"Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
02/25/2015 at 12:36 • Filed to: None
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15|
"Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
02/25/2015 at 12:36 • Filed to: None | 0
| 15 |
So, I know where there's an abandoned BMX bike. It looks pretty cool and it works just fine, but it has a weird extra bar in the frame, similar to this.
Of course, the one I'm talking about has a normally shaped frame, just with that extra bit that for some reason makes it a "girls'" bike. (seriously, gender-specific bikes serve no purpose and should have ended years ago. Aren't girls' bikes shaped differently so that old-timey women can wear a dress without the frame pushing it up awkwardly past their knees? But that's besides the point.) Anyway, I didn't take the bike home when I found it because one of the tires was full of gross water and I didn't have the tools to remove it and dry it out, but I'm wondering if it's worth going back to adopt it. It's also a pink Mongoose, but not one of these BMX-frames-turned-into-a-kids'-bike things like the one pictured. I'm not embarrassed about riding a girls' bike or anything, but then I know that "real" BMX bikes only come in the one style, so I'm curious if there's anything bad about the extra part in the frame other than a bit of added weight. I've never ridden BMX before at all, by the way, and I don't plan on doing any tricks any time soon. I just need a new bike and I can get a free one as long as it's still sitting in that illegal dump in the woods.
Bandit
> Rainbow
02/25/2015 at 12:41 |
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Cut it off, grind it smooth, repaint it a better color. Problem solved
GTI Sprinks
> Rainbow
02/25/2015 at 12:41 |
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i hate to be the one to say this, but that bike you've found abandoned isn't likely worth anything. Not worth it, i promise. 99% of mongoose bikes out there are p.o.s. ones bought at wal-mart where they usually don't put them together right. if you want a real bmx bike, take a gander at what's current on danscomp or the like and see what's out there. Then go support your local bike shop that supports bmx and see what they can do for you.
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Rainbow
> Bandit
02/25/2015 at 12:44 |
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Oh, it's staying pink regardless. That's my favorite color, and this one in particular is a neat metallic. But yeah, I'd cut it off eventually and probably just spray a bit of primer and/or rust neutralizer, then cover the holes with duct tape. At least until I get access to welding materials and tools.
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Rainbow
> GTI Sprinks
02/25/2015 at 12:45 |
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Oh, I know. I'm just itching to ride something . If it's free, it's definitely worth it.
CalzoneGolem
> Rainbow
02/25/2015 at 12:47 |
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I rebuilt a $10 bike for my daughter. Ended up costing $90. I could have bought a new bike for about the same or less.
zeontestpilot
> Rainbow
02/25/2015 at 12:58 |
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Take it and enjoy it. If anyone makes fun of you, they are just secretly jealous.
Mattbob
> Rainbow
02/25/2015 at 12:58 |
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unless you plan on doing sweet (dangerous) tricks, don't ride a BMX. They are horrible at being bikes.
DANGEROUS TRICKS
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zeontestpilot
> GTI Sprinks
02/25/2015 at 13:00 |
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But it's still useful as transportation, especially since it's free.
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GTI Sprinks
> zeontestpilot
02/25/2015 at 14:25 |
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Debatable. Have you seen the state of the abandoned bike? Do you know if some dimwit didn't smash the thing into a curb (and potentially kinking downtube or bending fork off canter). My value of riding something that a) is super sketchy and b)at the best points in its life was a bike shaped object is less than walking.
Alternative: Craigslist hunt. Find a bike co-op.
MysticStick
> Rainbow
02/25/2015 at 14:29 |
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Well even if you just do something with it that recycles it in any way it would be better than it being in an illegal dump. So, go for it and good luck!
whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
> CalzoneGolem
02/25/2015 at 21:01 |
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As a seasoned bike mechanic, I can tell you with great certainty that $100 will not buy you a bike you want to ride. Bikes from department stores are not engineered well, are assembled even more poorly, and have low-grade parts at best. They are designed to last less than a year before they fall apart. If you can pick up a workable bike and fix it to suit your needs, by all means go for it. It's pretty simple, and significantly cheaper than buying a bike that will last you.
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whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
> Bandit
02/25/2015 at 21:03 |
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I would recommend strongly against this. Since the downtube (the one the seat post slides into) does not extend down to the bottom bracket (where the crank goes through) that piece that "makes it a girl's bike" is structural. If you remove it, ride at your own risk.
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CalzoneGolem
> whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/26/2015 at 08:07 |
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Nah I can keep them going for years. They are just going to out grown in a year or two anyways.
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whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
> CalzoneGolem
02/26/2015 at 11:55 |
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This may be true for kids bikes, but once you're dealing with adult sized bikes and heaver people, they tend not to last very long.
TheRealBicycleBuck
> Rainbow
03/01/2015 at 09:57 |
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Cheap bikes (especially free bikes) are just that - cheap bikes. Weight and rust are the enemies, but if you aren't doing anything but using it for riding around, the weight won't be much of an issue. If you are using it for transportation, find something different. There isn't a worse style of bike for riding any distance.
BMX and freestyle bikes look similar, but the freestyle bike (like the one you pictured) has more parts that cause trouble. The freestyle bike has a "gyro" around the headset which allows the front wheel to be spun 360°. A BMX bike doesn't need this.
True BMX and freestyle bikes have a rear freewheel instead of a coaster brake. The presence of hand-operated brakes doesn't mean much since many bikes for kids have both hand brakes and a coaster brake. Look for a torque arm on the left side. It will come from the rear hub and be strapped to the left chain stay.
If it has chrome rims and a freewheel (like the bike you posted), know that caliper brakes and chrome rims are a bad combination and you should consider something different. Chrome rims are the equivalent of glazed brake rotors and do a terrible job of stopping a bike, especially when wet.
If it's been sitting outside for a while, you will need to do a full rust examination. The parts that are critical are the chain, the brake cables, and the hubs. The bottom bracket (the bearings for the crank) and the headset (upper and lower bearings for the front fork) should also be checked, but I would start with the hubs. If these are bad, you may as well toss the bike back into the trash pile.
Cheap bikes usually have a coaster brake and you will need to check it for rust. This means tearing down the rear hub for the check, cleaning and re-greasing. This is really important since a rusty coaster brake will perform poorly, may not apply the brakes, may overheat, and could lock up.
If it has a freewheel in back (you can spin the crank backwards as much as you want), it still needs to be torn down, checked for rust, cleaned and re-greased. If it is a freewheel, then it will have standard caliper brakes . If the pads are hard, they probably should be replaced. Also check the cables as these often get water in them and rust. If the brakes stick when the brake lever is pulled, that is a sure sign of rust in the cable housing.
While the bike is being torn down, the front hub, headset, and crank bearings should all be re-greased. Since you are going cheap, you can find cheap parts at Walmart. they have rebuild kits with new brake pads, cables and housings. While you are there, grab a new chain.
Here's a link to a full overhaul checklist . This may be overkill for what you are trying to do, but you can't go wrong by being thorough. Good luck!