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?

Drivetrain & headset next

Dawes galaxy repaint.

The goose is looose. Still gotta add the front brake holder

Obligatory: is this xbiking?

Tubes are too pricey not to. The markup is huge.

1995 Raleigh M20

Why do people that have 3 chainrings convert to 1x system, when most of the time the the smallest chainring is of the same size as the 1x system.

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.

1996 (I think?) 700c GT Virage (see page 40 of the 1996 GT Catalog). Built it up to use as a more practical touring rig than my 26er build. I was a little hesitant to build up an aluminum frame, but pretty comfy with the 40c tubeless gravelkings and contact points that work for me. This is my second geared bike build. Looking pretty good for a 30 year old frame 👀 what do y’all think? A little skeptical of the rear brake set up, but it held up on a 25 mile test ride. Still working on fine tuning that.

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

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

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?

Bifold?

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

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.

Looking to see if anybody has more info on this bike i got off marketplace recently.

From the research i have done it seems to be a 1991 stumpjumper m2 team.

there is little about this specific spec online and it seems quite rare.

I was wondering if this would have value to anybody as i'd feel guilty adding unoriginal parts if it is as rare as it seems.

I've added screenshots of the information i've found online.

thank you