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Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 20 Jun 2023, 7:59am
by 531colin
Saracen forks are def backwards in the picture; the fork brace should be at the front, at least when he is riding.
These coloured bolts are probably not steel, their strength and corrosion resistance are questionable
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 20 Jun 2023, 9:42am
by Pinhead
gregoryoftours wrote: ↑20 Jun 2023, 12:12am
Pinhead wrote: ↑19 Jun 2023, 7:33pm
Me too
Sanderson LIFE Frame and all parts chosen and built to my design
IMG_1477.JPGIMG_1465.JPGIMG_1464.JPGIMG_1463.JPGIMG_1462.JPG
Um, it's a bit hard to be sure because the bars/stem and the fork are in 2 separate photos but as far as I can tell the fork on the Saracen is back to front. The orientation of the stem riser bolts in the 2 photos confirms this for me. While not necessarily actively dangerous it will give very odd handling, certainly not what the manufacturer intended. I think that it will make the bike reluctant to turn, and also there is a likelihood that toes will hit the wheel when turning the bike while pedaling.
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 20 Jun 2023, 9:44am
by Pinhead
gregoryoftours wrote: ↑20 Jun 2023, 12:12am
Pinhead wrote: ↑19 Jun 2023, 7:33pm
Me too
Sanderson LIFE Frame and all parts chosen and built to my design
IMG_1477.JPGIMG_1465.JPGIMG_1464.JPGIMG_1463.JPGIMG_1462.JPG
Um, it's a bit hard to be sure because the bars/stem and the fork are in 2 separate photos but as far as I can tell the fork on the Saracen is back to front. The orientation of the stem riser bolts in the 2 photos confirms this for me. While not necessarily actively dangerous it will give very odd handling, certainly not what the manufacturer intended. I think that it will make the bike reluctant to turn, and also there is a likelihood that toes will hit the wheel when turning the bike while pedaling.
Actually It is the right way I just turned the lot 180 to get to the pinhead locks
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 20 Jun 2023, 11:24am
by PH
Is that brown chain a custom item?
My bikes are not very decorative, though I've chosen every component (Sometimes with more consideration than it warranted), there's nothing as attractive IMO as a bike that looks both well used and well maintained.
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 20 Jun 2023, 1:16pm
by 531colin
The fork brace is at the front of the forks.
The front and rear disc brake are on the same side ie. the left (non drive side)
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 20 Jun 2023, 7:37pm
by gregoryoftours
Pinhead wrote: ↑20 Jun 2023, 9:44am
Actually It is the right way I just turned the lot 180 to get to the pinhead locks
Img_1480.jpg
IMG_1479.JPG
I don't quite understand - where are the pinhead locks? And will the fork be flipped back 180° to ride again? Because at the moment the fork is backwards relative to the bars and the rest of the bike.
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 20 Jun 2023, 8:55pm
by gregoryoftours
In answer to your original question, I don't customize for appearance particularly but yes nearly all of my bikes have been built from bits and changing/trying different parts etc., And I too enjoy the process of getting there, although there is rarely a final finish point! I much prefer older bikes or at least ones that aren't completely stock.
I find slightly older bikes much more interesting, and while a lot of new bikes ride well etc I do find the marketing really annoying these days, and that many bike parts are way too expensive and unnecessary for many people. Lots of the bike industry is becoming a rich person's game. For example what kind of idiot would think that a £650 SRAM cassette was money well spent?
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 20 Jun 2023, 9:50pm
by cycle tramp
PH wrote: ↑20 Jun 2023, 11:24am
Is that brown chain a custom item? ..... there's nothing as attractive IMO as a bike that looks both well used and well maintained.
Sharp intake of breath......
Okay, here's the rules, when I give the word both parties will take ten paces forward, on my second word both parties will draw their pistols and fire one shot each...
Apart from the administration of first aid no parties will receive any other assistance from any person...
Okay. Well, if no-one has anything more to add, gentlemen stand back to back...
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 21 Jun 2023, 5:51am
by pwa
My bikes are usually ones that I have made up myself. I buy the frame and forks, then build up the rest of the bike using a combination of old and new parts, all chosen by me to make up a bike that suits me perfectly. The result is that my bike isn't exactly the same as any other bike out there. It is "custom" from the start, but that's not why I do it that way, Lots of cyclists who do their own bike maintenance end up doing that, because it is not all that complicated to do. And you get things exactly as you like them. For bolts I prefer stainless steel, and use a dab of copper grease when they go in.
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 21 Jun 2023, 6:06am
by re_cycler
I think of bikes as just a coalescion of parts. Bits come and go and builds change to reflect requirements at that time. It's why the idea of trying to give a description for insurance or the idea of having to register a bike seems almost impossible.
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 21 Jun 2023, 9:58am
by Jdsk
531colin wrote: ↑20 Jun 2023, 7:59am...
These coloured bolts are probably not steel, their strength and corrosion resistance are questionable
Wise words.
Motorbike shops are a good source of coloured fasteners, but many (of the latter) are only suitable for attaching trim and unstressed panels.
Jonathan
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 21 Jun 2023, 11:32am
by Pinhead
gregoryoftours wrote: ↑20 Jun 2023, 7:37pm
Pinhead wrote: ↑20 Jun 2023, 9:44am
Actually It is the right way I just turned the lot 180 to get to the pinhead locks
Img_1480.jpg
IMG_1479.JPG
I don't quite understand - where are the pinhead locks? And will the fork be flipped back 180° to ride again? Because at the moment the fork is backwards relative to the bars and the rest of the bike.
I just turned the steering round to unlock the pinhead locks that lock the wheel to the fork
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 21 Jun 2023, 11:33am
by Pinhead
Pinhead wrote: ↑21 Jun 2023, 11:32am
gregoryoftours wrote: ↑20 Jun 2023, 7:37pm
Pinhead wrote: ↑20 Jun 2023, 9:44am
Actually It is the right way I just turned the lot 180 to get to the pinhead locks
Img_1480.jpg
IMG_1479.JPG
I don't quite understand - where are the pinhead locks? And will the fork be flipped back 180° to ride again? Because at the moment the fork is backwards relative to the bars and the rest of the bike.
I just turned the steering round to unlock the pinhead locks that lock the wheel to the fork
The problem is that my "bolts" are M8 not M5 and coloured are rare
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 21 Jun 2023, 1:28pm
by Audax67
When I bought mine it looked like this:
I guess I've changed a couple of things since.
Re: Does anyone here customize their bike
Posted: 21 Jun 2023, 2:57pm
by 531colin
THE FORKS ARE THE WRONG WAY ROUND
THE DISC BRAKE GOES ON THE LEFT SIDE
THE FORK BRACE THATS THE WHITE BIT CONNECTING THE TWO WHITE LOWER LEGS GOES AT THE FRONT