Bike Stuff!

"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo) 06/04/2020 at 15:52 • Filed to: None

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Last Night I had the brilliant idea to put old MTB wheels on my Schwinn Varsity turned muscle bike thing. I love it.

Going from 27x1 1/4 to a 26x1.95 made a huge difference, for one I can touch the ground now. This bike is wicked tall. I’m 6’1” and I could not touch the ground when seated on, and you can see the seat isn’t set very high. But also it handles cracks and bumps and sand much better as you’d expect. Looks cooler and if a better daily rider.

I also went and bought my wife this old school MTB. For the sandy smooth trials she’ll ride on this will do just fine, unlike her old 700x35c hybrid bike. The challenge with buyi Nd her a bike is she 5’1” so she needs a real small bike. Small frame MTBs are not common. This is a Diamondback Topanga. I think it’s like a 95. 

I bought it at a bike shop so I paid a bit to much for it, but it’s tuned up with some new parts so I’m okay with that.

Slant6 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/04/2020 at 16:08

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A mid 90s mountain bike with no suspension is the best way to get around a city. Light enough you can carry it on your shoulders easily, but robust enough to take off a curb. With 26" street tires they’re a real hoot. I have a ‘96 chromolly Univega that's so fun to use on the street. And it looks shitty enough not to steal, really peak urban transport. That Diamondback will treat her well. 

jminer > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/04/2020 at 16:12

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That’s awesome!  I’ve been looking for a bike for my short wife as well, everyone else buying bikes though has made this harder...

TheRealBicycleBuck > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 06/04/2020 at 16:33

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How about the brakes? It looks like you didn’t hook any up on the back .

I have drop bolts on my old Schwinn that’s been converted to 26" MTB wheels. The drop bolts give a little more reach so the pads aren’t mounted at the end of the calipers.

Enhance:

I love this setup. The bigger tires really help smooth out rough roads. If you want to make  some drop bolts, go to the guru, Sheldon Brown .

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/04/2020 at 16:56

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I actually Lost the rear brakes when I did the eight hanger bars because I use the rear brake line for the front. I never bothered to hook up a new one because this bike was free and I’ve tried to keep it that way.

For the wheel conversion  I pulled the caliper off a cheap BMX I had laying around. Works perfect, and happened to be almost the same blue as the frame.

facw > Slant6 06/04/2020 at 17:01

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I had a ‘95 GT Outpost Trail at my parents’ house

Sort of like this but probably one frame size smaller:

My dad got rid of it when they moved, without even asking, despite the fact they had plenty of room. I’m still a bit bitter. Admittedly, it wouldn’t be my first choice to ride, but just the difference in handling between my 29" bike and the 26" made it interesting and a refreshing change of pace.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > TheRealBicycleBuck 06/04/2020 at 17:20

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