon sold the devinci is the first bike I am going to look at.

 

[driftpin]

I enjoyed your comments on the tandem. Bicycles, like motorcycles take up much-less room than a car or a truck, and the right one can be worth $$$. Plus, bikes are a lot of fun, as-long as you avoid the accidents (below).

A retro-grouch here. No suspension on any of my 26" wheeled-bikes. One I like for the compact nature of it is a vintage Schwinn Montague 26" folding bike, which makes it easy to fit-into a car trunk.

I own one of the first twenty Litespeeds built. When I sent it in from an authorized dealer, they wanted to know, "where's it been?"

I have a Klein Attitude I spec'ed new in 1992. It had Scott-Pedersen self-energizing brakes on it, and top of the line, Shimano XT. The next year, when the XTR gruppo was released I had that installed, and I put the XT stuff, including the wheelsets (Richey rims, XT hubs, and double-butted SS spokes) onto a chrome-moly Jamis. I once had a Trek T100 tandem, but I wasn't getting much use out of it, and I sold it for a profit to an Annapolis MD rider.

I don't ride as-much as I used-to, I got hit by a municipal worker who was paying more-attention to the bikinis at the Atlantic Ocean beach at which he was driving, and after that, I was just out of enthusiasm. I almost died, he stopped as he was about to run-over my head, my helmet wouldn't have done me a bit of good! I was under the front bumper of the municipal vehicle, staring at the tire tread. If I leaned forward a bit, I could have kissed the tire.

I pretty-much gave-up street riding after that.

 

[Squashfest81]

Xti, that Devinci looks badass. Do it!
I find the gravel bike thing interesting. I’ve got a paved bike path, relatively level due to the coast, so it’s ideal single speed riding, the tandem, whatever. Then we have these tight wooded trails off the path that are wet with board crossings. I don’t see the gravel style rocking that. Now a drier, high speed wooded path would be ideal. I just don’t have that. Doesn’t mean I don’t need a gravel bike!
Wait, you can’t sell the Volvo wagon, that’s like perfect roof rack bike world.

 

[Xti04]

Well I only biught the volvo cause it was cheap I have a weangler I normally drive. Took the gravel bike out today and hit some pretty agressive mtb trails. Has to walk in a few sections just too rocky. Not like 3-5 in rocks but like small and medium sized boulder that you have to creep thru. Then hit some smoother trails in a fast flowing section. Even hit a few of the jumps. Finished out with a mile or so of paved greenway riding for the day. Not bad for a 33 degree morning and I beat the rain.

 

[Squashfest81]

Dude, that’s perfect. Planning on dragging my kiddos out for the high of 32 today. It’s sunny though.
Jeeps and bikes just go together. I’m planning on tossing a front hitch on the Silverado to open the bed up when towing. Something just 70’s cool about bikes and a cooler hanging off the front.
I’d love to toss a rack on the cab, but the wife would freak if she saw me drilling through the roof. “Just a little silicone honey, no worries!”

 

[Squashfest81]

That’s scary stuff driftpin! I’m lucky where I am I don’t have the crowds, but accidents happen everywhere.
I’m so drawn to that early 90’s mountain stuff. The classic bike look, the colors, simplicity...

 

[Squashfest81]

Got the fam out for an awesome walk in the cold. Even bumped into an old friend that moved out to Cali over a decade ago. Cool!
Anyway, moved the road bikes hooks around to hang the Fuji and 1 empty slot.
While out there I needed to give the bike tools a designated drawer under the lathe bench to get them easily accessible.

 

[Xti04]

I see you too have the allthread and washers setup for head sets? Got one of those setups myself.

 

[driftpin]

I see you too have the allthread and washers setup for head sets? Got one of those setups myself.

I know you're referring-to the home-made bearing cup-setting tool. The Park Tool for headsets can be used on motorcycles too. It's a robust tool, and sets press-in outer bearing races straight and true, quickly.

The early '90's mountain bikes, and my '92 Klein Attitude: it has the large dia./thin-gauge 6061-T6 Ride Control fork, with the integral one-piece aluminum stem and handlebar, which they called the Mission Control. That was cutting-edge tech. I used Ritchey 2.35" tires, and the bike weighs 23-1/2 lbs with its single-butted and double-butted 6061-T6 Al tubing, and a Selle Italia Flite seat.

One thing all Kleins were known for was the variety of wild paint schemes. Mine came with something I believe was called Tequila Sunrise, triple-fade. Overall, the paint has lasted well.

The things I liked best were your power stroke goes to pushing you down the path, not flexing the frame; precise steering, and the unmistakable appearance of the combination of 'fat' tubes, the 'fat' fork and the 1-piece stem/handlebar, in fantastic patterns and colors. It's a keeper, since-new.

 

[Squashfest81]

I’m liking the “mission control.” All 1 piece welded up stem and bars. I think I need to talk to an aluminum welding buddy.
Check this paint called “backfire!” I’ve got a bare aluminum frame going, but maybe the 29er Diamondback project needs some wild fluorescent fade spray bomb.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QhU97rvm...PP_qIWtjEY0obvO-4q05U3qgCjg/s1600/Klein+2.jpg

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Those Klein's were amazingly beautiful bikes; still look great to this day.

 

[Squashfest81]

Here’s the Gary Fisher project Sugar 4+ frame all stripped to bare aluminum. Come spring the plan is to clean up and move over all the components from the Gary Fisher Bitter. Then we will have a Gary Fisher Sugar 4+ full suspension disk brake classic 26in wheeled bike.

 

[Squashfest81]

The only frame mod.
I was concerned hacking off the soon to be un-needed brake mounts, but that rivet gave me confidence. Drilled off the rivet head and hit the mount with the grinder. Yup, the heat melted the glue and the mounts came right off.

 

[Squashfest81]

Had to save this 1991 Trek 950 with all this classic mtb talk. It’s got a bunch of corrosion on the aluminum components, I’m thinking left outside in this ocean air, but it should clean up. Last of the steel butted frame Treks, this funky almost black purple, 90’s Deore, classic look!

 

[Squashfest81]

Here’s the 950 hung for storage. I’m going for just a clean, lube, and aluminum polish.
Today I’m going to try and get the girls Fuji stripped for the frame switch.

 

[Squashfest81]

All that looks too far gone on the 950 are the Deore LX derailleur’s. The excitement, I pulled these off a bike months ago that was trashed!

 

[Xti04]

So after all the deliberation and going back and forth and general unavailability of anything around here, I may have finally lucked into adeal on a bike. A buddy has a like new trek x caliber 9 2019 model that he has ridden just a few times. I offered him a grand for it and I think hes gonna take it. Only two things I will need to do would be dropper post and a 1 by crankset. If it works out it also saves me about 650 over anything else I was looking at!

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

So after all the deliberation and going back and forth and general unavailability of anything around here, I may have finally lucked into adeal on a bike. A buddy has a like new trek x caliber 9 2019 model that he has ridden just a few times. I offered him a grand for it and I think hes gonna take it. Only two things I will need to do would be dropper post and a 1 by crankset. If it works out it also saves me about 650 over anything else I was looking at!

You should be able to just buy a 1x chainring for whatever crank you have. I've done a few lately and have used RaceFace and OneUp chainrings depending on what's available. You may need some chainring spacers depending on your setup, but those are only a few bucks.

As far as droppers, I have had a RaceFace, a Bike Yoke, and 2 models from PNW. Both PNW's are my favorite. Their Loam post with Loam Lever is worth the money vs cheaper options.

 

[Xti04]

You should be able to just buy a 1x chainring for whatever crank you have. I've done a few lately and have used RaceFace and OneUp chainrings depending on what's available. You may need some chainring spacers depending on your setup, but those are only a few bucks.

As far as droppers, I have had a RaceFace, a Bike Yoke, and 2 models from PNW. Both PNW's are my favorite. Their Loam post with Loam Lever is worth the money vs cheaper options.

Good to know! I had a sram 1x crankset picked out and in my cart, I have a buddy who always just throws a si gle ring on his 3x or 2x cranks and runs that. Hadnt really considered getting a 1x ring. As far as a dropper post I havent got into looking at them yet but its good to get a recommendation. Buddy just texted and it sounds like its a done deal. going to pick bike up tomorrow!

 

[Xti04]

So after one ride on the trek, I came home and tore it down to remove that plastic ring behind the cassette, pulled chain off for a dip in my special wax, and replaced the pedals with a new set of platforms since the plastic ones were scary on the trail. Reassembled the cassette after removing that spoke guard ring and now my freehub sound like a wheel bearing has gone out on a trailer. The noise coming from it is awful but only when it freewheels. Bike is brand new, the bearings are smooth, could it have a stuck pawl?

 

[Squashfest81]

Xti, I was excited to hear about the X Caliber... Then, that sound must be just something stupid. Do some investigating. Lube? Something? Keep us in the loop.

 

[Xti04]

Well tore it down pulled freehub and then took it to the local trek dealer. He listened to it and said "its a cheap bike and I cant guarantee that a new one wont sound like that" . So I brought it home reassembled it all and rode it. Does fine just so noisy compared to my gravel bike. The chain helps dampen the vibration some, nothing visible thats wrong. So after riding it again tonight, I broke down and threw money at the problem. I ordered this to fix it.
https://www.commencalusa.com/Mobile/meta-ht-am-ride-2021-dirt-c2x32568037

 

[Squashfest81]

Xti, dude, I thought you were going back to that Kobain? What is going on over there?

 

[Xti04]

The kobain is months out. I got the trek cheap and pretty much have it sold for a profit. The only thing that ***** is the commencal was 1499 last week. Now its 100 bucks more so I lost out by not ordering it a week ago. With the slack head angles. Its not like buying a roadie where there is not much difference. so many different styles of mtb! Im excited for it to get here. If I could figure out posting pics I would throw some up on here.

 

[Squashfest81]

Check out imgbb.com
It’s free to set up an account. All my pics are taken with the iPhone, then I dump pics I want to post into imgbb.com, edit to that 700 by whatever size, copy the full image bb link, and paste it in my message. Boom! I find it stupid easy and that’s my main criteria.
Now post up.

 

[Xti04]

Been trying to find a hosting site since photobucket becamena bunch of money grubbin nazis. Will give it a try and post up some pics of my projects

 

[Xti04]

Heres the trek

 

[Squashfest81]

That’s a nice looking Trek Xti!
Made a little bike progress today. I grabbed an early 80’s Fugi Supreme to scavenge some parts, mostly the stem and cranks. I’ve got single speeds on the brain lately, which make sense where I am because it’s all flat. The Fuji crank is an elegant 5 spoke, perfect. Got it stripped and scrapped the garbage.
Then I got to making one Fuji out of the 2 Thrills. Got the fork and bb cleaned up and mounted. Sadly, I couldn’t use the girls fork as it had a longer tube. I would have cut it down if it was threaded further. Oh well, mounted the guys fork and will just have to live with the abundance of scrapes.
I’d like to get the brakes on tomorrow. Pics when she’s together.

 

[old-air-performance]

What you could do to that cheap freehub is, if it is allready back on your wheel.
Take of the cassette, take out the bearing and axle.
Then spray a good amount of wd40 on the inside, where the threads for mounting the cassette are. As you can see, there is a small gap between the housing and the sealring.
Then you spin the freehub, normally you quickly feel that it spins better.
Then you blow it with some air.
Afther that you do the same, but with some thin lubricating oil.

After that, that's the best you can get those cheap freehubs.

Kind regards, Toon

 

[Xti04]

What you could do to that cheap freehub is, if it is allready back on your wheel.
Take of the cassette, take out the bearing and axle.
Then spray a good amount of wd40 on the inside, where the threads for mounting the cassette are. As you can see, there is a small gap between the housing and the sealring.
Then you spin the freehub, normally you quickly feel that it spins better.
Then you blow it with some air.
Afther that you do the same, but with some thin lubricating oil.

After that, that's the best you can get those cheap freehubs.

Kind regards, Toon

Toon, while it was apart I loaded it up with a generous amount of thin oil to try amdnget it to quieten down. Cleaned everything and made sure axles went back with a thin film of grease to make everything play nice. The effect of the lube was minimal. Still rode it anyhow. Bike rides perfect I just found the noise level to be unacceptable for a bike in that price range. I know its not a 8k full carbon bike, but my 1000 dollar giant is dead quiet compared to that thing. Anyhow its now up for sale if anybody wants a great xc bike with a noisy freehub. Will have a bike box next week and not afraid to ship it to anywhere.

 

[JoshR77]

You have got to hang them. I’m extremely space limited. Just overhead in my shed shop are the Motobecane, Raleigh, Gary Fisher, the Fuji project, and a chrome Mongoose. On the side is an older girls 3spd, the muscle bike, and the 29er hybrid project.
I’m going to tighten up the road bikes to fit 2 more and 1 more mountain bike slot. I’m going for like 9 overhead and accessible. Grab and go.

Nice way to get some space!

 

[Squashfest81]

Thanks R77. I rearranged the hooks and created 2 more road bike slots and 1 mountain slot.
Not exciting, but I got the cantilever brake stuff back on along with the deraileurs. Next up is to get her all cabled up. Also super glued this crack on the brake lever cover, might as well.

 

[Squashfest81]

Wowee! Right?
I know what you’re thinking, but that’s the underside.

 

[Xti04]

Super glue and baking soda make a hell of a bond. I use that on a lot of plastics with good sucess.

 

[Squashfest81]

I thought about going soda, but I went total ghetto fiberglass with superglue and a paper towel backer to span the crack.