Adventure Girl
12-26-2007, 10:32 AM
About 30 years ago, I lusted after a root beer brown Schwinn Varsity 10-speed bike. I can’t remember why I wanted it, I just know that I like them and never got one.
Well my husband, Robert decided to combine that long-time dream with one of his evil plans. You see, Robert likes to ride with me (sometimes), but he doesn’t like to suffer. So our rides together are usually short rides with not much climbing.
So what was his solution? He conspired with my LBS guy and built me a root beer brown single speed mountain bike! The frame is a Santa Cruz Juliana hard tail. It’s nothing like a Varsity, but it is root beer brown!
I have considered building a single speed for a while, but I was afraid. My friends who ride single speeds tend to be stronger riders – which I’m not. I’ll have to get stronger and I’ll have to improve my ability to maintain momentum.
I took it for my first ride yesterday and it was a blast! It’s so light and flickable. I can just throw it around. Trails with fast “s” shaped turns are sooo much fun! I didn’t take it on any tough climbs. I wanted the first ride to be just for fun!
The bike is really beautiful! It’s so simple and elegant with no shifters or derailleurs or extra cables. I love it! And thanks to SadieKate for letting me use her head badge design. It is the crowning touch to a beautiful bike!
And did I mention that I really love Robert. And not just because he builds bikes for me!
http://www.sighost.com/user/AdventureGirl/00_juliana_drive_side.jpg
http://www.sighost.com/user/AdventureGirl/00_juliana_profile.jpg
http://www.sighost.com/user/AdventureGirl/00_juliana_tensioner.jpg
http://www.sighost.com/user/AdventureGirl/00_juliana_badge.jpg
Well my husband, Robert decided to combine that long-time dream with one of his evil plans. You see, Robert likes to ride with me (sometimes), but he doesn’t like to suffer. So our rides together are usually short rides with not much climbing.
So what was his solution? He conspired with my LBS guy and built me a root beer brown single speed mountain bike! The frame is a Santa Cruz Juliana hard tail. It’s nothing like a Varsity, but it is root beer brown!
I have considered building a single speed for a while, but I was afraid. My friends who ride single speeds tend to be stronger riders – which I’m not. I’ll have to get stronger and I’ll have to improve my ability to maintain momentum.
I took it for my first ride yesterday and it was a blast! It’s so light and flickable. I can just throw it around. Trails with fast “s” shaped turns are sooo much fun! I didn’t take it on any tough climbs. I wanted the first ride to be just for fun!
The bike is really beautiful! It’s so simple and elegant with no shifters or derailleurs or extra cables. I love it! And thanks to SadieKate for letting me use her head badge design. It is the crowning touch to a beautiful bike!
And did I mention that I really love Robert. And not just because he builds bikes for me!
http://www.sighost.com/user/AdventureGirl/00_juliana_drive_side.jpg
http://www.sighost.com/user/AdventureGirl/00_juliana_profile.jpg
http://www.sighost.com/user/AdventureGirl/00_juliana_tensioner.jpg
http://www.sighost.com/user/AdventureGirl/00_juliana_badge.jpg