Monday, November 16, 2009

Bike Building project 01: The Frame




Allegedly, there's some chrome under that chipped white paint and rust. I’m gonna go find it.

I live on Craigslist. I check it habitually.

Wake up, eat breakfast, check email, get to work, check email, and check Craigslist.

It’s the 5th thing I do EVERY day! And 2 of the 4 things I do before it is check email. I keep on it because I knew that one day there would be the right bike for me, somewhere, some day, available in downtown Toronto (like I’m going to Oshawa to check out a bike, really).

I’ve seen that bike, that perfect bike – probably a few times a month. It’s come in the form of Specialized Lancers, Giants, old Cannondales, lovely bikes at a very fair price. The listings even made it seem like the bikes were legitimately loved and cared for – they even spelled everything properly and had pictures without the “available upon request.” I always hate that part, are they that lazy? Do they think saying “Bike, red, $100 – pics available on request” doesn’t make them sound like a dick? – off topic.

Dream bikes, right.

All of the bikes I wanted had the same problem:

They’re too small.

Maybe I’m too big? Yeah, that sounds better.

I’m too big.

At 6’4 I’m in the top 5% of men in terms of height.

Top 2% in everything else, except for skiing.

Fuck skiing.

I need a 63cm+ frame.

I ride a 63cm right now with the seat up at least another 10.

This rusty Ciocc is a 64. Halleluiah. It’s pretty light, but then everything bike frame feels light when you’re used to a steeler with a big kryptonite lock hanging off of it, also most bikes have wheels… and a seat. Still, feels light, feels good.

It’s got a Jun stem and a nothing-special-about-it dropbar. I might cut it or something, just for fun.

Check the pictures, next time you see this, it’ll be prettier.

I picked it up with a wheelset for $200. It’s going to be the best deal I get in this whole process. The guy even came by my place and dropped it off for me. Thanks, I don't remember your name.

RUNNING TOTAL: $200

RUNNING TIME: 30 minutes.

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