SquashCycle Bikes

[Squashfest81]

Starting the SquashCycle thread to document the bikes, resto’s, and mods that go on in the Almost 10 by Almost 15 shed shop, link below in sig.
I’ll start with a pic of the 2007 Gary Fisher Bitter on the trail with the Atlantic in the background.
Any and all bike chat is welcome.

 

[Squashfest81]

The Huffy Sunny Day tandem. She is in amazing shape for her age. Bought it off a guy that said it hadn’t left the shed in over 20 years. Now I just need a friend.

 

[Squashfest81]

The tandem got this cool speedo off an old Schwinn Speedster.

 

[Squashfest81]

She’s got these dual top tubes that make her a little squirrelly to ride.

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Very cool, the paint on the Huffy is in great shape for its age! It reminds me of a Columbia Twosome that I had a decade ago, low-end & flexy as a noodle, and a bit treacherous to stop with just a coaster brake. It was capable of epic power slides when riding solo on loose terrain. I swapped the fork for one with V-brake mounts and that took care of the braking issue.

We're riding this one now:

 

[Squashfest81]

Bugeye, nice looking tandem!
Funny you mentioned the Twosome. Here’s my pink Twosome. It was a project that got bumped by the Huffy. Now I’m keeping it waiting for a adult trike to show up and convert into a tandem trike. My Father has trikes, which I’ll show at some point, but no tandem trikes.
PS. The Huffy is way wigglyer than the Twosome.

 

[Squashfest81]

I grabbed this 96 or so Diamondback Lakeside for the center pull brakes. They are a little nicer and the right vintage for my 93 Fuji Thrill resto that I will show here when I get to it.
Anyway, I googled up the Diamondback and I read someone say that it has room for larger tires on the 700c rims. Hmmm? I just happen to have a set of wheels and tires off a cheap 29er. Yup, they fit, just barely.
It’s got the right vintage look I like, but rolling on those 29ers.

 

[Showkey]

Recently sold a Gary Fisher tandem it was a little small for me and was not being used:

 

[Squashfest81]

I brought the 29er tires home to see what I could fit them on. Obviously not a 26in mountain bike, not a vintage 10 speed, and not the Giant or Trek 820 hybrids with 700c rims. Nothing, until the old Diamondback.
Anyone else mess around with tires?

 

[Squashfest81]

Showkey, that is some tandem. Not sure I’d go off the paved path with the wife on some GF suspensioned out mountain bike tandem. Glad you did. Did you replace it with another, or go separate bikes?

 

[theoldwizard1]

"They don't make 'em like they used to !"

I loved my Schwinn Typhon from the mid 60's. Ran through several sets of tires delivery newspapers.

 

[Showkey]

Showkey, that is some tandem. Not sure I’d go off the paved path with the wife on some GF suspensioned out mountain bike tandem. Glad you did. Did you replace it with another, or go separate bikes?

This was my last of 4 tandems over many years. I bought it used......It was novelty bike but never really checked all the boxed.

It was fine on bike paths paved, gravel and dirt and forest roads of all kinds. On single track it was hand full. Tight turns, roots and rocks were a real challenge. The stoker seat post was suspended the grandkids managed it well........wife not so much.

I am back to single Stumpjumper full suspension 29’er

 

[Squashfest81]

Showkey, I’m not sure I could have let that Gary tandem go! My Sunny Day is for the paved bike path near the house or the campground. It does get a lot of looks at the campground. Now I need to find one.

 

[Squashfest81]

I’ll post the bikes over the past few years until we are caught up.
Here’s the 71ish Raleigh Super Course that I converted to a single speed using parts from a modern Fuji that the previous owner had converted. Stripped and cleaned the almost 50 year old frame, which is an amazing green with plenty of paint chips and rust. Fitted the bottom bracket, cranks, and wheels with flip flop hub from the Fuji.
I had heard that going from 27in to 700c wheels would be a problem for the brakes, but I had no experience. Not even close to working. Solution?

 

[Squashfest81]

A true Fixie would have no brakes, but I’m not that ********.
Google pointed out a bunch of bolt on solutions, but they looked awkward. I decided to grind down an aluminum stem to fit up inside the fork from below to mount the brake to. If my little lathe was up and running at the time it would have gone smoother.

 

[pepi]

"They don't make 'em like they used to !"

I loved my Schwinn Typhon from the mid 60's. Ran through several sets of tires delivery newspapers.

How about the Columbia Newsboy Special, huge baskets & the original big tire ride.

250 paper route, yellow cards on ring.

Man those were the days, we really had it GOOD growing up.
An oh yeah had to porch those papers, fun as all hell..

 

[ambenz]

Do you have any Spyder Bicycles? This was my first bike I got back in 1969...
https://scontent-dfw5-2.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/137275708_4390715477621630_1833741106028877572_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=2&_nc_sid=0debeb&_nc_ohc=i6E2Bnt2LAkAX8daJAw&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.**&oh=80209683fa7b9d7913d7f7a1fc4f2129&oe=601E5B22

It is amazing how some of the Schwinn Crate Bikes have become super collectable.

 

[Squashfest81]

ambenz, is that your bike from 69’?
I had a buddy text me as this bike fell onto him. It’s an Oxford, pretty rusty, but cool, so, it’s joined my stable. The boy rode it around the yard, but he’s not into it. It’s not at the head of the cleanup list, but I’m keeping my eyes out for a nice set of 20in coaster brake wheels, then I’ll be inspired to clean the rust up. For now it will hang in the shed. Yes, I keep hitting my head on the ape hanger bars while I use the table saw.

 

[Squashfest81]

Come spring I’ll pull all the “good” bikes out into the yard for a group pic. I’m super limited on space, but I’m drawn to all styles. I’m a 26in classic mountain bike guy with front suspension , then we need the full suspension 26, classic no suspension 26, vintage 10 speed, fixie, old school 3 speed, muscle bike, tandem... Yikes! That’s just for me. Got the old school hybrid going 29er I’m excited about. Need a trike rear for the other tandem...

 

[Showkey]

Showkey, I’m not sure I could have let that Gary tandem go! My Sunny Day is for the paved bike path near the house or the campground. It does get a lot of looks at the campground. Now I need to find one.

If it was better fit, at least one size up for the captain, I would have kept it.
I tried real hard to make it “larger”.


It’s like buying a used mountain bike because it was great deal and great bike ....but....it’s the wrong size. I did that with this Litespeed:

 

[handmadeMI]

If it was better fit, at least one size up for the captain, I would have kept it.

I tried real hard to make it “larger”.





It like buying a used mountain bike because it was great deal and great bike ....but....it’s the wrong size. I did that with this Litespeed:

Still a great find!


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Squashfest81]

Sometimes you just have to save them!
Years ago I bought some parts off this guy on Craig’s. He had your basic home with an attached 2 car. We go in and he’s got the full depth on both sides hung with bikes. Plus what was on the floor. I’m guessing 30 or so hung on each side. All fendered up cool stuff, not all polished museum, but I’d guess you could grab any one, air it up and ride.
Showkey, you got a small revolving stable or...

 

[Squashfest81]

I’ll drop this to get a pic on pg2.
A few months back some dude on Craig’s listed an old green Fuji. I lowballed him, of course, and we couldn’t agree. Then weeks later the girls version fell into my lap. It’s in really great shape, old, but clean. The tires are rotted, but still have the nubs. Then the dude reposts the 17in boys version again.
I had to grab it once I had the girls version for all the clean parts because I bought a green Fuji Thrill new in 1992 or 3 for $340. The plan is to strip the boys 17in down to the bare frame, clean it up, and move all the parts from the girls version over. That girls version is all original and has all the same components my Fuji had.

 

[Squashfest81]

The frame all scrubbed. Ready for the girlie parts. Those still need to be pulled apart and cleaned, but my fingers get cold when it’s 28 degrees out.

 

[Squashfest81]

Decided to keep the old Kendas from the boys bike. The white walls actually cleaned up and they were what came on the bike.
The plan is to keep it in that 90’s feel, nicer crank set, brake arms, and wider bars. The rest of the “crappy” components will stay.

 

[ambenz]

ambenz, is that your bike from 69’?
......

No, but I spied it at a car show last year and really freaked me out! The one I got for my Birthday in 1969...and this one...EVERYTHING was exactly the same. It looked clean enough to be mine from 69.

 

[Xti04]

I do a ton of bikes here at the house,buy/sell repair trade around. current project is a cannondale slate. Bought it with no crankset, installed new crank and clea ing it up now to get it sold. I have built what started as a grinder stand,but was too tall so I mounted my park tool bike stand to it. Theres something about fixing bikes thats almost as much fun as riding them. Will have to get some pics of the current projects.

 

[Squashfest81]

Post up the projects Xti. Grinder base stand should be nice. I’ll post my wooden work stand I built recently. My father texted a pic of what will be his stand and it’s an old heavy beam scale. Should be cool.
Oh, couldn’t leave this guy behind.

 

[Squashfest81]

The oak work stand. It’s not rigid enough for really torquing, but works well for assembly and tuning.

 

[Squashfest81]

Mounted in the woodworking vise. That’s the reason for the shape. It slips over and clamps down.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Theres something about fixing bikes thats almost as much fun as riding them.

I agree. I took up working on mountain bikes at the end of 2019 out of necessity (too many bikes that require a lot of upkeep) and have grown to really like it. No heavy lifting, no rusty parts, all metric, etc. My only gripe is all of the specialty tools involved. Luckily, most of our family's 6 bikes use similar standards and components. Bike repairs are generally quick and are good to fit in when you have some spare time. This thread reminded me I have a dropper post and a new chainring to install......

 

[Xti04]

I lucked up about 10 years ago into a guy selling all his park tool stuff and grabbed a ton of tools for 40 bucks. This year I grabbed a park tool truing stand,park tool bike stand and a dish gage for 60 dollars. I am always adding to the collection. Right place at the right time it has seemed. These tools have been a huge help this year as I have really gotten back into riding as much as I can. My only issue is storing all my bikes as well as my kids bikes. Theirs arent too bad, but my wifes e bike is always in the way and mine is currently stuffed in the back of a volvo wagon. Any suggestions for storage?

 

[Squashfest81]

Bigblue, exactly! Bikes are manageable and cheap, the way I do it. I’d like to spend a couple hours a day building some crazy four wheel drive beach camper, but I don’t have the time, skills, or cash to take that on.
Let us know when you get that dropper and chainring on. Got to keep us all motivated.

 

[Squashfest81]

Xti, nice score on the tools. I’m always on the hunt. I haven’t dabbled with wheel building, just not there, as I’m focused on the interchangeability of parts. It’s wild how standard bikes are.

 

[Squashfest81]

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.

 

[Squashfest81]

I have a second shed that stores all my yard stuff. It too has hooks under a shelf the depth of one side. That holds another 7 bikes in storage and the wife’s bike. The current kiddo bikes live on the shed floor so they can grab them.
Ideally I want my bikes hung like shirts in a closet!

 

[Xti04]

I am using kayak hangers right now with the rope setup to lift/lower them. I am supposed to be adding another couple of lifts to the setup to get another couple bikes up there. But I also have to have some headspace in the garage for my lift too so I can pick up cars. My wifes rad e bike is like 70 lbs and its the one I worry about the most being hung up. thats a lot of weight if it comes crashing down.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Squash, there's a YouTube channel called "Hardtail Party" where the guy does reviews on hardtail frames/bikes and components. He recently did a $300 bike challenge and got about a dozen guys to build bikes and take them on a ride. It was a 3 episode series that I think you'd like. Some of those guys really turned out some nice bikes.

My evening of bike wrenching was 50% successful. Chainring went as planned, but I ordered the wrong length dropper post. Oh well. Took the time to trim some 800mm bars down to 780mm, which I've been meaning to do for a while.

 

[Squashfest81]

Xti, if you like the pulley lift, stick with it. My first hanging attempt was a hybrid of systems I saw online. The bike gets hung by hooks on the wheels, but is pulled flat against the ceiling. I didn’t like the extra step, so I’ve reverted to simply hanging overhead.
That’s my recommendation if the ceiling is low enough. Another good option would be hanging on a wall from the front wheel all lined up.
I’m not sure I’d hang the e-bike either, but I bet the kayak lift could handle it.

 

[Squashfest81]

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.