r/xbiking

When I've posted about my triple in the past one of the things which seemed to generate most interest was the ghost ring, which is a long established way of bodging chain tension.

Evidently someone else was interested in my ghost ring as when we came to unlock the triple and head for home the other day it was gone! Can't imagine why an old chainring with the lugs ground off would be worth nicking, scrap value must be non existent.

Luckily we made it home without slipping the chain and I had a replacement in the parts bin, annoyingly though this one is steel and I haven't yet had chance to grind it down adding many unwanted grams to our otherwise featherlight build.

I’m dealing with a genuinely difficult candidate here: a 26-inch folding bike. The thing is ridiculously practical (it rides for free on public transport!), but aesthetically, I suspect I’m not the only one struggling with it. The frame shape is just… visually awkward.

Maybe someone has an idea how to make it look better? I’d love to hear any tips or suggestions.

But first, a very basic question: Which looks better - skinwall or blackwall?

Please cast your vote! 😅 Thank you.

this Riverside 500 is my bike. I like a lot how it rides, but I find it a bit ugly, so I am trying to make it look cooler/prettier, but I al struggling a bit on what mods I could make. I am looking for suggestions

Maybe tyres with a side tan color and colored brake lines?

I picked this up on marketplace for $50. I got her running again with some new tires, brake levers and various purple additions to go with the Hardrock logo. This is gonna be my dad bike for the foreseeable future while my daughter learns to ride her bike.

Dawes galaxy repaint.

I’m not really sure how to fully articulate this but I will try. I recently discovered the world of alt biking/custom bikes etc and I am obsessed.

The only problem is, I know nothing about bikes, customising, buying etc and want any advice from those who’ve tried.

I just wanted some advice and maybe pointing in the right direction to begin my journey, I feel it’s difficult to know exactly what I want or how to start.

For starters, I used to ride bikes all the time growing up. I’m now 29M, around 186cm, and recently moved to Spain (Cataluña). I really want to have some kind of project to do as I’ve kind of lost myself in the corporate world and feel as though I need something to ground me and help me escape. I loved cycling, and I love this idea of building a bike from the ground up, however it is intimidating as I’m not really sure how to start. And I want it to feel super crisp and smooth.

The style/purpose/type of bike or its use:

I essentially want something I can cycle on roads but with the comfort to handle gravel/slightly rougher tracks. I want the ride to be chill and comfy but also kinda fast if needed. I don’t want suspension. I would use it initially to cycle between local villages, cruising around the local town on the coast, and essentially just something super fun. I later do fancy the idea of adventure biking and customising the bike with pack stuff, nothing crazy serious, at most maybe 1 day trip, but enough that the bike can handle some rougher terrain. I really like the aesthetic of cycling between towns/villages and using it for that sort of thing, and maybe taking it on road trips to the north of Spain and using it there. The aesthetic/style I like are attached as pics, I’m also curious how people manage to essentially choose one style/colour scheme, as I see so many people’s bikes and I’m just amazed at their creativity and personality.

I tried looking on Wallapop (spains Facebook marketplace) and also on Google to find local bike stores, but it seems the bike stores look more like pro athelete 5-10k € road bike places which doesn’t fit my vibe of chill fun adventure that im after. Does anyone have any purchasing advice or ideas of where to begin? Also if so, what sort of bike/frame etc should I be going for?

Is there a couple brands or is it like ‘anything’ works as long as it fits certain criteria?

Obligatory: is this xbiking?

1996 (I think?) 700c GT Virage (see page 40 of the 1996 GT Catalog). Built it up to use as a more practical touring rig than my 26er build. I was a little hesitant to build up an aluminum frame, but pretty comfy with the 40c tubeless gravelkings and contact points that work for me. This is my second geared bike build. Looking pretty good for a 30 year old frame 👀 what do y’all think? A little skeptical of the rear brake set up, but it held up on a 25 mile test ride. Still working on fine tuning that.

New tires. First upgrade done. What should I upgrade next???

I picked up this 1990 Raleigh Deore DX for $60 off Kijiji today. I was expecting it to be my winter project but it looks like it’s barely been ridden. I’ll put new tires, seat & pedals on and get to ripping up the bike paths!

Love this bike, ride like a race beast.

Like so many post here I’m so glad I found it cause I love old vintage stuff and utilizing what still can be used and what was great still should be great to me. Anywho put 30 miles on this thing yesterday and I’m so happy, my legs are a little upset though haha.

Just finished my (1994?) Giant Iguana build. Super happy with how it turned out!

Off the shelf parts-able

Obviously the sub loves a triple triangle but I also really wanted a red bike.

This lanky unit came up locally for £50 and as a 6,5” guy I have a policy of jumping on big frames.

It really needs to be fully stripped back and dealt with bit by bit. Budget will be tight so will need to get creative with the parts bin (although I am prone to splashing out on fancy bars). Any inspirational ideas from fellow GT owners?

Aside from the obvious rebuild stuff, I’d love to find some rigid forks, possibly do the bmx stem thing? Thoughts?