OK, I want to talk about my NEW BIKE!!!

[sandra]

I'm so excited I can hardly sleep at night. I'm thinking of changing my handlebars and seat and all of the things I'm going to do.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You could fix it up just like DivingBiker's beautiful Rivendell Glorius:
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list...product=16-103
Albatross bars, Brooks saddle, cork tape and cork handgrips....but a basket in front.
How about a banana saddlebag in back for your tools and other junk?:
http://www.duluthpack.com/product_de...a%20Bike%20Bag
Here's how it looks on a bike:
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...7_1967_7983550

[uforgot]

You could fix it up just like DivingBiker's beautiful Rivendell Glorius:
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list...product=16-103
Albatross bars, Brooks saddle, cork tape and cork handgrips....but a basket in front.
How about a banana saddlebag in back for your tools and other junk?:
http://www.duluthpack.com/product_de...7;20Bike%20Bag
Here's how it looks on a bike:
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...7_1967_7983550

Too late Lisa, she saw the Glorius last night. Thought the honey brooks and leather grips would look good on her red one, too and I have to agree.

One thing I learned about the back, I had those wire baskets on the back of my Bianchi, and I really didn't care for them. It was better when I got a Timbuk2 tote and it fit the basket perfectly. Otherwise the baskets were heavy and stuff just fell out of them. I like the wicker basket idea in front though. I have wanted one of those banana bags FOREVER. Those look great. If you wanted more carrying space, you could use the Little Joe or Carradice Barley. I have the Barley and Lisa has a pic of the little Joe somewhere, because I asked her about it on a thread. It would look great on the red mixte also. Maybe I can find the pic.

ramble,ramble ramble and I seem to be talking in circles...you have to excuse me. I am spending hours and hours on curriculum and taking a break to check the forums. It's so great to talk about bikes instead of functions and derivatives!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

ramble,ramble ramble and I seem to be talking in circles...you have to excuse me. I am spending hours and hours on curriculum and taking a break to check the forums. It's so great to talk about bikes instead of functions and derivatives!

Well hey....I could talk about Little Joes, Barleys, Banana bags, cork tape, Brooks saddles, cork grips, twined bars, touring stuff......like forever!

[Tuckervill]

I really don't think it is too big either. I think it will be fine. And for what I want to use it for, short rides around the neighborhood, it doesn't have to be a perfect fit....


DOES IT?

It will be fine. The standover is a non-issue. Sometimes people who sell bikes don't know much about them, or they use a standard description and didn't take out the standover thing.

I haven't read the whole thread, but the Classic & Vintage folks at bikeforums.net will have lots of input.

I love steel.

Karen

[sandra]

Should I confess my high hopes for this bike? I ordered the honey Brooks and cork grips today.

The only thing keeping me from ordering Albatross bars and a stem is that I don't have any idea what size to order!

Can't wait to do before and after pics.

[sandra]

My DH needs a saddle, so if I decide not to use it, he can always use it on his bike.

I just realized that fixing up this bike may be like fixing up a house. One thing calls for ten more. Honey saddle, cork grips, and the brake cables are black!

[uforgot]

My DH needs a saddle, so if I decide not to use it, he can always use it on his bike.

I just realized that fixing up this bike may be like fixing up a house. One thing calls for ten more. Honey saddle, cork grips, and the brake cables are black!

And you got a great price on the saddle! Are you going to make these changes yourself? I also changed my cables on my first mixte. The others were pretty shot anyway. It's pretty easy, and fairly inexpensive. The whole process is really a great learning experience! You may want to wait on those handlbars. To my surprise, I found that I didn't want to sit too upright, and there are a zillion kinds of handlebars to choose from! Has the seller said when it would ship?

[sandra]

Yes, it was a great price. Thanks to you for pointing it out. I'm not going to buy anything more until I get the bike and check it out. If worst comes to worst, the only think I might be out is the cork grips. I bet someone here could use them.

I'd love to try to do it myself. Maybe YOU can talk me through it.

I bought it Friday morning. The guy said it would ship by Monday. Of course it does have to come all the was across the US. It could be early the next week before I get it. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is this week.

What other recommendations do you have for handlebars?

[uforgot]

When I was looking around I found there were handlebars that came all the way to your sides and every variation in between. I have an lbs in Jefferson City that has a lot of retro bike stuff and I just went in and looked and compared to ones they had on their bikes. The ones on my Bianchi came out of a used bin. $5. Could be something to do while you wait! Check out the different bars people have. On this mixte, I'm keeping the drops. I find them the most comfortable now.

To walk you through everything, I find that DebW is invaluable. You just have to post on the bike maintenance forum. I also purchased bicycling magazine's book Bicycle Maintenance and Repair by Todd Downs . The Blue Book (by Park Tool) is suppose to be good also. Both available at Amazon and you can look at reviews. You don't want ME talking you through it. I know just enough to be dangerous now.

(But I can internet shop with the best of them!)

[uforgot]

I'm thinking this would look pretty sweet on your bike. Has the honey leather of your saddle and the black like your black accents. This guy makes his own bags, and he posts them usually on Wed and Sun nights. Always has the same four kinds. There is one like the banana bag, only it's slightly larger. You can look at his completed auctions to see what he makes.

Saddle bag

[sandra]

Guess what! I already bought that book back when someone recommended it.

Our town is not so small, but I guess it is not a "biking town". We are a redneck, guns, trucks and hunting town. Need a new deer rifle? We have a huge selection in this town.

We have two small LBS....one with all things Trek and the other with all things Giant. They don't have a lot of selection. I'm sure my best bet is internet.

[sandra]

I'm thinking this would look pretty sweet on your bike. Has the honey leather of your saddle and the black like your black accents. This guy makes his own bags, and he posts them usually on Wed and Sun nights. Always has the same four kinds. There is one like the banana bag, only it's slightly larger. You can look at his completed auctions to see what he makes.

Saddle bag

Girl, you are killing me .... in a good way.

[uforgot]

Redneck town? Beat THIS! We have a "drive your tractor to school" day.

Oh, here is the other bag. This one is my favorite. You can choose which color.

Med Saddle Bag
http://cgi.ebay.com/ACORN-MED-SADDLE...QQcmdZViewItem

[sandra]

"drive your tractor to school day" sure beats our "drive through funeral home". It's gone now, thank goodness. In the days of old you could drive through to view the body. I kid you not.