MetroMPG's "Pirate Bike"

[Frank Lee]

Yes, the forks pivot at the bottom of the stem so the rake changes. I haven't noticed any strange handling characteristic cuz of it.

Also, there is a built-in stem lock at the base of the stem! Limited utility though- it would prevent a ride-off but not a carry-off.

[Grant-53]

Here's to recycling bikes! I truly enjoy bringing a bike back from oblivion and making a sweet machine again. I always ask before picking from the curb. Cleaning, sanding, and repainting make a frame look brand new. I use automotive grade spray paint and clear coat everything I can. Kids really like a decent bike with a cool fairing. Check with the police for auctions of unclaimed stolen goods. If a local municipality has a bike registration program, look into it. Having a record of frame numbers and some photos helps if only with the homeowners insurance claim.

[MetroMPG]

The pirate bike is still going ... made it through another winter of riding in the Canadian rust-belt.

Truth be told, it needed some mid-winter first-aid via a welder. (Fatigue fracture in the fork's steerer tube.)

It seems keeping this hideous hulk on the road (including time spent searching after it was stolen and dumped in a ditch) has become more of a personal challenge than a rational pursuit.

[Old Tele man]

yes, but culture usually wins-out over rationality.

[Marc F.]

I snagged a Trek 800 free and it was in the same shape as Pirate. It took a few hours and the wasted chain that I replaced from my Igauna to get going. It rides nice except for the tire going flat over night. It is however rough looking, part of its charm.

[MetroMPG]

Rough looking = built-in theft deterrence!

[Frank Lee]

Wow was the winter road salt ever tough on my bicycle!

It's summer at the beginning of March- in like a lamb this year. No excuses for not getting those bikes out!!!

I'm summerizing the snowblower today, and got the Songi electric bike out of the bag, aired the tires, and put the battery pack in. Woo Hoo! Now to pedal off that extra 50 lbs that glommed on to me somehow.

[BarelyAWake]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Wow was the winter road salt ever tough on my bicycle!

Road salt is bad enough - but a devil's brew of that & calcium chloride mixed is...



That isn't something dredged up from the deep, that's just from three years of all-winter use, then just sitting for a couple of months... indoors actually, as all my bikes & bits are stored o.O

I'd never ride anything other than a beater bike in the winter

[Marc F.]

Ouch on that gear! What does your chain look like?

[BarelyAWake]

It looks replaced heh