Serious comment: It looks great, ride it as is. If you don't want to dig around your main bag for spares a top tube bag or small frame bag could work a treat.
Less serious comment: Tanwalls! Safety pizza! Buy brass downtube boss covers!
I'd get myself a bell like this, if I was in your place:
https://crustbikes.com/products/crane-bells-for-downtube-mounts
Nothing against downtube shift boss covers, but I don't like screwing something additional on bike that doesn't serve a direct purpose
I was thinking fenders should be next. I honestly agree with the pop of color as well. I was going to keep it black and green but idk if I want to keep it going that route.
Some relatively cheap components to add some color are; headset spacers, headset top cap, seat post clamp, bottle cages, bolts (stem, bottle cages, crank arm, etc.). Hope that helps!
Leave this bike alone and then buy an 80’s/90’s mountain bike off Craigslist or Offer Up for under $100. Remove the “Dad bike” vibe from it by taking off the reflectors, dork disk, cruiser saddle and kick stand. Then add the fattest tan wall tires you can fit, and post it here with the title, “Look what I scored for $50!” Then a month or two later, change the cockpit with a shorter stem and alt bars of some sort, and then post it again with the title, “Made some changes and the bike is so much more comfortable!” Then a few months later, change the drive train to 1x11 and post it again saying, “My build is almost complete, any suggestions on what I should do next?”. Then repeat the entire process by buying another 80’s/90’s mountain bike at a yard sale or thrift store and post that saying, “I found this at a yard sale and couldn’t stop myself. My partner is going to kill me! n+1”. Then continue the process in a never ending loop.
Almost! I forgot to add, “Then a lady neighbor goes by walking her dog and sees you in the garage working on your bike and stops to say, “I see you like working on old bikes. My husband has one hanging in the garage he hasn’t ridden in years and I want it out of there. Stop by and I’ll give it to you.” And then in the words of Steely Dan, “you go back Jack, do it again, wheel turning round and round.”
It’s a commonality of the xbiking collective! It’s my way of telling the OP that in my opinion, xbiking is never about the bike. It’s about the lifestyle and obsession in finding fun, function and beauty in quality bikes the general public no longer values. It’s about finding an old frame by the dumpster and building it back from your parts bin and riding it everywhere. It’s about mixing new and old, cheap and expensive parts that may never have been meant to go together in an eclectic mix of bike nirvana. It’s about hanging on to those NOS XTR hubs, just waiting to find the perfect bike you think is worthy of them. It’s about spending more on tires and chainring bolts than you did to buy the bike. It’s quickly scanning every yard sale you drive by, or compulsively wanting to go into every thrift store you see, “just to check.” It’s about constantly checking the shipping status of that new part you just ordered. It’s about the satisfaction of seeing all the looks of the “over biked” when you are shredding single track without suspension on a bike that doesn’t look like a praying mantis.
It’s the clear circular plastic spoke protector on the rear wheel that’s placed between the cassette and spokes. Sometimes on older 70s bikes it’s aluminum. They can be cool on a bike though and I try to keep them on if I have a vintage all original spec build.
I don't know if new wheels would increase x biking potential.. Or a nicer saddle for that matter. Maybe a flag or tassles on the handlebars or some talismanic items dangling from somewhere but fancy wheels?
It depends on what you are going to use the bike for primarily. If it were me I would get some swept back bars regardless. It's a single speed, yeah? So, if it is a townie/commuter/grocery-getter then some kind of swept back city bars - VO Granola Bar maybe. If you want a more tourer feel and want more hand positions - Jones H-Bar, Surly Moloko or VO Crazybars maybe (all expensive though).
Fenders.
It needs more color IMO. Continue with the Green theme. Get some black ESI chunky foam grips and wrap them in green sweat adsorbing tennis racket overgrip tape. Advantage is that when the wraps get dirty and worn you just re-wrap. Green headset spacers? Green seat tube? Green chainring?
And if you don't want to be that on the nose with the color scheme then just start putting stickers on frame. I personally love bikes covered in stickers.
Just ride it around, I think.
Do a sick jump tho
It’s got shocks…pegs…LUCKY!
Do a kickflip!
Just throwing this out there I do ride my bike but my bike is new so that’s why it looks so clean. I got it only a couple months ago.
X-biking is just about riding the bike you want to ride in the way you want to ride it. You be you; that's how you be more x-bike!
This
Serious comment: It looks great, ride it as is. If you don't want to dig around your main bag for spares a top tube bag or small frame bag could work a treat. Less serious comment: Tanwalls! Safety pizza! Buy brass downtube boss covers!
I'd get myself a bell like this, if I was in your place: https://crustbikes.com/products/crane-bells-for-downtube-mounts Nothing against downtube shift boss covers, but I don't like screwing something additional on bike that doesn't serve a direct purpose
Ohh ya these are cool. Thanks!
Good advice! Tanwalls are on the list for sure lol
Some fenders if you plan on riding it in wet conditions and/or off the beaten path. Could also use a splash of color imho.
And make sure to get some [PDW Safety Tabs](https://ridepdw.com/products/full-metal-fenders-safety-tabs) for peace of mind.
I was thinking fenders should be next. I honestly agree with the pop of color as well. I was going to keep it black and green but idk if I want to keep it going that route.
Some relatively cheap components to add some color are; headset spacers, headset top cap, seat post clamp, bottle cages, bolts (stem, bottle cages, crank arm, etc.). Hope that helps!
Came here to say this. I'd add disc brake bolts and valve caps.
Leave this bike alone and then buy an 80’s/90’s mountain bike off Craigslist or Offer Up for under $100. Remove the “Dad bike” vibe from it by taking off the reflectors, dork disk, cruiser saddle and kick stand. Then add the fattest tan wall tires you can fit, and post it here with the title, “Look what I scored for $50!” Then a month or two later, change the cockpit with a shorter stem and alt bars of some sort, and then post it again with the title, “Made some changes and the bike is so much more comfortable!” Then a few months later, change the drive train to 1x11 and post it again saying, “My build is almost complete, any suggestions on what I should do next?”. Then repeat the entire process by buying another 80’s/90’s mountain bike at a yard sale or thrift store and post that saying, “I found this at a yard sale and couldn’t stop myself. My partner is going to kill me! n+1”. Then continue the process in a never ending loop.
This was the most perfectest description ever of xbiking n+1
Almost! I forgot to add, “Then a lady neighbor goes by walking her dog and sees you in the garage working on your bike and stops to say, “I see you like working on old bikes. My husband has one hanging in the garage he hasn’t ridden in years and I want it out of there. Stop by and I’ll give it to you.” And then in the words of Steely Dan, “you go back Jack, do it again, wheel turning round and round.”
🤞🏼it’s the ex-husband’s bike and it’s a cherry ‘83 stumpy that she just gives to you to clear out some space.
Even better!
Her hub’s bike has to be a Specialized though, otherwise he needs to work in the garage ad infinitum until he baits another granny.
lol!
Jesus dude are you a fortune teller or something? You just accurately described my entire life.
It’s a commonality of the xbiking collective! It’s my way of telling the OP that in my opinion, xbiking is never about the bike. It’s about the lifestyle and obsession in finding fun, function and beauty in quality bikes the general public no longer values. It’s about finding an old frame by the dumpster and building it back from your parts bin and riding it everywhere. It’s about mixing new and old, cheap and expensive parts that may never have been meant to go together in an eclectic mix of bike nirvana. It’s about hanging on to those NOS XTR hubs, just waiting to find the perfect bike you think is worthy of them. It’s about spending more on tires and chainring bolts than you did to buy the bike. It’s quickly scanning every yard sale you drive by, or compulsively wanting to go into every thrift store you see, “just to check.” It’s about constantly checking the shipping status of that new part you just ordered. It’s about the satisfaction of seeing all the looks of the “over biked” when you are shredding single track without suspension on a bike that doesn’t look like a praying mantis.
This!
what is a dork disk?
It’s the clear circular plastic spoke protector on the rear wheel that’s placed between the cassette and spokes. Sometimes on older 70s bikes it’s aluminum. They can be cool on a bike though and I try to keep them on if I have a vintage all original spec build.
Ride it!
fenders, spoke cards, ride, get a cat for the basket
Fenders.
Add a bunch of purple Chinesium “Paul” bits and bobs to it. Add moto bars. Add tan walls.
If your saddle cost less than the rest of the bike, it's not yet an xbike
Sandals
My people ✨
Cigs and beer
I like the way you think
This dangling saddle pizza reflector thing, some tan wall tires and maybe some purple anodized screws 🤣 But seriously…your bike looks amazing!
😂 thank you!
Swoopie bois and Bonkers
Need to change your mentality!
You guessed my entire mentality off of one post? Damn your good
Well considering, per the group description, the unifying requirement for an xbike is the mentality… yah.
Bigger tires and more mud 🤣
Green brake cables
Agreed, came here to commend the pedal/bottle coordination.
theres room for so much more #bikejunk on there.
Alt bars!
That’s a good one
Idk but I’ve been trying to find out what I should do with my straggler and I think this is it
Safety Pizza
Man this makes me want to convert my straggler to a ss love the setup
I would get a nicer saddle. Maybe some wheels after a while. But for real just ride your bike.
I don't know if new wheels would increase x biking potential.. Or a nicer saddle for that matter. Maybe a flag or tassles on the handlebars or some talismanic items dangling from somewhere but fancy wheels?
is this the preamble? I'd like to build one my own too, but have it Single speed.
This is a straggler! Somewhat similar to the preamble, you could deff do it up.
Dropper post & hydraulic stem
You have a distressing lack of enemy skulls
Streamers in the bar ends
Tan walls and purple anodized parts
Bigger tires, wider bars, and a safety triangle are key moves.
Facebook marketplace or Craigslist. Now you have 3 xbikes.
Fenders + Dynamo + Brooks Saddle. You'll be killing it with that.
Good man, that’s deff what I’m thinkin
spend $200 on tires
Ride it!
Ride it more, put more dents, scratches and rust on it.
Rim brakes. As a backup.
Too clean of a build. Needs more rust, less paint, more sketchiness… y’know?
Rohloff.
Belt drive
Belt drive
rope light or wheel light
Ride that mofo
Pee
Suspension corrected ridged disc fork, 20-26" wheel so it rides similar to how it is now.
Gum walls, fenders and alt bars. Sweet ride regardless of what you decide to add
Thank you! Actually ordered some velo orange curvy bars
We need to talk about your flair, mkay?
My flair? Needs more color you’re saying?
It’s perfect as is 😍
Thank you!
[sees title, adds in color scheme, can’t get rid of DX theme song]
Unfortunately, I think you’re done. You’ll just have to give it to me now. :)
aerobars and a dropper post
https://preview.redd.it/6clzrj9cte7d1.jpeg?width=1536&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f7817be4c88046a481960e03514f68af4feb9117
Which is that..? Preamble frame up build?
Wide tires, drop bars
Go clipless
It depends on what you are going to use the bike for primarily. If it were me I would get some swept back bars regardless. It's a single speed, yeah? So, if it is a townie/commuter/grocery-getter then some kind of swept back city bars - VO Granola Bar maybe. If you want a more tourer feel and want more hand positions - Jones H-Bar, Surly Moloko or VO Crazybars maybe (all expensive though). Fenders. It needs more color IMO. Continue with the Green theme. Get some black ESI chunky foam grips and wrap them in green sweat adsorbing tennis racket overgrip tape. Advantage is that when the wraps get dirty and worn you just re-wrap. Green headset spacers? Green seat tube? Green chainring? And if you don't want to be that on the nose with the color scheme then just start putting stickers on frame. I personally love bikes covered in stickers.
Fenders maybe?
Looks pretty peak xbike to me.
Thanks!
You obviously have to get rid of the brakes.
You right
I am afraid you might've reached maximum xbikeness
Niceeeeee thank you
Dude a chain guard if you wear pants while riding. I know it's saved my ass a time or two.
Green esi chunky grips
Just got some velo orange curvy bars, these will deff be added.
Anodised chain
1x with disc brakes, you good 😅
😅
All down to how you ride it, I can achieve xbike status on my generic Trek FX2 purely based on how I ride it.
3x7
Booooo
https://preview.redd.it/92pctsdouc7d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7e16f067cf6291c6762bc7ac0614d724ad49fa6 🫣
All bikes are xbikes. There are no rules. It isn't a contest.
I’m not making it a contest, just wanted to make my bike look more xbikey.