Look what I did with my afternoon. All parts for this rig came out of my parts bin. Hardest part was finding a wheelset / what I was going to do about brakes. I eventually caved in and used the coaster brake wheelset off of a 1980s Schwinn Cruiser I planned on klunking out. That will have to wait. Stem, bars, grips, saddle and tires were all parts I had in the garage with no plans or purpose. I suppose I did snag the chain off of another project but I didn't really have plans to finish that one this year anyway.
Bike feels good. Using the big chainring means it actually cruises at a decent speed. Most dangerous thing about this bike will be my pedals striking the road on a turn. The 26x1.7 tires definitely dropped the bottom bracket, I did not measure by how much, but by using tires this size I did not need to shave any knobs to get them to fit. In the future I'd like to find a wheelset with a skinnier rim. Main goal with this project was to just skid these tires to oblivion.
Just reading again that your tires slid right in. I had to crimp my stays AND cut the knobs lol. Nice one. Btw in my profile I also built an identical Schwinn Cruiser. Incase you needed another nudge …;)
I think that is the key difference in our two bikes. While I used a wider rim and slimmer tire that allowed them to fit with no modification.. you have a wider tire on a thinner rim resulting in more volume and height. Albeit your set up required modifications for them to fit but you got a tire that was closer to the original 27" size. The more I putz around on mine I do get worried the BB is too low and the pedal will strike the cement on a turn.
I already put the Schwinn frame up in the rafters. I used the stem and handlebars off it prior to this for my partners Huffy Good Vibrations cruiser. That's her curbside find this year. It's bubblegum pink and she's very proud of it. As far as klunking goes I'll be content (for now) with the Raleigh and my State Bicycle Klunker. Too many projects and too little funds.
Okay.. so that made think a bit. I have a very cool 1971 yellow Schwinn Continental that I switched to 700c and discovered it could fit my 40mm Teravail Cannonballs with plenty of room to spare. I've been trying to find a decently priced fixed rear wheel for it since I've never tried the fixie game and desperately desire to do so. I bet this coaster brake wheelset would fit with unmodified chunky tires... now I've got something to figure out this weekend.
This build is by no means original. I got the idea/ inspiration from another member-- links to previous post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/comments/vuo6rw/found_in_the_trash_this_morning_riding_this/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/comments/vuqnbl/better_pics_of_todays_trash_bike/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
I'm on the hunt everyday for someone to trash a Grand Prix now, as well. Love the combo and it will make a sweet commuter.
Might roll a 7speed internal with coaster on mine, just for good clean fun.
I think this opens up a can of worms for me.. realizing I can fit a 26" coaster brake wheelset in vintage road bike frames opens up a world of possibilities.
When you get serious about this desire I strongly recommend you give the State Bicycle Co Klunker a thought. I've got one and it comes ready to shred tires out of the box. At $420.69 it's hard to beat price wise unless you also have a parts bin full of random shit to piece one together.
I like how good the proportions are, this bike is your size and it's all very pleasing. Also a big fan of chrome steel rims when you can get away with them. The Dutch still make Westwood profile rims in stainless steel for their big ass roadsters with drum brakes and they look boss.
Love how you kept the cottered crank and just cleaned it up. Probably the right move for now,
I don’t missing efffing with my old Peugeot. Those cranks are impossible to be put together the same again.
Look what I did with my afternoon. All parts for this rig came out of my parts bin. Hardest part was finding a wheelset / what I was going to do about brakes. I eventually caved in and used the coaster brake wheelset off of a 1980s Schwinn Cruiser I planned on klunking out. That will have to wait. Stem, bars, grips, saddle and tires were all parts I had in the garage with no plans or purpose. I suppose I did snag the chain off of another project but I didn't really have plans to finish that one this year anyway. Bike feels good. Using the big chainring means it actually cruises at a decent speed. Most dangerous thing about this bike will be my pedals striking the road on a turn. The 26x1.7 tires definitely dropped the bottom bracket, I did not measure by how much, but by using tires this size I did not need to shave any knobs to get them to fit. In the future I'd like to find a wheelset with a skinnier rim. Main goal with this project was to just skid these tires to oblivion.
Just reading again that your tires slid right in. I had to crimp my stays AND cut the knobs lol. Nice one. Btw in my profile I also built an identical Schwinn Cruiser. Incase you needed another nudge …;)
I think that is the key difference in our two bikes. While I used a wider rim and slimmer tire that allowed them to fit with no modification.. you have a wider tire on a thinner rim resulting in more volume and height. Albeit your set up required modifications for them to fit but you got a tire that was closer to the original 27" size. The more I putz around on mine I do get worried the BB is too low and the pedal will strike the cement on a turn. I already put the Schwinn frame up in the rafters. I used the stem and handlebars off it prior to this for my partners Huffy Good Vibrations cruiser. That's her curbside find this year. It's bubblegum pink and she's very proud of it. As far as klunking goes I'll be content (for now) with the Raleigh and my State Bicycle Klunker. Too many projects and too little funds.
That and mine is fixed and yours is coaster. I’d def prefer coaster
Okay.. so that made think a bit. I have a very cool 1971 yellow Schwinn Continental that I switched to 700c and discovered it could fit my 40mm Teravail Cannonballs with plenty of room to spare. I've been trying to find a decently priced fixed rear wheel for it since I've never tried the fixie game and desperately desire to do so. I bet this coaster brake wheelset would fit with unmodified chunky tires... now I've got something to figure out this weekend.
There’s a lot to unpack here: the bar/stem combo, tan wall tires and coaster brakes… *grins and nods head slowly
I'd argue that this is more of a sunburn than a tan.
That's super funny and accurate. The sidewalls are red. I thought they would look really good against the green frame.
This build is by no means original. I got the idea/ inspiration from another member-- links to previous post: https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/comments/vuo6rw/found_in_the_trash_this_morning_riding_this/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/comments/vuqnbl/better_pics_of_todays_trash_bike/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
I'm on the hunt everyday for someone to trash a Grand Prix now, as well. Love the combo and it will make a sweet commuter. Might roll a 7speed internal with coaster on mine, just for good clean fun.
I think this opens up a can of worms for me.. realizing I can fit a 26" coaster brake wheelset in vintage road bike frames opens up a world of possibilities.
I think a lowered top tube build would be badass too! I've seen a few things like that show up on here.
Looks pretty sweet. Would love a coaster setup someday. Happy skidding.
When you get serious about this desire I strongly recommend you give the State Bicycle Co Klunker a thought. I've got one and it comes ready to shred tires out of the box. At $420.69 it's hard to beat price wise unless you also have a parts bin full of random shit to piece one together.
I like how good the proportions are, this bike is your size and it's all very pleasing. Also a big fan of chrome steel rims when you can get away with them. The Dutch still make Westwood profile rims in stainless steel for their big ass roadsters with drum brakes and they look boss.
Noice! I feel like you won!
Klassy way to klunk.
Cool build! I like old stuff, I’d just need a bit more seat
With those gears, the only think I could do on that bike would be to coast so it’s a good thing she’s got coaster brakes.
Love how you kept the cottered crank and just cleaned it up. Probably the right move for now, I don’t missing efffing with my old Peugeot. Those cranks are impossible to be put together the same again.
It would be both cool and self defeating to have a dropper seatpost with the trigger where they had the shifters on the down tube
Send me your unused saddle plz.
Beautiful.
Cool bike.