Did I Just Buy a Hipster Bike?

     Yep. I think so.

    A couple of weekends ago I received this text from my wife.

    Daphne was volunteering at UHS's annual Show Choir Garage Sale. Apparently quite a few people had made comments about the bike, but no one was buying. Daph knew who to call.

    I took one look at the bike and one look at the price tag. Then I wheeled it to the checkout where Daphne was working. She asked, "Are you buying the bike?"

    "I'm not sure. I just heard that there's a really good looking woman working at the register, so I thought I'd come over and check her out," I replied.

    She smiled and laughed, "That's not true! Now give me your card so you can donate to our sale."

    I did as I was told. 

    She then walked with me through the school, holding doors open, while the bike tick, tick, tick, ticked along the way.

    

   This was in our driveway twenty minutes later.

        This was a 1992 Trek 2300 road bike in its first life. 

    This is a screen shot of Trek's 1992 catalog. The frame, crankset, and derailleurs (maybe?) are the only original parts left on the bike I bought. 

    The Brooks B67 saddle is the reason I bought the Trek. This seat and the handgrips will be right at home on the Rollfast, my English 3-speed. The rest of the bike is just gravy.

    Fifty dollars won't get you even halfway to a used Brooks B67 on eBay, so this is a good deal. 

    This is what urban bicycle fashion looked like 20 years ago. Here's a 4-minute video from back in the day that shows a process that a lot of people followed -----> Link

    The trend was to take an old road bike and simplify/modify it as much as possible. Typical hipster bike requirements included a leather saddle, flipped handlebars, rims with less spokes, tires with sidewall color, and a bike rack. This bike ticks all those boxes. 

    

    If you really wanted to get into the weeds you'd repaint the frame, fork, and rims a monochrome color. You could also replace the multiple gears with a fixed gear and remove all of the brake components. Then you would have a "Fixie" that was inspired by the bikes used by bicycle delivery people in New York City. I'm glad the previous owner did not go that far.

    I'm not here to mock the hipsters. They were just having fun with their bikes. Can't knock them for that. But I can try to knock some of the 2006 off of here.

  I made some quick changes before I took the bike for a test ride. I flipped the Metropolis handlebars, and added soft grips. Those old-school Weinmann brake levers were also really popular with the hipster crowd.

      Then I made a seat swap, removed the rack and bag, and changed the bottle cage. 

    Hey, that doesn't look too bad.

    The bike wasn't shifting very well, and the chain was noisy. Turns out the chain was just too long. I removed a couple of links and those problems were solved. 

    The front brake was fine, but the rear caliper would only pull from one side. It took me about an hour to figure out it was stripped and missing a spacer. This must have been a problem for awhile because the right brake pad was worn out and the other pad looked brand new.

    

       I bought a pair of period correct brake calipers on eBay. The bike now stops as it should. I also like this look better.

    Hipster bikes were all about high seat posts and low handlebars. Riding in this position gave the biker an illusion of speed, but was pretty uncomfortable. I brought the stem adapter up a bit and added some headset spacers.

    Parts bin saddle. I don't remember where I found this seat, but I'm 100% sure it was in a thrift store. I like the logo's design.

    I had an authentic Trek water bottle cage in the parts bin, so that went on as well.

        The last step was to replace the tires on those Vuelta (hand built) wheels. I wasn't a fan of the red sidewall stripe, and the rubber on the tires was beginning to crack. The tires are sized 700 x 23c. I decided to bump that up a bit to 700 x 28c. There's plenty of room. I went with all-black tires from Amazon.

    When she saw them Daphne said, "Yeah, that looks better than the red." That's all I needed to hear.

    Before and after pics.

    It's gone from a hipster to a commuter in ten days. What a fun project. The plan is to test drive it some more and take it to Marketplace. 

   All of my other bikes are made of steel, so this composite frame seems just so dang light. I'm tempted to keep the Trek, but that just means something else has to go. 

    Thanks to Daphne, my fine line between collecting and hoarding has been crossed.

The Tranquil Plan: Update

Can you spot ten differences? 

Kidding. I made a lot of updates to my bike, and I'll just point out a few changes like the larger tires I chose for a more comfortable ride.

I really liked this saddle. It's wasn't cool, but it was comfortable. I used it as a handle when I was moving the Peugeot, and the pad's base tore away from the springs. Disappointing. 

I got this used Brooks B17 Champion Standard Saddle on eBay for cheap. The metal was rusty and the leather had drops of paint on it. The seat cleaned up pretty well. I decided to try it on this bike build, and I was surprised to find that I like this seat as much as the previous one. The Brooks is really comfortable.

Because these seats can be expensive, I used a theft prevention hack that I've been waiting years to try. It's an old bike chain that's been shortened and looped inside a section of an old tire tube. To steal this saddle you're going to need either a chain tool or a bolt cutter. I used a zip tie to tighten the loop so it won't catch on as much stuff.

Before picture.

After picture. I think the Misfits sticker looks so cool up in front. I also like that brass bell there.

Before. Here's the original right grip, brake lever, and thumb shifter.

After. I decided to use all of that original equipment, but I wished I would have used different brake levers. These don't have barrel adjusters, and that makes adjusting the cantilever brakes even more frustrating... if that's possible. Getting the toe-in right is tricky, to say the least.

The chainstay protector was toast, and it took awhile to get it off the frame. It's basically a metal sticker.

New parts list: Kool Stop brake pads, straddle brake cables, Velo-Orange brake and shift cable kits, 26" x 1.95" Yunscm tires and tubes, Crane bike bell, and the chain was a Xmas gift.

New to me parts list: Sugino alloy seat post and the Brooks saddle.

Is the bike done? Doubtful. One of the most enjoyable parts of working on bicycles is the Lego-like aspect of it. There are so many ways you can change, upgrade, and personalize a bicycle. 

How's the ride? On test rides, it certainly feels comfortable. The gears shift easily and quietly. The brakes no longer squeal, and tonight I left a skid mark on our driveway... oops. I think I have the "fit" dialed in. The Peugeot now feels like it has been my bike for years. 

The weather turns cold on us this week, so I have yet to go on a long, tranquil ride. But I'm looking forward to giving it a shot.

The Tranquil Plan

Irwin's Bike and Sport was a bike store/shop in Johnston, Iowa where we now live. Irwin's closed in 2010 when the owner retired. I did not know it was going close at the time. Charlotte was only two months old then, and I was pretty preoccupied with that. I did try to buy a bike tube from Irwin's the next spring, and I was sad to see that the space was empty. 

I enjoyed the atmosphere in Irwin's. The staff was friendly, and I didn't feel like I was being judged when I asked questions. One of the mechanics was an ex-student of mine from early in my career. He was a tall, quiet guy who would sometimes nod at me when I entered the store.

Irwin's was located in a strip mall near the Hy-Vee grocery store. One warm, summer morning I was standing in the Hy-Vee parking lot. I had just gotten out of my car when I spotted that ex-student riding his bike on the sidewalk that led to the grocery store. This was before Irwin's had closed and CarX had torn out the sidewalk to make room for their building.

I began walking towards the store, and he passed me on my left. He was about ten feet from me, but he could have been a mile away. His finely tuned bicycle was completely silent. He was sitting upright in the saddle, and pedaling slowly. He had his left hand on the handlebars. His right arm hung by his side. His open, right hand leisurely rotating as if he was petting a dog or conducting an orchestra. 

Instead of stopping at Hy-Vee, he continued past the store's loading dock, turned the corner, and disappeared into the neighborhood. 

I have never seen anyone look so relaxed and content on a bicycle. The word that describes him best is tranquil. 

I don't get jealous very often. I'm more than happy with what I have. But on that morning I was jealous of him. I wanted to be that guy. I guess that is why I have never forgotten that moment.

Time has mostly erased the details of his face, the color of the bike, and what he was wearing. I clearly remember the bicycle's upright handlebars, his easy pace, and that hand waving in the air as he rode.

That's what I was thinking of when I brought home yet another bicycle.

I think what drew me to the thrift store Peugeot was its handlebars and stem. This is what they looked like right after I pulled the bike out the back of my car.

That's set too high for me, but that is a cockpit that will allow me to sit straight up. The newest plan for the Peugeot is to see how comfortable and quiet I can make it. 

I want to see if I can be tranquil, too.

I'm not in love with this saddle. It's not very cool looking, but the springs make me think it might be easy on the backside. We'll see.

I've replaced the headset ball bearings that were in retainers with loose bearings seated in grease. I also did the same for the bottom bracket. They both seem to work more smoothly now.

Every original part of the Peugeot has been removed, cleaned, lubed, and reinstalled (well, not the handlebar grips). Up next are the new parts. I already installed the new chain. Now I have new shifter cables, brake cables, and the new cantilever brake pads to install. Apparently the style of brakes that are on this bike are supposed to be really frustrating to work with... great.

I knew it wouldn't go fast when I bought a bike project in early December. Our garage is not heated, and Iowa winters are not conducive to quick accomplishments. That's okay. The idea is that this bike is going to help me to take it slow. Stressing about getting it finished defeats that purpose.

I think I might have a shot at achieving tranquility. Look where the bike was originally purchased:

The Rollfast Project: The Persuader/ Pedal Edition

Here's a fun slang term:

Some rider in the past must have had at least two yard sales on the Rollfast. I don't know how else both crank arms (where the pedals attach) could have gotten so bent. I was able to straighten the removed, left side crank with some taps with a sledgehammer, but that won't work on the right side crank. The sprocket is in the way.

For this fix, I needed a Persuader.

I went to the Habitat ReStore and bought a used pipe for $3.75. The pipe's interior diameter had to be an inch wide to fit over my crank arm. 

This isn't sophisticated. I slid the pipe in position and lightly pulled on the end. Then I removed the pipe and checked my progress. Lather, rinse, repeat. I had to go easy with this much leverage. It would not be hard to persuade the crank arm to bend too far. I had the best results when I placed the pipe about halfway down the crank.

That looks a lot better. Thanks, Persuader.

Now both cranks are much more parallel to each other. That should make the bike more comfortable to pedal.

On the topic of pedals, I took another look at what arrived with the Rollfast.

I though they were a grungy, mismatched pair. When I cut the zip tie, I discovered that they are both stamped "Made in England." The pedals are still grungy, but they do match.

According to the late Sheldon Brown's website, "Older [bicycle] models had rubber block pedals made in the Raleigh factory in Nottingham. Raleigh was the last bicycle maker to make its own pedals. They were very high quality, and were completely rebuildable... In the late 1960s, as a cost-cutting move, Raleigh fitted horrible cheap pedals that had no ball bearings."

Hmmm... maybe these pedals are better than I thought? They are rebuildable, so I think they'll be worth saving. I installed them, and I have to admit that they look at home on the bike.

One pedal is missing a dust cap and there was quite bit of muck inside of it. A paper towel and a bit of oil smoothed out its crusty movement. The metal should clean up nicely, but those beat, rubber blocks have seen better days. I will keep an eye out for replacements.

I haven't dismantled pedals before, and that seems like a good basement project. It will be something to do when it gets too cold to work in the garage.

Now I'm on the lookout for another dust cap.

I was 14 when I started working on the car my dad had parked behind our garage. I vacuumed it out and covered the vinyl interior with Armor All. Then I cleaned every inch of the engine bay with a toothbrush and a jar of solvent. My dad joked, "I bet that old Ford doesn't what hit it." I think it was a compliment.

I wonder if all my projects feel that way?

I hope they do.

The Rollfast Project: A Test Ride

It's not done, but the Rollfast is mobile. 

I took the bike out for a shakedown just before sundown. I remembered to wear my helmet. When I took the Aragon out for its first spin, the handlebars came loose, I almost wiped out, and my noggin was unprotected...

The Rollfast went forward when I pedaled, shifted gears when I moved the shifter, and stopped when I applied the brakes. I returned safely to the driveway, and I didn't embarrass myself. 

I'll call that a success. 

I bought the Brooks grips a couple of years ago for the Voyager 11.8, but I think they suit an English bicycle better.  When I installed the grips, I noticed the right side of the handlebars was bent. I straightened the bar the best I could, and a replacement from Amazon should be here soon.

I had to ditch the vintage brake levers because they didn't allow enough room for the grips. The new handlebar might correct that, but I like the Tektrol levers, so I think they'll stay. 

These brake cable clips are not the original Raleigh clips, but I like how they look.

I had to make some adjustments to the shifter cable after the shakedown. The rear hub was slipping into neutral when I was in second gear. I believe that means the cable was slightly loose.

I'm not sure if I'll keep using this Brooks saddle. It looks okay, but a leather Brooks would be better. I'm also on the fence about the pedals. Era-correct block pedals might be better. 

The front wheel bearings still need grease, and I could put a new tire on that rim when I need something to do. The temp is suppose to hit 56 today, so I hope to cruise around this afternoon and see how the Rollfast shifts.

Maybe I'll wear a tweed jacket.

The Rollfast Project: Gaining Speed

Collectamania is a flea market/ antique store located on the east side of Des Moines. One of the dealers has a booth selling bicycles and bicycle parts. I knew I might be able to find some vintage Raleigh parts when I spotted this Huffy chain guard.

Raleigh bikes were the king of the English three-speeds, but their bicycles didn't have to say Raleigh to be a Raleigh. Many Raleigh bicycles were rebranded and sold under a different name, but they had a Raleigh frame and a slight cosmetic change. Rudge, Humber, Hercules, Robin Hood, Phillips, Rollfast, Triumph... and yes, Huffy bicycles, all knew they were Raleighs deep down. 

I wanted an English front brake caliper to replace the incorrect Japanese unit that came with the Rollfast. I found a rear caliper right away, but not the needed front one. I thought that was weird, so I went back yesterday and searched floor beneath the shelves. The right caliper was wedged between the bottom shelf and a cardboard box full of softballs. Yesss!

I didn't need the attached brake lever, but it is kinda cool.

 I tore the caliper down for polishing.

Suspicions confirmed.

Whew. I like this so much better that the more modern caliper. Only trainspotters would see the difference, but it was bugging me.

Before:

After:

I also got the bottom bracket sorted out. I soaked the loose ball bearings in isopropyl alcohol to remove the dried grease. The cups that hold the bearings went into my vibration tumbler to remove the rust and to smooth their surfaces. (It's cool when my hobbies collide. I bought the tumbler for pinball restoration, but I use it for other things all the time.) When the Rollfast arrived, the crankset would barely make crunchy turns. The greased bearings now spin with ease.

Crankset installed.

After installing the crankset,  I noticed that the left crank arm was almost touching the frame. There was about two mm of clearance. Man, how did I miss seeing how badly the crank was bent? I removed that crank arm again, and placed in on the garage floor. I placed an old t-shirt  over the crank, and I used a sledge hammer to encourage it to straighten out. The crank arm is much better now.

I also bought this 26" front wheel from Collectamania. It's rust free, and looks much better than what I currently have on the bike. It's hard to see the difference in this picture, but it's pretty obvious in person. I'll still be on the lookout for a "Made in England" wheel, but this should be okay for now.

I think I have all the parts I need to complete this bicycle, but I'm in no rush. When the Rollfast is done, I'll just have to find something else to work on, and I don't have room for another bike.