I wanted to say hi to the forum. We arrived in Edinburgh in August and are all enjoying the city. My 8yo son and I now do the school commute by bike, and I ride mostly around the city these days (sometimes along the John Muir Path). My project is converting an older MTB for streamlines urban use, so I may have some questions for those of you more experienced in that area. (Existential question: is it possible to build up a really good all-around commuting/touring bike based on an old CrMo MTB frame?)
I used to mainly ride road-style, and I'd like to join for a ride sometime.
Also, I found a pair of in-ear headphones, likely dropped by another cyclist on Carrington Road along Fettes College--posted a found ad on Gumtree, but let me know if you lost these.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh
Saying hello
(10 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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Hello Mfcity - welcome to CityCyclingEdin.
Hope your stay here is a good one.
I'm not much help in your quest as I tend to buy really nice bikes then spend years desperately trying to not grind them into the dust from whence they came, rather than taking old ones and building them up.What level of riding are you looking to join?
Posted 9 years ago # -
Welcome first time poster.
"is it possible to build up a really good all-around commuting/touring bike based on an old CrMo MTB frame?"
This might help -
Posted 9 years ago # -
Or, if you are time-poor, go along to The Bike Station, they recondition 'older' hand me down bikes and sell tehm on - you may find something there which is 3/4 way to your goal and not very expensive.
Regardless, its worth popping in to have a root around - they have frames as well.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Hello Mfcity. Sounds like you will fit right in here. Asking technical and existential questions hits just the right CCE tone. And you cycle with kids. Puts you one-up on me.
Existential answer to your question: the right kind of bike for any purpose is influenced by what you are used to. For example I would find 28mm tyres balloon-like and weird where someone else might find them harsh compared to their 32mm ones.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Welcome!
For the MTB, how old is old? If it's vintage enough to have non-standard sizing, then you might have some headaches big enough to make buying a new frame a cheaper option.
From my experience of a Cannondale MTB I inherited(frame 1989, most moving parts from 1995-9), the offroad gnarly people have gone through many more weird and wonderful technologies than roadies, let alone the infamously conservative tourers. Even so, the basics of BB shell, OLD, brake mounts and headset size haven't been fiddled with so I expect it to be pretty straightforward to throw on new kit.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Thanks for all the replies, everyone! I've already been looking around the forum, and it looks really useful and friendly.
>What level of riding are you looking to join?
My long-distance road abilities are probably rusty, but most of a morning or an afternoon would be great. I'm more into distance and discovery than sheer speed and carbon fibre.>go along to The Bike Station, they recondition 'older' hand me down bikes and sell tehm on
I can easily spend way too much time just pawing through the parts drawers there.Thanks for making a newcomer feel welcome. I should have some necessary rim tape arrive soon and try installing Schwalbe balloon tyres on my project bike, after reading enthusiastic reviews. It is aluminium, but I hope all that air will improve the ride on our many cobbled streets.
Posted 9 years ago # -
"looks really useful and friendly"
'We' like to think so, and it's good to be reminded occasionally.
There have been 'rows' in the past (notably about what people *should* wear on their heads - ultimate agreement on "personal choice").
Almost all people on here like riding bikes (quite a few like bikes too!)
I think everyone wants to see more people riding bikes.
Be warned though, if you start liking long distance riding, you might find yourself joining the growing number of CCE Audaxers. (Some are extremists!)
Posted 9 years ago # -
Drifting into Audax rides might not be a bad thing:) Are there any plans for the week starting 6th of February?
Posted 9 years ago #
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