Project Commuter - aka The Faceplant Machine - lots of pics! | Thread profile

I've been thinking about commuting by bike for a while now, but I didn't have the cash to buy a decent bike to commute on. And I wasn't about to commute on my FS SS mountain bike. Then I heard my grandpa was getting ready to throw away an old mountain bike, so I called him up and he said "if you'll come get it, it's yours." So I got it. It's an early 90's Trek 830 Antelope. Butted chromoly ...

Nice bike! Great recycle project Quote: Originally Posted by dgaddis1 ...Anyone know what this thing is on the inside of the seat stay? There's not one on the other side.... It's to hang the chain on when you remove the rear wheel.

Grandpa kept it clean, you gotta give him that. Put some slicks on it and you are good to go.

I'm doing the same thing with an old steel hardtail. I painted frame and fork, put on leftover bars, grips, shifters,brakes, seat, seat post, new cables, and waiting for a new chain and cassette. Why wear out expensive components commuting? Fun project!

Quote: Originally Posted by rail the trail IWhy wear out expensive components commuting? Fun project! Exactly! I spent a total of about $50 on this bike, and that was for tires and tubes. Not bad. Post some pics of yours once you get it built. I took mine on a 30 mile road ride last night, and it rode great. But it started...

So, got a call from grandpa last night. He found the owners manual to the bike, along with the reciept from when he bought it - July 1989! So, it just turned 19 years old last month. The bike was $349.95, then he bought a gel seat cover, the rack, and "the best mountain bike tires available" which kicked to price up to $500.63 including tax. That was lot of money for a bike in 1989!!

That little seat stay nipple is a place to hang the chain when you remove the back wheel. Clever, huh? Most of that 500 bucks probably went towards those 80 spokes. Caz

great job, the bike looks much better and i'm sure you'll enjoy your commuting more after your initial spill (i also endo'd on my first ride to work, with an audience of coworkers). i love to see old bikes get a new lease of life.