nice one. i like the paint to the black of the rest. small frame i see.

if you’d like to hear “love or hate” as stated in your description i would say “love all of the bike except the red ring of the tires.” ^^

nice work love the color

Very disappointed, I mean nice try for your pride and joy, but with all the hype and going back and forth with others about this bike being the best ride and better than what they can build, the only way it can be better than their builds is if they don’t build bikes at all. I think your Raleigh is better than this, sad to say, but hey at least you tried, we all tend to fail one way or another, but in your case you failed twice, AFTER talking mad crap to everyone else. I hope you go down to Media, PA, where you “aparently” build better bikes than gabe, and buy one of
his bikes, because this is atrocious. Ok I’m done for now

Daniel: crank was around $65.

I wouldn’t change a thing except:

I would put a white rim on the front,
an orange deep v on the rear,
orange one piece cranks, orange chain,
drop bars with blue tape at an odd angle,
a blue front tire and an all black rear,
and I would get a new frame.
I would also rattle-can it white, and paint the forks white and dip the ends ever so gently in heavenly orange.
I would leave the seat.

If I couldn’t have all of those changes, then I guess I would still like this one.

If I did make those subtle changes I suppose I would want it back the way it was rather quickly.

@scozzy, LOL. That train wreck sounds hilarious.
Nice bike. Very minimal which I always like. I’m kind of surprised you’re running a front brake on a non machined wheel. Yeah, you must have a lot of hills around with that gear ratio. Overall, its a pretty good looking bike.

@scozzy again, LOL!!!

Nice work Luftie. Kinda what I expected- clean build, front brake. Tidy overall.
Enjoy

Thanks ng. The armadillos look way redder and brighter than they really are. They’re quite brick colored but I agree about the gators, they should look good. I might just get one but I’m not sure if that’ll look weird, because $90 is a lot to throw down on a set of tires and I was hesistant about getting both armadillos. Then again I could just switch the front and back when the back gets burnt out. That’s what I need to do soon wth the arms.

Affirmative.

I gotta like it. It’s GREEN! Well done Luftie. It is a tidy piece of work. I get the name and the bullet caps. Nice touches. So glad it hasn’t got white rims. The boy done good. Maybe someday one of mine will look this well thought out.

Thanks guys. It means a lot.

ng: I’ve only had my armadillos one season and the rear tire has lost it’s tread. As far as how often I skid, the appropriate question would be how often don’t I? I like top speeds, wobble skids, and of course the timeless drifting around corners. I was thinking of trying some action shots.

Cheers.

talking about skidding, i recently changed out my friend’s tire+tube. Turns out, he skid so much, he skidded through the tire and on the tube. POOF!

That’s awesome!! Definitely got his moneys worth. I’ll have to try that ng, depending on the steepness.

WSB has a point, though. I remember reading that and deciding an odd number (ie 42-17) sounded better than 42-16. “Simplify your gear ratio to the smallest whole number ratio. The denominator of the resulting fraction is the number of skid patches you will have on your rear tire.” Meaning 42-16 reduces to 21-8, and there are 8 patches. But 42-17 doesn’t reduce because it’s odd and thus there are 17 skid patches, which allows for more even tire wear when skidding is concerned. So Wes’ pal probably ran an even ratio and had fewer patches, resulting in more wear in fewer places. Or he just rode the piss out of it and it was purely coincidence the tire only broke through in that area. What in saying is, Sheldon Brown rocks. Cheers.

5.67? People just don’t recognize awesomeness when they see it. But it is a newer style and i myself am prone to vintage frames. Cheers.

i think people don’t get compact geometry. this frame reminds me of a brooklyn mach. works gangsta track which i love theres one on here and it was rated about the same. this sites just kinda old school i guess.

There you go again calling people names! Wow! You must be like 16-22 kid.. I stated my option & said it “looks” like a mtb frame not that it was… You have allot to learn youngster! Cheers!

Oh man, here comes another troll war.

John Thompson…Actually I’m 35. And yes skidding is fun. Maybe you should try it. But be careful…it does take some skill. Wouldn’t want you to fall down and get hurt. I find it enjoyable to do the kind of riding on my fixed that I can’t on my others. Part of the pleasure of riding a bike, or different bikes John is utilizing them to their fullest capacity.

Oh and hey John, you’re kind of annoying. Until you tell us which bike is yours or at least stop crying all the time we’re gonna have to give you a “time out”.

john boy,pony up.what bike’syours.enquiring minds want to know.

Sorry DeepV. When you comment purely for the sake of being a dick I can’t find it in my heart to give you the benefit of the doubt. At least when I “bash” on someone’s bike I tell them what I do or don’t like about it. And the same goes for you as for John, either post your bike or zip it. “Hahahaha” —-and you say I’m the 16-22 year old? You guys need help.

I at least mention the fact that I actually own a bike, am familiar with components, and have the balls to post it when I know jerks like you will hate on it purely for the sport. And I never self-proclaimed I was a badass. I have a strong opinion and share it honestly with others at the expense of being criticized myself, especially after building “such a reputation.”

I’m fine with you sharing your OPINION (learn to spell, please, it’s unbecoming of someone trying to be insulting) but hating without constructive criticism is unwelcome and unintelligent. I employ satire, a severe but constructive and often ridiculous criticism, so the rider can at least see why I’m frustrated. But you my friend, and John, have blatant hate for hate sake. It’s called transference. So run along, I’ve got better things to do than deal with your little tantrums.

T.K.O to Lightning Luftie. Huzzah!

In the break between rounds,,,some poetry.
There’s holes in the sky where the rain gets in.
They are ever so small. That’s why rain’s thin.
Thanks to Spike Milligan for that metrological observation.
Seconds out,, Time for round trois.

Nice one Scozzy. I like all the word play here. How about lesbians prefer shaved girlfriends? Dykes shun hairy. That’s bad on so many fronts.

You mean newcasstle? Yeah they’re version 2.0, or like the T1000 Terminators, getting better at what they do, hurling unfounded insults like chain fed machine guns. But everyone knows John Connor always wins in the end.

J.T will have to change his surname to Conner to stand a chance then. Any one seen his bike yet?

I’m here to make an idiot of myself, and enjoy it. There is much I know, but even more I don’t. You can tell the teenagers. They ALWAYS know it all. Ha,ha.And are SO serious. TWATS. X

I don’t miss newcastle. And no I haven’t seen Thompson’s bike, or DeepV’s (who for some reason isn’t impressed with b43s, ironically enough).

eh!!!: atrocious, huh? what’s yours if mine’s so bad?

all you haters say this bike sucks and yet you never say specifically why. so how about you just shut up or present a logical reason why this bike is “horrendous!!! Oh my god my eyes!!! Gabe could build a better one!!!” you know what gabe does? strips the ten speed components, installs a cog and lockring, removes all but the largest chainring, and adds a matching bmx seat, cork tape, and a chain. the only stock things on my bike are the frame,
stem, and seatpost. I did all the labor. And I’ve got a decent variety of parts in a bike that doesn’t say “hey look at this tacky hipster!!” so piss off haters, this is leagues above a Gabe build.

There seems to be those with words aplenty and those who’s bile and frustration rob them of wit and vocabulary. Sometimes this leads us to measure the man, perhaps a little harshly. Where you come from or how much schooling you got shouldn’t stop you reading any thing other than the tabloids. This alone could help enhance the depth of understanding in some of the more direct and reactive contributors on this site. I only completed the basic schooling myself. Have not been to university as it wasn’t something people where I grew up aspired to. I have always read widely.I still don’t consider myself “well read” though. There are many “classics” I have skipped. I prefer humour in what I read and find many humourous authors also have a great skill with words and phrasing. So I know a few words and can handle a spanner. To those detractors out there who turn straight to the sports pages I say “Show me your bikes and be judged as we judge” Don’t take it to heart if you get slated. I don’t. I wish the hate could be better worded though because, as I’ve mentioned above. I love a good read. Luftie; How am I doing on the creative writing stakes?

I wouldn’t one star you. I gave you a ten cos I dig the bike. I’ll give it another if the system allows. It’s tidy.

luftmensh, did you put the crank arm on the outside of the chainring to get a straight chain line, or for the looks?

Luftie; My apologies. It’s 1am here and the old eyes aren’t what they were. I misread you thinking you had misread me. Quell farce! Chainrings are a worry. The 1 I’ve put on the Claude just kept tightening+tightening.There’s about a mm between the teeth and the pedal arm. I thought it was going to foul. Seems not all square tapers are the same. Chain line does seem good though. Will be hacking the canti braze ons off when the sun comes up as I find I have some time on my hands. Just got suspended from work for leaving the van engine running while I delivered to a couple of customers. The battery was flat when I got in to work so I wanted to make sure it had some time to charge up. Fell foul of company policy and the law. Bit of a bummer but I didn’t want to let the customers down. You can’t please everyone. Night guys.

I also prefer Luftie’s Raleigh over the tank. But I’m Old School in more ways than one. The Tank must be Aluminum correct? It has nice looking drop outs..Chrome? Luftie, If you don’t care about some of the negative comments : relax and simply ignore them and keep riding and enjoy yourself. No need to figuratively flip them the bird !

Hey WSB: The Tank is an aluminum frame with a straight steel fork and chrome dropouts. I’d love to get a carbon fork to take out the handlebar buzz but whatever, not a big deal. I haven’t weighed it but it’s quite the effort up or down stairs and from my brothers truck bed. Cheers.

aluminum and steel fork!Luft,that is a perfect combo.I really like this understated presence and wonder what overweight means?that gearing seems easy enough for rec rides.The details are interesting and if some don’t get it-tough.ride the wheels off it.enjoy

Makes more sense than 52/13 and no brakes. Whiskey makes me feel warm and fuzzy too. In fact a cigar make me feel funny and weak in the knees about 7 years ago. Whiskey and a cigar ? I think I’ll sit down for that.

Luftie: the UK gets all black armadillos or the brick colour you’ve got. I was considering some when I got my schwalbes. I really like the combo of the green and brick though, they each compliment the other and it looks cool.
I’m looking for another project, preferably something modern and probably track frame based. Turns out I’m spoiled for choice, so should find something good soon

That’d be cool WSB. Probably won’t be in Chicago until summer of 2012.

26 TPI. and that has a cotterless crank? I hear that’s a hard cup size to work around. I’m too cheap to upgrade and appreciate too much the original cranksets, as long as they’re well built and in good condition. So if the crank and bb are solid I’d just leave em as is. That’s why I’m hesistant to get another Peugeot should I want to upgrade bb or crank, funky threadings and sizes.

I haven’t done much research into Chicago living expenses, though I know it’s expensive. I plan to ride my bike and don’t ever plan on owning a folding. Are the trains that cramped? Sounds horribly claustrophobic. I was wondering whether it’d be worth it to live in the city and be close to school or stay in the suburbs and save a little money, but have to commute who knows how far or for how long. A lot of things to consider. Whether I’ll have my own car is another. I have a pos now but doubt it will make it another two years then over to Illinois.

Cheers.

Dude you have too many Raleighs to keep track of. I guess interchangeabilitity is amazing though. The folder sounds intense. Off peak hours, that sucks!! The Max is crazy bike friendly here. But I spose Chicago is five times as big as Portland. And people are probably less “dude cool bike” as they are here.

I’m just not sure the Raleigh will even fit in my four door non hatchback ’96 hyundai accent. Quite cramped. And seriously, when you’re selling something you are not required to transport. And knowing these craigslist Portlanders it will be in Southeast, which is 90 minutes over the river through used car lots, strip clubs, and pawn shops. They’re just lazy. If they want it they can come and get it.

WSB i’ve dealt w/ that off-peak situation the worst i’ve even had situations when during off peak hrs i’ve been denied access to mass transit. these bigger “bike friendly” cities have some of the most hostile anti cycling policies. i.e. philadelphia recent anti bike legislation and this morning right in nyc police without notice confiscated bikes along the presidential mortorcade route.

Luftie, I looked up Portland on Google and yes Chicago is 5 times bigger but not 5 times nicer. Find peace in Portland , your winters are nothing compared to the Windy City. Confiscated bikes in New York, what is happening here? Makes me wonder where some bikes on Ebay come from. I bought used almost new Vuelta’s and the guy was removed as a seller not sure why. Almost expected an officer of the law to call me and inquire.

Portland is similar to the north of Holland where I was born. Damp weather and cold , not too much snow and only rarely is the ice thick enough on the canals to skate on. What about San Diego >?

“Califoooornniia, beauuuuutiful.” Get the reference? Yeah the quiet suburban streets of West Covina were nice for the first five years of my life but I just think cost of living is too expensive, it’s crowded, traffic and commuting sucks, there’s smog, earthquakes, wildfires, droughts. I’m not seeing a lot of positives here. Los Angeles obviously would be awesome for the wife’s graphic design career but what cali school has a top notch mfa creative writing program? And where would I teach? Chicago and the East Coast honestly have more and better schools. PSU and Marylhurst College are my only options here and I’m not really excited for either. Beaches you can actually swim at, sunshine, and graphic design are the only things drawing me to California. Otherwise it’s “CHI-CA-GO!! You’re outta here.” Get that reference? Same actor. Cheers.

They probably swiped the bikes to make sure none of the tubes were packed with stuff that went bang. I seem to recall that the vietcong used that little party pooper to upset your countrymen.

Crazy, bikes with bombs or Suicide human bombers. May as well clear the people out of the Presidential motorway. Makes no sense. Alan are you still working?

I hope we aren’t getting political here……he he he. Democrates? hmmm.

I’m glad to hear you’re getting paid leave, Alan. It’s sort of nice here,
the typical back and forth Oregon spring, 68 and sunny, 52 and rainy, currently the latter, soon to be the former, drinking negra modelo waiting for enchiladas to bake.

Sloman: North Carolina? Raleigh was a strange airport. Rock Hill, SC was hellaciously humid and I nearly died riding my grandfather’s old 10 speed up some hills. After having been away from Daytona Beach, FL for ten years I can’t stand the stuff. Other than the humidity it was quite nice. 70 and sunny, real estate dirt cheap compared to the NW, people even in the service industry were outspokenly polite (“Did you want that burger all the way?”), and there were a lot of cool cars and people who drove them fast. That’s what I remember.

Dude that’d be nice without humidity. And you don’t catch any hurricanes? Too bad I can’t think of any major cities or colleges in the…is that still the south? Or east coast? I don’t consider myself to have ever lived in the south. Florida doesn’t count.

My eyes!

This is actually pretty cool. I’m just an idiot.

I am not sure how somebody else was able to post under my name. It is very interesting so I have to find out from myfixedgear.net@gmail. Could be a lawsuit in the future, let’s see what happens.

John Thompson
May 21st, 2010 @10:07 pm
This is actually pretty cool. I’m just an idiot.

I did not submit this so let’s see if the lawyers can work this out.

This is one of the worse bikes on this site by far, by far.

HAHAHAHA!!!!! Awesome!! John Thompson!!!!!!!! is gonna take you to court! OMG it gets better every time!

I think Sloman has JT figured out. good call ! maybe his bike is WTF

JT, grow some cojones (or borrow some off your mum), man up, and accept the fact that your username got RAPED!!
You do realise just how easy it would be for just about anyone to use your name? Jeez! You do seem to enjoy picking on the bikes that have had some real spanner time put into them, but I guess it could be your nature. Ho hum…
“Why do we always get the big ass thick mutherfuckers?”
Cheers for making me laugh again.
And once again Luftie, Great build- the effort you put in is obvious

Ich bin John Thompson. Ist dieses ein Witz? Ich bin eine wirkliche Person, aber mein wirklicher Name könnte sloman oder Luftmensh sein, die kennt?

Holy cow, that’s a lot of comments (almost gave up scrolling, ha). Love this build. So legit. Something really special about those taped risers. No nonsense. Well done!

Thanks Mark!! Sloman, don’t get me started.

word. my new plan is to get black drops with black track grips, keep the bar mount brake, get a San Marco Rolls (maybe), black tires, and strip the green paint down to the bare aluminum. This won’t be done for some time—-too much debt, and too little of an income. Wish me luck.

sunny side up. there’s a strip of bacon just beneath the eyeballs. there’s no point in selling a fully built bike, woody. i’ll never get what i’ve put into it. and i bought the wife’s bike for $25 and isn’t worth much more.

Luft…. I really like your bike, I would definately change the saddle, and something sems funny about the angle of your risers. I think its awesome that you have taped risers. I like the pop of color those tires give to the bike. I really do wish more bike companies would sand down thier aluminum welds (like the old Cannondales). Great bike, and I love how different it looks from your other bike, no point in having two similar bikes. 9/10!!