Mark,
This bike was stolen recently from my friends garage and recovered less than 24
hours later at recycled cycles. Strangely, almost all the parts had been
switched out in what seems to have been an attempt to make a hipster type fixed
gear. Problem was, the person/people doing the job had very little idea about
bikes and the conversion was unridable. Presumably it was at recycled so that
their pro mechanics could put right the thieves half assed wrench work.
I had built a pretty nice front utility rack for this bike about a year ago and
the thieves had presumably junked it which was a real shame, there were a lot of
labor hours in that rack.
Anyway, my friend asked me to get the bike back on the road so I decided to give
him my interpretation of a useful city utility bike whilst trying to retain much
of its beater appeal.
Originally designed for 27" wheels and caliper brakes I brazed on some canti
studs and installed 700c wheels. This gained the clearance needed for fenders
and a chubbier (700 x 32c) tire. An old (but excellent condition) Suntour 14 -
34 five speed freewheel in a half step plus granny drivetrain gives a dishless
rear wheel and a good spread of closely spaced ratios for hauling groceries and
kids. Priest bars, bar end shifters, an old Tioga Tbone steel mtb stem, Brooks
saddle and the front cro-moly steel rack (finished in rustoleum, of course)
finish it all off.
I'm really happy with how it came out. The only thing that would have made it
sweeter would be if I could have been there when the bike thief came back to the
bike shop to pick up his repair.
Alistair.
more photos from Alistair
That's a shame they trashed that beautiful front rack. But it's great the bike was recovered. Many bike thieves are incredibly stupid. Stealing a bike and taking it into Recycled Cycles the same day for repairs because you're such a lame mechanic you can't even build up a hipster single speed...that's funny. I hope you can at least go back and get a good story from the mechanics about the look on hipster thief's face when he came back for your friend's bike.
Which reminds me, PJ's SyCip was stolen a couple weeks ago in Belltown. It's a very distinctive frame, compact geometry, fixed gear, and no matter what color they spray paint it, it will be recognized. Look for it. This is a photo from a few months ago...but that frame is not something you see everyday...look for it.
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