This a post for all the cyclists of emptees to show off their bikes!
I finally got some good pictures of my bike in the city. Found an awesome little spot in Chinatown for a photo shoot. I've still got a lot of work to do on it, but I really like how it's coming along. It's a lot of fun.
You can check out the tech stuff on my Velospace page here: http://velospace.org/node/12156
89 Comments
Simply Complicated said 2 months ago
that seat looks like it would hurt soooooo bad.. maybe its because im fat haha
Master_Control said 2 months ago
haha it's really not that bad. i used to have more of a cushioned seat and it was less comfortable.
awelcomeflood said 2 months ago
I'd hit it
Simply Complicated said 2 months ago
dude you should paint it like a candy cane that would be sooooo badass haha
Master_Control said 2 months ago
haha my friend used to have his his painted like a zebra. he taped it all off and then sprayed it. way too tidious! i'm fond of my flourecent lemon color.
awelcomeflood said 2 months ago
how did you like the stock bike when you got it? I know the Windsor Hour is one of the cheapest track/single speed bikes you can get but I have heard mixed reports about them.
illdthedj said 2 months ago
FIXIE HIPSTERS ALERT
Master_Control said 2 months ago
yeah, i read A LOT of reviews about it and it's such a mixed consensus that i just had to do it myself. i mean 300 bucks for a complete track bike is not bad at all.
i personally love this bike. i replaced some key components and definitely plan on replacing the wheelset/hubs soon. if you can invest a couple hundred bucks into it after you get it, it's a solid bike IMO. It comes with shitty road drops, a terrible headset, even worse seat, and sketchy fucking pedals/toe cages. Replace that and you've got a solid bike for under 500$.
Master_Control said 2 months ago
uh oh, i'm found out...
Simply Complicated said 2 months ago
dude do it.... lemon zebra it would be amazing
Master_Control said 2 months ago
that would take way more effort than i'm willing to exert.
discordantart said 2 months ago
yellow bikes ftw!
$20 bucks, flea market.
Master_Control said 2 months ago
hell yeah man! that thing looks like a fuckin champ.
you should get a coaster brake on that and lose the caliper brakes!
awelcomeflood said 2 months ago
My Baby- I want to convert her to single speed eventually and get clipless pedals. I might switch out the handle bars too or do a chop and flip.
discordantart said 2 months ago
i really should look into that, is it easy? the brakes on that are complete shit, they make more noise than they do slow me down, haha. been having some loose crank problems, but it definitely gets by fine. road 15 miles last night
i've been hearing a lot of talk about fixed gear bikes, a ton of people i know got them a while ago. hows that work out for you? seems like it would be inconvenient where i live but awesome given the right situation
Master_Control said 2 months ago
Looks like a pretty good set up man. I used to have my drops tilted up like that when they were on my fixie haha! I flipped and chopped them and rocked them like mini bullhorns until I got the risers. So much more control with the risers. I really want to get some deda pista drops as well though, for cruising.
Honestly though, I would keep this bike as a roadie and just buy a track frame or complete. The problem with converts is that they have vertical drop outs. The reason track frames have horizontal drop outs is to preserve and maintain chain tension. Losing chain tension on a fixed gear can get you into a shitty situation if you're running brakeless.
awelcomeflood said 2 months ago
yeah I know the vertical drop outs are killing me. There is a $150 hub I could buy to convert to single speed and get a perfectly straight chain line or I could get $25 chain tensioner but they suck (and you don't get the perfect chain tension, better than two de-railers though).
I would still keep my brakes though. I am thinking of keeping it as is and just finding a cheap vintage road bike to convert to single speed too.
Master_Control said 2 months ago
i definitely support getting a fixed gear 100%. i grew up mountain biking and riding bmx bikes, but nothing compares to riding a fixed gear. it's a totally different feeling. it definitely takes a couple weeks of riding to get comfortable on it, but once you do its really amazing. i ride in san francisco with the big hills and no brakes and have no problem with it. once you learn the basic skidding and skipping techniques, it becomes second nature.
the great thing about fixed gears is the simplicity. if something is wrong with the bike you'll know exactly what it is right away. it's super low maintanence and easy to work on. parts are pretty affordable too.
i ride my bike everyday and everywhere i go. i have a car, but have too much fun riding my bike. if you have the right gear (i run 46/17) then it's great for commuting.
it's really pretty easy to convert a free wheel bike to a fixed gear. you just have to pick up a few parts and then you're set. it's best to just buy a new crank/bottom bracket set, a new back wheel with fixed gear hub and you're pretty much set. the rest is just taking off parts you don't need.
Master_Control said 2 months ago
yeah, that's a good route to go. i have an old raleigh back in idaho that i'm going to convert from single to fixed as well.
the chain tensioners actually work really well. i have one of the MKS tensioners on my track bike and it works really really well. no complaints at all.
LitoQ said 2 months ago
this is not at all what i was expecting based on the thread title :(
ironyboy said 2 months ago
I've got a unicycle....
awelcomeflood said 2 months ago
I was looking at the Surly Singleator before and I heard that it sucks. I heard it skips a lot.
What do you think is the loss in efficiency from vertical drop outs w/ tensioner vs. horizontal drop outs?
Master_Control said 2 months ago
I haven't had personal experience with this, but hypothetically, I would think there would be limited to no efficiency in the vertical/tensioner combo. The tensioners work flawlessly with the horizontal dropouts because it is applying force in the direct opposite direction of the chain. With the vertical dropouts, you aren't getting all the pressure in one direction. It's getting pulled down as well as forward.
If you're just running on a commuter with brakes however, you shouldn't have too many problems. I think it's really only a worry for brakeless riders/velodrome racers.
Master_Control said 2 months ago
I wish I had the skill to ride one of those. I'm too freaked out to try!
Master_Control said 2 months ago
haha sorry to let you down...
horsebites said 2 months ago
87 Mongoose Decade
Joey said 2 months ago
whoa
Cole said 2 months ago
sweet pegz
Master_Control said 2 months ago
I am so fucking jealous...
Where did you find that treasure?
ironyboy said 2 months ago
I can only go forward, not back and can't "hover".....My friend actually holds the guinness world record for unicycling the entire length of the UK though....
Master_Control said 2 months ago
hahaha powerman 5000 and slipknot called, they want their music back.
that riding is nuts though.
skull with hair said 2 months ago
fuck that skinny tire BS. me and horsebites don't play. early 90's mongoose expert son!
Master_Control said 2 months ago
dude i am all about this shit, but i'm not man enough to ride 10-15 miles a day on one of thoes dope rides. i need want one for the park though.
LaurieShipley said 2 months ago
I want a mint green beach cruiser....something like this. Add a basket. I'll update when I actually have it. ;)
hideouscarwreck said 2 months ago
your bike is so cute!
i came from nothing said 2 months ago
sweet
i do 10+ a day on my BMX, love it
sittingduck said 2 months ago
what a great thread! Am I the only one here that actually works for a bicycle shop as my day job though? I've been a bicycle mechanic for 3 years now. I ride a redline r540 for my commuter:
23.1 lbs and under $500. Probably my favorite bicycle.
I'm also in the process of building a single speed dirt jumper off an old trek 3700 frame ... when I say old, it's still new enough to have disc brake mounts on the frame. I'm not sure if i should build it up now or wait till ellsworth and nuvinci unveil their new mountain fluid motion internal shifter hub. The thing weighs like 5 lbs right now, but they are aiming to shave it down to 2, which would be lighter than running derailleurs, and internal so i can't bash it (although I'm sure I'll find a way to). If anyone on here has any questions about what parts to get or how to fix things or tune your bike up, let me know!
wotto said 2 months ago
Oliver said 2 months ago
ugh. fixies. ugh, ugh, ugh. i ride a single speed khs, but still get lumped into that hipster fixie crowd.
awelcomeflood said 2 months ago
I am in love with this bike....
Master_Control said 2 months ago
yeah that's pretty much how things go. you ride a fixed gear/single speed bike and you're automatically assumed to be a "hipster". i ride a fixed gear because it's basically maintanence free and easier to work on.
horsebites said 2 months ago
Ha! That's awesome! If you have to get rid of it I might buy it. Keep me posted
horsebites said 2 months ago
We need to ride again soon!!!
skull with hair said 2 months ago
when a person rides a bicycle where the seat is higher than the handlebars they look like they are bent over praying for a wiener to bang them in the chocolate starfish.
skull with hair said 2 months ago
FUCK YEAHH!!
sittingduck said 2 months ago
actually they're also on a bike that doesn't fit them properly. in bicycle fitment, excluding bmx of course, if the seat is higher than the handlebars in order to have proper seat height the frame is too small. A properly fitting bike should allow the rider to extend there legs to the point just before locking their knees with no movement in their hips and when their hands are on the handlebars (a flatbar in this example) they should be able to see their front hub directly behind the handlebars in their line of site. also the seat should be within 2 cm of perfectly level with the handlebar height. too upright and it causes back problems, too leaned over and it causes wrist and shoulder problems.
captiveclothing said 2 months ago
The Bike :
The bike im working on :
sittingduck said 2 months ago
replace that triple triangle's fork dude, go for a fox fork, you won't regret it!
horsebites said 2 months ago
Hey Shipley, I saw a guy with this bike downtown the other night and I wanted to jump him!
Kolby said 2 months ago
I dont ride anymore but this is what I have.
Tender Branson said 2 months ago
Wow. I never knew bikes needed mechanics. Learn something new everyday.
Oh and I got this bike for $10 at the Goodwill to mess around with.
Before
After
I did eventually put some new grips on it, but I don't have it anymore.. didn't have space to take it with me when I moved last year.
wotto said 2 months ago
Where you at? My Parents live just outside Birmingham UK.
skull with hair said 2 months ago
it's murdah!!
horsebites said 2 months ago
I live in Orlando.
GDettra said 2 months ago
This is my restoration project that became my daily rider. Too fun
Randomentity said 2 months ago
i can't ride a bike, and i was really hoping for hot chicks on bikes. you all suck.
LaurieShipley said 2 months ago
Yeah I know, the dude told me you left this at his house.
horsebites said 2 months ago
Sweet! I totally thought I lost it! Now we can match again.
sfox32 said 2 months ago
I'm a very beginner rider and trying to gauge what is considered a decent ride. How far is your average ride?
sfox32 said 2 months ago
Also, any good advice for getting into it?
ryanmiller said 2 months ago
i wish everything in fl wasn't so damn far away.. well in my part of fl anyway. i'd bike everywhere. gas sucksss
Master_Control said 2 months ago
Just get a cheap bike that you're comfortable on. I ride probably 10-15 miles per day, so that's my main reasoning behind owning a track bike. It's a great commuter, but still a lot of fun to ride.
Master_Control said 2 months ago
That's so clean! I love it!
awelcomeflood said 2 months ago
yeah florida is a horrible state to bike commute in. All the cities are really spread out and there are very few bike lanes. The plus side is that the state is relatively flat so you don't have to worry about hills.
Master_Control said 2 months ago
This is not always true and in fact is rarely true when talking about road and track bikes. BMX, Mountain Bikes, Touring bikes, and some others typically run the seat even or below the bars. For a comfortable anatomical fit on road and track bikes, it requires the seat to be hire than the bars. Take a look at just about any rider's bike on the Tour de France or any rider racing on the Velodrome in the Olympics.
Joe said 2 months ago
I ride a Novara Buzz (2001 I think, it's matte black) that looks pretty much like this except a harder saddle:
Wish I could ride it more, but there's no safe way for me to get to work on it... I know nothing about bikes, so any suggestions on tuning to make it a better ride would be terrific!
skull with hair said 2 months ago
dude that sucks so bad, i probably drive 2 miles per day and i want to kill myself. i could not waste that much time commuting. how long does it take you?
Master_Control said 2 months ago
Well my commute to work is only like a mile maybe, but I cruise around town to hangout with friends and party. I guess 10-15 isn't a daily avg when I'm working. When I go to the city though, it's definitely in the 10-15 mile range.
Master_Control said 2 months ago
What is the problem with it? It looks like a solid commuter if I ever saw one.
tinaATL said 2 months ago
I NEVER LEARNED HOW TO RIDE A BIKE
LMAO
:-(
skull with hair said 2 months ago
yeah and you're like 100 and don't have your drivers license. figures!
skull with hair said 2 months ago
OOOOOOOOOOOOH fucking LIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAARRRRRR!!!!!! get a bmx man. it may take a little longer to get there, but when you do finally get there, you'll still have your dignity!!
tinaATL said 2 months ago
IM GONNA TAKE MY TEST ON FRIDAY
CHILL ~
dougie said 2 months ago
Doesn't anyone else freeride/downhill?
Here's my beast:
aawwwww yeeeaahhh!
sittingduck said 2 months ago
I used to do a ton of freeride, I just sold my norco shore 3. I miss it!
hahaha, umm, ok buddy, whatever. I'm just trying to share some experience with the group. have fun with those back, shoulder and wrist problems.
Joe said 2 months ago
If something were wrong with it, I wouldn't even be able to tell you (except I did notice that the derailleur hanger was bent so I got that fixed, yay)! Just wondering if there were any standard upgrades or something. But it does seem pretty solid to me. I have neither toe straps nor clipless pedals; are one or the other recommended? I almost never go farther than 10 miles on a trip.
skull with hair said 2 months ago
yeah, a motor!
Joe said 2 months ago
Ha, I've got a car as well.
Master_Control said 2 months ago
haha i ride bmx too, but i don't have my own. i have a bunch of buddies that have bikes and they just let me use their's when i'm at the park.
bombing hills and skidding on my track bike is way too much fun to give up.
Master_Control said 2 months ago
for a commuter i would suggest upgrading tires and a seat. Possibly pedals as well depending on what your current set up is like. Besides those things, the rest is pretty much personal preference. I mean just upkeep the bike with regular preventive maintanence(sp?) and you should be good. Make sure everything is greased up well and you keep it nice and lubed...your chain of course...
jaynajaynajayna said 2 months ago
Man I need to finish painting my bike so I can post it. I went with ultra flat black with an ultra flat cover coat, so it basically looks like it's made of guns. Or like batman would ride it. Or both
Master_Control said 2 months ago
You're a bike mechanic...?
Take a look at everyone of those bikes. Notice the seat position?
awelcomeflood said 2 months ago
“Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.”
-H.G. Wells
Any bike is a good bike people. No matter what your riding style or preference of frame/wheels.
wotto said 2 months ago
If anyone is interested in buying my 87 Mongoose Decade like this (not in as good shape and has different wheels) and is in the UK email me, my dad is gonna destroy it if I don't get shot of it.
horsebites said 2 months ago
Check out this tour de dorks
Master_Control said 2 months ago
that was awesome. i love old people crashing on bikes.
Joe said 2 months ago
seat: WTB SST
tires: Ritchley Tom Slick 1.4 (I've been lucky and haven't punctured them!)
pedals: they don't say anything, but they're pretty plain and don't have anything to hold my foot
Any suggestions? I'll probably be heading to a bike shop once I get paid on Friday!
Master_Control said 2 months ago
WTB makes some pretty good saddles, but I'm guessing yours came on the bike? Some bikes come with great seats, but those are usually going to be the bikes in the 600+ range. Most bike shops will let you try seats out to see if you like them. I would suggest doing that. I run a Specialized Toupe Ti and love it. You've gotta be ready to spend some money for a really nice seat though. Mine set me back 100 kwan (it retails for 149.99, but my buddy works at the LBS).
For tires, I would suggest Soma or Michelin. Soma Everwears are great tires and I hear nothing but good about them. They are super tough and can withstand months of skidding on a fixed.
As for pedals, I would definitely suggest getting some toe cages if you're running open. It's safer and more efficient (no foot slipping!). MKS makes really good pedals and toe cages. Shimano is always a safe bet as well. I would suggest going with metal cages and pedals (especially pedals). For one, it's more sturdy and two they'll last longer. With a basic commuter bike you don't have to worry too much about performance or super high quality parts, so I'd say just run stuff til it breaks (as long as your comfortable).
sittingduck said 2 months ago
umm, sorry, but do you race every day? that riding position is for aerodynamics, not comfort. a daily rider would never ride like that unless they're just trying to be "like the people on the tour de france". It's a great riding position for racing, and I never said it wasn't. but just riding 10 to 15 a day, that'd kill 90% of my customers at least.