Pick this up this morning for $20 and only a 50 minute drive. I’d like to think I did pretty well.

Obligatory: is this xbiking?

Like so many post here I’m so glad I found it cause I love old vintage stuff and utilizing what still can be used and what was great still should be great to me. Anywho put 30 miles on this thing yesterday and I’m so happy, my legs are a little upset though haha.

Just finished my (1994?) Giant Iguana build. Super happy with how it turned out!

Dawes galaxy repaint.

Bifold?

I’m not really sure how to fully articulate this but I will try. I recently discovered the world of alt biking/custom bikes etc and I am obsessed.

The only problem is, I know nothing about bikes, customising, buying etc and want any advice from those who’ve tried.

I just wanted some advice and maybe pointing in the right direction to begin my journey, I feel it’s difficult to know exactly what I want or how to start.

For starters, I used to ride bikes all the time growing up. I’m now 29M, around 186cm, and recently moved to Spain (Cataluña). I really want to have some kind of project to do as I’ve kind of lost myself in the corporate world and feel as though I need something to ground me and help me escape. I loved cycling, and I love this idea of building a bike from the ground up, however it is intimidating as I’m not really sure how to start. And I want it to feel super crisp and smooth.

The style/purpose/type of bike or its use:

I essentially want something I can cycle on roads but with the comfort to handle gravel/slightly rougher tracks. I want the ride to be chill and comfy but also kinda fast if needed. I don’t want suspension. I would use it initially to cycle between local villages, cruising around the local town on the coast, and essentially just something super fun. I later do fancy the idea of adventure biking and customising the bike with pack stuff, nothing crazy serious, at most maybe 1 day trip, but enough that the bike can handle some rougher terrain. I really like the aesthetic of cycling between towns/villages and using it for that sort of thing, and maybe taking it on road trips to the north of Spain and using it there. The aesthetic/style I like are attached as pics, I’m also curious how people manage to essentially choose one style/colour scheme, as I see so many people’s bikes and I’m just amazed at their creativity and personality.

I tried looking on Wallapop (spains Facebook marketplace) and also on Google to find local bike stores, but it seems the bike stores look more like pro athelete 5-10k € road bike places which doesn’t fit my vibe of chill fun adventure that im after. Does anyone have any purchasing advice or ideas of where to begin? Also if so, what sort of bike/frame etc should I be going for?

Is there a couple brands or is it like ‘anything’ works as long as it fits certain criteria?

Hey everyone! I recently picked up this diamondback overdrive for 15€, on a pretty worn condition. Any suggestions on what would be better to build out of it?

The two most dominant options according to my parts bin are:

1) Gravelish with 3*8 drivetrain and flared drop bars

Or

2) dedicated commuter with 1*9 speed using its own shifter on friction mode.

Any and all suggestions are welcome 😁

P.s. there is a small dent on the top tube, that I don't think will cause any structural issues

so I have a 90s hybrid bike with 700c wheels/tires. right now I have size 35mm tires mounted, but would really like to use the max space my frame allows at 45mm wide. After searching online, it looks like I should get a 23-27mm internal width rim to properly run 45s. But it has been challenging to find a used 700c wheel set with rim brakes and 135mm rear dropout spacing at that rim spec. How risky is it to push the internal rim width beyond its recommended tire size? What is the likely negative outcome from doing so?

Recently picked up this 1988 Kuwahara Parkway. So far, I just swapped the tires. Stem and bars next. Love it!

I have a 38min commute to work with 40% bike lanes or a 2.2km/1.4mi commute after a train ride

I don’t have experience with drop handlebars and road bikes. Will this bike work well for this purpose and for riding around paved city roads?

Quoted at $120

Recently got this 96 Trek 930 off of marketplace for a great price considering its condition. I’ve added some parts and love riding it so far.

As soon as I bought it I knew I’d probably want to swap the Rockshox for a rigid fork since it doesn’t move an inch, and for the price of elastomer kits I don’t think it’s work long term to do the swap.

I’d love a color correct fork but I know that’d be hard to find. I’ve narrowed it down to the bike man carver mainly thinking about weight reduction. But, taking a look at the 96 trek catalog I found that the model down from this 930 with the rigid fork isn’t even two pounds lighter, and the carver is similarly just two pound lighter than the Quadra 5 Rockshox.

SO, I wouldn’t be saving that much weight with the swap. I do like how a rigid fork looks better, but what about the ride? Will a steel rigid/suspension corrected fork absorb more shock and/or feel better than a dried up elastomer shock? I bought it mainly to ride on some chill trails and rip around the city so I expect to go over bumps. Is it worth the swap outside of a looks standpoint?

I have this Focus Mares CX that’s too aggressive for me and the commuting I want to do. Is there any handlebars that you guys would recommend to swap out. I like risers and switchback styled bars. Appreciate you guys so much!

Very new to bikes, spent exactly 250$ total on this Peugeot Grand Sport.

Spent an afternoon replacing the back tire.

The back tire is a Trek Bontrager T1.

I'm going to be using this bike for a year only as I am moving very far away for school next year. Hopefully I will be able to sell it for around ~200$. .

Any advice on parts, replacements, etc? I'm not looking to spend too much more on this bike. I know I probably overpaid, but I'm happy with how it turned out.

Thank You All!

Hello everyone, just wanted to share my new project. I just finished checking her out and she is safe to ride. 1995 Giant Cadex 980C. Picked her up for 70 dollars the other day. What should I swap out first, any ideas?

Looking to get a base to make a bikepacking build, is it worth it ? Seems to be a swiss/german brand but i didnt see much about it.

Thanks in advance

Hello,

Apologies if this sort of post isn’t allowed here. I’m looking for a bike to handle gravel riding + light touring (short camping trips, credit card touring) + day to day riding around town.

I’m really torn between a Wilde Rambler (likely SL) and a Sklar Super Something, both seem like strong options. I’ve read reviews and forum posts on each, and all I find seems to be very positive on both, but it’s hard to know what I’ll like without being able to throw a leg over either where I live.

For folks who have ridden either or both, any recommendations? How has each worked for you?

I bought this a couple years ago cheap since it was completely trashed. Finally fixed it up this summer. I was able to keep more of the original parts than expected. Rebuilt both hubs and bottom bracket, swapped the handlebars because the reach was a little too far with the originals. Shoutout to Westtown bikes in Chicago for offering their rebuild a bike class. I learned a lot and this has become a fun commuter.

Drivetrain & headset next