Junk box hipster build

By stinky pete on 04/09/2009. Bike tags: Single speed | Hipster | home built | single speed

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Frame / Size / Year:
Dumpster dive rescued old Schwinn Le Tour

Handlebars / Stem:
Cut down MTB bars w/finger savers bar ends - "Custom" stem, what ever that means...

Fork / Headset:
Stock

Front Wheel / Hub / Rim / Tire:
An old wheel set I saved from a Bianchi I had once

Rear Wheel / Hub / Rim / Tire:
Same as front but laced up up a coster brake hub off a junker

Crankset / Bottom Bracket:
"Modified" stock from my parts box (read angle grinder)

Saddle / Seat Post:
Stock when I got it from the dumpster

Pedals / Chain:
Same as above

Gearing / Chainring / Misc.:
42 in front and what ever the back had on it off the junker

Notes:

This is something I built up for the heck of it with parts laying around my shop I got tired of looking at.
It does OK around town for what it is I guess, but the seat feels strange. Also I haven't till now tried a set of bars so narrow before, but the bar ends help with extra hand positions and would protect your fingers from mirrors in close clearances if you misjudged. I'd put on a front brake, but I don't have one on hand that reaches since the frame is set up for 27 inch wheels...
I think I’ll stick with more traditional designs

UPDATE; SOLD at the 29th Annual Ann Arbor/Saline, Michigan Classic Bicycle Show and Swap Meet April 26th, 2009. One mans trash is worth 30 bucks in this case it would seem...

People who friended this bike cicadashell, nexus6, PHANTOM

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Submitted by PHANTOM on 05/04/2009.

that brake setup makes me want to build something similar.. that piece of chain sure is a crude solution but it looks strong enough.

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Yea, its fun to experiment isn’t it?

Submitted by stinky pete on 05/04/2009.

Thanks. I would recommend that front brake though again though. You never know when you might through a chain on such a cobbled together bike. Also perhaps a better way to secure that break arm as well... I do think it gives it a certain character, though I think spreading the load out would be safer.

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Submitted by PHANTOM on 05/06/2009.

yeah you're right about that it can potentially be dangerous if you use an old chain.. I don't know about where you live but around here it's actually mandatory to run a front and a rear brake, except if you use a coaster brake. As a result there are countless of coaster brake bicycles around here, mostly older models, and although I'm sure it has happened I never heard of a chain snapping while braking.
The piece of chain that holds the brake arm should in my opinion be as strong as the little bracket that's welded to the chain stay on intended coaster brake bicycles. I can imagine it could create a weak spot over the course of years but hey, it's all about having fun while it lasts ;)

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