Pre-Trek with the two piece seat stays. There are two up there, at least one is the race lite, maybe both, can't even remember, sadly.
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SquashCycle Bikes
- Thread starter Squashfest81
- Start date
Pre-Trek with the two piece seat stays. There are two up there, at least one is the race lite, maybe both, can't even remember, sadly.
Had a thing for the e-stays for sure. I've a first year Alien, Scott Ultimate, later aluminum Haro Extreme, and elsewhere is an Alpinestars Al-Mega.
I just watched one of his videos a couple weeks ago.... really cool.
I totally get that about modern bikes, so I just avoid riding them
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slowtwitch73
Well-known member
I spent a summer riding a Ti Mega with massive straight blade Al fork and Softtride stem.. my god that thing was nuts..amazing I'm alive.
I grew up fairly close to where Mantis bikes were built (Richard C designer of Nishikis) and fell in with his riding group for a few years. Was lucky enough to have a Valkyrie, Flying V and Pro Floater through the years. "I was there man"
I grew up fairly close to where Mantis bikes were built (Richard C designer of Nishikis) and fell in with his riding group for a few years. Was lucky enough to have a Valkyrie, Flying V and Pro Floater through the years. "I was there man"
I spent a summer riding a Ti Mega with massive straight blade Al fork and Softtride stem.. my god that thing was nuts..amazing I'm alive.
I grew up fairly close to where Mantis bikes were built (Richard C designer of Nishikis) and fell in with his riding group for a few years. Was lucky enough to have a Valkyrie, Flying V and Pro Floater through the years. "I was there man"
That sounds hideous and cool!
I've spent many hours drooling over Valkyries...... don't even care how bad they ride, they are literal art.
The worst thing I rode was probably the bike I pieced together in '92. A steel GT with an early (in the US) Marzocchi fork, a single 34 tooth chainring in front and a Sachs 3x7 hub out back. Smacked the scales at about 32 pounds.
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
I Liked that Sachs stuff.. the rear derailers were nicely finished.
Yeah, luckily at the age I had the Valkyrie the cool factor superseded any objective thinking about ride. I did bust the drive chain stay. It got replaced with a beefier stay which also broke which is how I got the Flying V. Not a robust configuration.
The guy at Vulture Cycles did a modern take on the Valkyrie.. 29er and bigger tubes etc.
Yeah, luckily at the age I had the Valkyrie the cool factor superseded any objective thinking about ride. I did bust the drive chain stay. It got replaced with a beefier stay which also broke which is how I got the Flying V. Not a robust configuration.
The guy at Vulture Cycles did a modern take on the Valkyrie.. 29er and bigger tubes etc.
OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
Agreed on the 90’s funky stuff. I’m really thinking the Trek 950 will get the fork sprayed a 90’s hot pink. I need a neon green and hot pink ski jacket too...
Haven’t touched the bikes in a while, so I snuck to the shed for about 5 minutes to figure out what is with the Fuji derailleur. Measured the twin bb and the lengths are the same on both sides. Hmmmm? Wait, the derailleur just doesn’t move at all. Pull it off. Huh, the cable lock bolt is on the wrong side pinning the movement against the adjustment screws. Lol, all fixed.
This week the brakes will be fixed and she will be shifting.
Next pic is of the Fuji on the trail!
Haven’t touched the bikes in a while, so I snuck to the shed for about 5 minutes to figure out what is with the Fuji derailleur. Measured the twin bb and the lengths are the same on both sides. Hmmmm? Wait, the derailleur just doesn’t move at all. Pull it off. Huh, the cable lock bolt is on the wrong side pinning the movement against the adjustment screws. Lol, all fixed.
This week the brakes will be fixed and she will be shifting.
Next pic is of the Fuji on the trail!
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
Squash, I feel like your thread is turning into the board's bike thread.....
I just picked up this 2015 Free Agent Team Mini for my 5yo daughter. I put some new bars, grips, pedals, and a short reach brake lever on it. Tore it all down and did a full tune up on it. Had her first BMX practice last night and she did great! A couple of bad crashed finally took it's toll, but she says she wants to go back next week!
I just picked up this 2015 Free Agent Team Mini for my 5yo daughter. I put some new bars, grips, pedals, and a short reach brake lever on it. Tore it all down and did a full tune up on it. Had her first BMX practice last night and she did great! A couple of bad crashed finally took it's toll, but she says she wants to go back next week!
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BB&G thats awesome! Im taking my kids to the bike park as we speak. Its their first time ever hitting a pump track! I think I am more excited than they will be! Waiting on school to let out right now already loaded up and ready to thrash!
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
Good luck man! I took her for the first time to a local bike park last week. I'm not going to lie, I get pretty stoked on it all. I started to chuckle to myself when I was tuning the bike; I was tuning it like she was going to the Grand Nationals, yet the reality of the situation is she's just going to wreck it 15 times every time she rides it for a while. 
I have to remember not to push her just because I love it. All of the dad's last night were talking about getting BMX bikes or dusting off their old bikes to go racing......I'm trying to avoid the temptation and stick with my mountain bikes. Guys are all the same, we want to do all of the cool stuff.
I have to remember not to push her just because I love it. All of the dad's last night were talking about getting BMX bikes or dusting off their old bikes to go racing......I'm trying to avoid the temptation and stick with my mountain bikes. Guys are all the same, we want to do all of the cool stuff.
OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
Bigblue, yeah, that’s awesome! You mentioned a team. Is she on a bmx team? I never heard of that stuff around me. I was never into bmx. I need to get on the google and look for track. Trails I have, but tracks...?
Xti, you too? Nice!
I spent about 30 minutes getting super frustrated messing with the shifting on the Fugi. Had to take a break. Grrrrrr.
Xti, you too? Nice!
I spent about 30 minutes getting super frustrated messing with the shifting on the Fugi. Had to take a break. Grrrrrr.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
The "Team" refers to the spec level of the bike; supposedly what their factory sponsored riders use. In this case Team is the highest spec (better brakes, sealed bearings, carbon fiber fork, better wheelset).
I'm 100% new to BMX, but there are teams. At our local track there is a team that consists of all ages, 5yo all the way up to 50+. I'm not sure how they work, but they have matching jerseys and run a lot of the same equipment. I don't know if they have their own coaching/practice sessions?
Xti04, how was the pump track?
I'm 100% new to BMX, but there are teams. At our local track there is a team that consists of all ages, 5yo all the way up to 50+. I'm not sure how they work, but they have matching jerseys and run a lot of the same equipment. I don't know if they have their own coaching/practice sessions?
Xti04, how was the pump track?
Was awesome! Boys had a blast. My older son loved the gravel pump tracks they have over the asphalt. His little brother wrecked about 15 times but held his own and had a good time. Hes asking right now if we can go again this afternoon.
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Kids bike are so cool these days...
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
That track looks really nice, glad to hear they are hooked!
OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
Been trying to grab this saddle off the Facebook for the past few weeks. Finally.
OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
All the cool kids online have Brooks saddles!
Here she is cleaned and mink oiled. Ready for the Supercourse.
Cool pedals to go on too.
Here she is cleaned and mink oiled. Ready for the Supercourse.
Cool pedals to go on too.
OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
On the 71 Supercourse from page 1. I like that old look.
Anyone know how to date a Brooks saddle?
Anyone know how to date a Brooks saddle?
OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
A buddy came by with this.
I don’t have a mixtie yet! Getting closer to all styles, lol.
Raleigh Sprite 10. Cool metallic root beer. It’s a 27in wheel. I assumed it would be 26. I’d like to make it an old school 26in internal 3 speed. Need to look into that.
I don’t have a mixtie yet! Getting closer to all styles, lol.
Raleigh Sprite 10. Cool metallic root beer. It’s a 27in wheel. I assumed it would be 26. I’d like to make it an old school 26in internal 3 speed. Need to look into that.
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Picked up a matching cannondale 20 incher for my 5 year old today, identical to his brothers, had a scratch on the handlebars so I got a discount on it. I cant wait to take him back to the bike park again. Gonna try and go tomorrow if we can make it work. The hand brakes made a world of difference, hoping now he will leave his dang feet on the pedals!
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
I've noticed the hand brakes are hard for the young kids, but being able to pedal the cranks backwards is a huge help. I ended up having to put a short reach lever (adjusted as far in as possible) for my daughter to be able to use them. I saw a bunch of kids at the track having to "Flintstone" it to stop.
OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
Got the Fuji out on the path. Brakes need pads and the front derailleur is not perfect, but she’s getting there.
According to the scale, 30.8lbs.
According to the scale, 30.8lbs.
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OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
A wipe on that Raleigh Sprite really brings out the color. A metallicy brown with gold.
Tossed on a set of 700c wheels to see if they would work in place of the 27’s. They do and the brakes reach perfectly. This one may go single speed, but I’ve got some nice shiny derailleurs that would look vintage cool. Now I need more old leather saddles!
Tossed on a set of 700c wheels to see if they would work in place of the 27’s. They do and the brakes reach perfectly. This one may go single speed, but I’ve got some nice shiny derailleurs that would look vintage cool. Now I need more old leather saddles!
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
That brown paint is great looking! Looks almost like copper in the light.
macgee
Well-known member
I had posted in another thread and Squash suggested I should post in this thread.
Your pic of your brown Raleigh reminds me of mine (Raleigh International). During quarantine I worked on mine that I had laying around. I have built many, many bikes from the ground up but this Raleigh International is one of the hardest frames to fit parts on and put together, at least with the typical parts I have in stock as nothing was standard measurements on this bike. This bike will be a bit of a Frankenstein.
These frames and probably yours above as well used 27" and since I wanted to use 700c racing wheels I had to find longer reach brakes so I restored these Mafac Racer's. I've typically built up single speeds and track bikes but decided to make this one with a rear 9sp derailleur and single speed crank.
For the front, I'm using some old Campy road cranks as single speed and milled down a large Campy 54T chainwheel to make it into a chainguard. The hardness and heat treatment that Campy used in these chainwheels was very impressive and total pain in the *** to mill down.
I have a massive amount of bikes that I've built for myself and friends that I can post pics but I don't want to hijack your thread.
Just a couple of them:
`
Your pic of your brown Raleigh reminds me of mine (Raleigh International). During quarantine I worked on mine that I had laying around. I have built many, many bikes from the ground up but this Raleigh International is one of the hardest frames to fit parts on and put together, at least with the typical parts I have in stock as nothing was standard measurements on this bike. This bike will be a bit of a Frankenstein.
These frames and probably yours above as well used 27" and since I wanted to use 700c racing wheels I had to find longer reach brakes so I restored these Mafac Racer's. I've typically built up single speeds and track bikes but decided to make this one with a rear 9sp derailleur and single speed crank.
For the front, I'm using some old Campy road cranks as single speed and milled down a large Campy 54T chainwheel to make it into a chainguard. The hardness and heat treatment that Campy used in these chainwheels was very impressive and total pain in the *** to mill down.
I have a massive amount of bikes that I've built for myself and friends that I can post pics but I don't want to hijack your thread.
Just a couple of them:
`
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OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
Macgee, you are killing me posting up the custom cutting of crank sets. And with pics just to rub it in.
I’m trying to up my game over here. Not sure I can cut cranks on my little 618 lathe anyway!
Not upping my game with this Poor Man 90’s 29er. Just playing with parts. Maybe we can call it the 29er before 29ers.
This is the 1997? Diamondback Lakeside. It’s a 700c hybrid style bike. I planned to just steal the brake parts off it for the Fuji, but google pulled up some dude who stated that it had all this room for larger tires. Ding, I’ve got a set of 29er tires, but no 29er bike.
Here she is with tires and wheels mocked up along with the old Raleigh Sprite with its 700c’s.
I’m trying to up my game over here. Not sure I can cut cranks on my little 618 lathe anyway!
Not upping my game with this Poor Man 90’s 29er. Just playing with parts. Maybe we can call it the 29er before 29ers.
This is the 1997? Diamondback Lakeside. It’s a 700c hybrid style bike. I planned to just steal the brake parts off it for the Fuji, but google pulled up some dude who stated that it had all this room for larger tires. Ding, I’ve got a set of 29er tires, but no 29er bike.
Here she is with tires and wheels mocked up along with the old Raleigh Sprite with its 700c’s.
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macgee
Well-known member
Squash,
That Raleigh is really cool, I like it! And probably fun to ride.
Interesting to see a 29er wheel set on the DB frame and fitting, how's the clearance on the seat stays and chain stays? Looks really close. Those saddles in the pic sure look like they can handle a huge load
What your intentions with the DB with the 29er wheels?
Here's a couple of more bikes:
My daily rider and favorite, I've probably put 10K miles on it, been riding it for years and holding up. Davidson made really nice frames.
An early carbon fiber custom US national track team frame:
A pair of old school Olmo's, still have the blue one and my friend now has the red one:
A really fun bar hopper I made for my girlfriend, really fun to ride and nimble:
And here's this bike again that I built as guest bike for the house.
PS> You did a great job reconditioning that Brooks saddle, looking forward to hear how it holds up and if comfy?
I have this old Brooks saddle (middle) that needs saving and hopefully I can condition it like you did. Will be gifting it to a friend who had his stolen.
`
That Raleigh is really cool, I like it! And probably fun to ride.
Interesting to see a 29er wheel set on the DB frame and fitting, how's the clearance on the seat stays and chain stays? Looks really close. Those saddles in the pic sure look like they can handle a huge load
What your intentions with the DB with the 29er wheels?
Here's a couple of more bikes:
My daily rider and favorite, I've probably put 10K miles on it, been riding it for years and holding up. Davidson made really nice frames.
An early carbon fiber custom US national track team frame:
A pair of old school Olmo's, still have the blue one and my friend now has the red one:
A really fun bar hopper I made for my girlfriend, really fun to ride and nimble:
And here's this bike again that I built as guest bike for the house.
PS> You did a great job reconditioning that Brooks saddle, looking forward to hear how it holds up and if comfy?
I have this old Brooks saddle (middle) that needs saving and hopefully I can condition it like you did. Will be gifting it to a friend who had his stolen.
`
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OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
That early carbon, is killer!
On the DB, I needed to space the front. I used a small piece of plastic, like a 16th to give that little bit of clearance. Google shows a bunch of people adding little spacers. My plan is a little metal jb welded in.
The rear actually clears. I’ll take pics later.
The evolving plan is to just play with parts. I’m thinking it would be different to have a 90’s, no suspension, canti braked, threaded fork, 29er. Just go rear derailleur, single front?
On the DB, I needed to space the front. I used a small piece of plastic, like a 16th to give that little bit of clearance. Google shows a bunch of people adding little spacers. My plan is a little metal jb welded in.
The rear actually clears. I’ll take pics later.
The evolving plan is to just play with parts. I’m thinking it would be different to have a 90’s, no suspension, canti braked, threaded fork, 29er. Just go rear derailleur, single front?
OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
That saddle should clean right up. Leather is cool like that.
Google has all kinds of people using all kinds of products. I used what I have used in the past on boots. Saddle soap scrub and mink oil.
Luckily the saddle was supple to start, not super supple, but I wasn’t worried about cracking it.
Google has all kinds of people using all kinds of products. I used what I have used in the past on boots. Saddle soap scrub and mink oil.
Luckily the saddle was supple to start, not super supple, but I wasn’t worried about cracking it.
Macgee, I like the classic lines and clean builds in your corral. Only ever owned one roadie, but can appreciate any nice build. Love the lugs on the Olmo.
One thing I wonder as I look at those drivetrains....... are there no hills?
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Those classic Campi cranks almost always have cracks where the arm webs into the chainring arms. Easier to see form backside.
macgee
Well-known member
Thanks abailcb,
Good eye and your guess is correct, These bikes were built for the Venice Beach/Santa Monica area and is pretty much flat. I think I've built about 20+ bikes like this.
One thing that really helps make the bike fun to ride and needing less gears is having a good light wheelset, good hubs, rims and fast tires (while puncture resistant). Been a big fan of Gatorskin and Rubino Pro tires.
Here's a better pic of the head tube lugs on the Olmo and on the Raleigh International.
Slowtwitch,
I hear people say that but I've yet to experience it. Even inspecting the cranks with my bausch & lomb stereozoom 7, I have not seen it. The sets I used have been good.
The Davidson track frame in pic above has my original Campagnolo Pista crankset that I used when I raced Velodromes in anger with those cranks when I was a teenager. Including crashes that snapped my dearly missed Colnago Pista in '84. Since then they probably have 20K+ miles on those cranks and I weigh 205 lbs. There's certainly stiffer cranks out there but certainly not as beautiful. I have broken a Sugino 75 crank but I think that was a one off production issue.
macgee
Well-known member
Squash,
I say go for it, looking forward to seeing your 29er built up and what you think of it.
In regards to drive terrain, it all depends what you want to do with the bike and what type of riding you'll be doing in your area? but yes, a modern single front and rear derailleur is a good set up. I'ts so cool how drive terrain has progressed.
Check out the bridgless seat stays on the carbon bike. I believe this bike was used in the '96 Atlanta games.
I say go for it, looking forward to seeing your 29er built up and what you think of it.
In regards to drive terrain, it all depends what you want to do with the bike and what type of riding you'll be doing in your area? but yes, a modern single front and rear derailleur is a good set up. I'ts so cool how drive terrain has progressed.
Check out the bridgless seat stays on the carbon bike. I believe this bike was used in the '96 Atlanta games.
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Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
I'm curious on the 29" build what you do with the brakes to address the change in wheel diameter?
OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
Bigblue, that’s the magic, it’s already a 700c wheeled hybrid bike. Wheels don’t change, just the tires get massive.
I grabbed the tires off this Walmarty cheap 29er that was garbage wondering what bikes would clear them.
None of my 26in mountain bikes. None of the 27in road bikes. None of my 700c road bikes. The Trek 7 something 700c hybrid I had was too tight. Nothing. I was thinking this was a no go, until I read some dude online commenting on the tire clearance of his 90’s DB Lakeside.
Added the Specialized saddle, cleaner stem, needs straight bars, and added an old Exage bio pace crank. I’m liking the look! All suggestions welcome.
I grabbed the tires off this Walmarty cheap 29er that was garbage wondering what bikes would clear them.
None of my 26in mountain bikes. None of the 27in road bikes. None of my 700c road bikes. The Trek 7 something 700c hybrid I had was too tight. Nothing. I was thinking this was a no go, until I read some dude online commenting on the tire clearance of his 90’s DB Lakeside.
Added the Specialized saddle, cleaner stem, needs straight bars, and added an old Exage bio pace crank. I’m liking the look! All suggestions welcome.
macgee
Well-known member
That looks great, and I thought I never would say that about a Diamond Back bike. I actually like the riser bars in the pic, since you have a fixed fork with lower height and short head tube, any rise will help ergonomics/comfort and would help match bar height to top tube length ratio of more modern bikes. Unless of course you like the sheer pleasure of pain on your back bending way down while riding?
That bike should be able to cover some ATV ground. The bigger wheels and air in them should help **** up some of the energy from the stiff forks and tail.
I would recommend trying to keep the bike as light as possible or should I say as light as possible without getting expensive or unreliable. I know, those three things don't really go together in the bike world but all the little things can really add up.
That bike should be able to cover some ATV ground. The bigger wheels and air in them should help **** up some of the energy from the stiff forks and tail.
I would recommend trying to keep the bike as light as possible or should I say as light as possible without getting expensive or unreliable. I know, those three things don't really go together in the bike world but all the little things can really add up.
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OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
Macgee, bridgeless. Look how dainty! That bike is gorgeous, but I can’t help but feel it should not be black.
Here is some 90’s DB stays and clearance. It’s actually not that tight.
Here is some 90’s DB stays and clearance. It’s actually not that tight.
OP
Squashfest81
Well-known member
Macgee, agreed on the Diamondback. The seat and stem made all the difference. I think it’s just the classic bike looking bike frame. Yeah, I don’t hate those bars.
If it all comes together as planned it will get a 90’s appropriate respray and DB stickers.
If it all comes together as planned it will get a 90’s appropriate respray and DB stickers.
