An Ode to the Suburban (and the chance to convince me to buy a new bike) - The Chainlink2024-03-28T11:11:49Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/an-ode-to-the-suburban-and-the-chance-to-convince-me-to-buy-a-new?feed=yes&xn_auth=noI realize I am an exception t…tag:thechainlink.org,2016-04-10:2211490:Comment:9808872016-04-10T20:19:52.368ZJeff Markushttps://thechainlink.org/profile/JeffMarkus
<p>I realize I am an exception to most bike rider rules but here is my bike evolutionary tail...</p>
<p>I am a hoarder and only let an old Huffy mountain bike go after moving into digs that wouldn't fit the whole stable...plus I hadn't ridden it in almost a decade.</p>
<p>The rest of the herd has stabilized since my financial standing has basically fallen into the toilet.</p>
<p>The remaining wheels show the philosophy of if it still works keep doing what it needs to keep working. The Fisher…</p>
<p>I realize I am an exception to most bike rider rules but here is my bike evolutionary tail...</p>
<p>I am a hoarder and only let an old Huffy mountain bike go after moving into digs that wouldn't fit the whole stable...plus I hadn't ridden it in almost a decade.</p>
<p>The rest of the herd has stabilized since my financial standing has basically fallen into the toilet.</p>
<p>The remaining wheels show the philosophy of if it still works keep doing what it needs to keep working. The Fisher Paragon has needed very little since I don't run up the miles on trails as I used to...the old bridle paths I still live near are under water much more since the DesPlaines has been allowed to run higher all year 'round than it used to (in the 60's by april the trails were dusty, now they are mud dern near all year round).</p>
<p>My City Bike (a Utah based company, MadWagon, that offered a limited model list but was available thru SportMart a few years ago) has gotten by with a few lever changes and replacements as needed.</p>
<p>The Prodeco electric assist has also only needed lever and pannier upgrades. </p>
<p>BUT and this is my bragging rights... my brother ran across a Schwinn cro-moly racing frame while helping out a bike shop down in MO that was a 12speed 27" dinosaur and he sold it to me. I turned it into 700C wheels with a Shimano STS integrated shift/brake lever system 7speed rear 2ring front (actaully the front could do triples) That with some innovative stem tweeks was refitted to take the larger dimensions of my frame versus the smaller frame sized of the bike. After I finished the resize and upgrade I took that sweet wacky racer out with impressive results for me as a non-racing pedaller. While this bike has also suffered from neglect do to my inability to keep it handy for use it has always been close to my heart and if I can arrange space at hand it will probably become my commuter rather than the 50plus pound electrtic.</p>
<p>So the crux of the tale is if ya'll like the 'burban and parts are an issue....change it. Find cassettes that will fit to offer replacement ease, reweave the wheels to 700C's if the frame has room or if the 1/4" is not available then go 26". Derailuers might be more of an issue but there are ways including brazeon lugs to mount more modern systems. None of this will compromise the theft safety nor degrade the ride (actually 700C does ride nicer than 27" tho I might be prejudiced).</p>
<p>Wacky rides without going to 2meter tall or 16"front wheels are great ways to get what ya want without having to make it a target for theives and scoundrels.</p>
<p>I believe the beauty of the lowly bicycle is in the ability of the backyard mechanic to mold it to their own needs.</p>
<p>Ride the 'burban by making it your own....</p> At first I didn't like the Sc…tag:thechainlink.org,2016-04-08:2211490:Comment:9801302016-04-08T00:20:39.222ZNancy L. Faginhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/NancyLFagin317
<p>At first I didn't like the Schwinn Traveler (ca.1989), I thought it was like riding a stiff camel, but it is a real work horse pulling a trailer. Recently broke the derailleur (think it was the original) got a new-used one on ebay and local mechanic was happy to replace it; no comments about buying a new bike.</p>
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<p>I do have a Sunday bike and I won't attach the trailer to it.</p>
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<p>Nancy </p>
<p>At first I didn't like the Schwinn Traveler (ca.1989), I thought it was like riding a stiff camel, but it is a real work horse pulling a trailer. Recently broke the derailleur (think it was the original) got a new-used one on ebay and local mechanic was happy to replace it; no comments about buying a new bike.</p>
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<p>I do have a Sunday bike and I won't attach the trailer to it.</p>
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<p>Nancy </p> Here is a human enjoying thei…tag:thechainlink.org,2016-04-03:2211490:Comment:9795142016-04-03T04:09:43.704Zbk (aka: Dr. Mambohead)https://thechainlink.org/profile/bkookmukakaMCBikesalot
Here is a human enjoying their bike! Also? They are reducing. Re-using. Recycling? Also the absence of any covetousness is just Suspicious!<br/>
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Outrageous!!!<br/>
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Count on the chainlink to word avalanche in bold for days about just how wrong is frugality.
Here is a human enjoying their bike! Also? They are reducing. Re-using. Recycling? Also the absence of any covetousness is just Suspicious!<br/>
<br/>
Outrageous!!!<br/>
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Count on the chainlink to word avalanche in bold for days about just how wrong is frugality. So, it's two years later. My…tag:thechainlink.org,2016-04-03:2211490:Comment:9793532016-04-03T02:17:19.680ZTim Heckmanhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/TimHeckman
So, it's two years later. My Cross Check has close to 6000 miles on it. My well maintained Suburban was stolen last October at a train station, when I locked it poorly. I have another Suburban, which was actually gifted to me by folks that knew I would appreciate it.<br />
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I've added a dynamo hub to the Cross Check, and ride it everywhere. I only ride my Suburban if the other is being serviced. I might have to admit that Notorious DUG was correct...
So, it's two years later. My Cross Check has close to 6000 miles on it. My well maintained Suburban was stolen last October at a train station, when I locked it poorly. I have another Suburban, which was actually gifted to me by folks that knew I would appreciate it.<br />
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I've added a dynamo hub to the Cross Check, and ride it everywhere. I only ride my Suburban if the other is being serviced. I might have to admit that Notorious DUG was correct... I'd done a ten mile ride the…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-04-08:2211490:Comment:8105292014-04-08T16:50:26.455ZTim Heckmanhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/TimHeckman
<p>I'd done a ten mile ride the day I picked up, so it wasn't a pure first ride.</p>
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<p> So far, I am happy with both the similarities and the differences. Steel frame and 38 mm tires, and it is a little smoother of a ride than I was on previously. It handled the stretch of slightly moist crushed limestone south of 135th Street just fine. It's a faster bike, but I'm not necessarily a faster cyclist. There's two hills in Hodgkins on East Ave and 75th Street that are much easier to…</p>
<p>I'd done a ten mile ride the day I picked up, so it wasn't a pure first ride.</p>
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<p> So far, I am happy with both the similarities and the differences. Steel frame and 38 mm tires, and it is a little smoother of a ride than I was on previously. It handled the stretch of slightly moist crushed limestone south of 135th Street just fine. It's a faster bike, but I'm not necessarily a faster cyclist. There's two hills in Hodgkins on East Ave and 75th Street that are much easier to climb. Certainly less work overall, as that distance was about my outer limit on the Suburban, and still certainly could have done more. It's also a larger frame than I was used to. The Suburban was 22", and this is 58 cm.</p>
<p>In some senses, it is an incremental improvement (although a pretty large increment). Oh, and the cable lock? I know-- but I wasn't planning on stopping beyond running into a convenience store in the outer suburbs, and my brand new New York style Kryptonite U-Lock is kind of heavy...</p> Looks nice, Tim! What do you…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-04-08:2211490:Comment:8105832014-04-08T16:02:09.658ZGeckohttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Gecko
<p>Looks nice, Tim! What do you think of it so far in comparison to your Suburban? That's a nice long first ride :)</p>
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<p>Also - a cable lock? Eek, I would definitely use at least a u-lock on a brand new bike!</p>
<p>Looks nice, Tim! What do you think of it so far in comparison to your Suburban? That's a nice long first ride :)</p>
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<p>Also - a cable lock? Eek, I would definitely use at least a u-lock on a brand new bike!</p> Are you trying to tell us tha…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-04-08:2211490:Comment:8103682014-04-08T14:43:26.951ZNançoishttps://thechainlink.org/profile/NancyEaston
<p>Are you trying to tell us that the new bike turned your whole world upside down? Groovy.</p>
<p>Are you trying to tell us that the new bike turned your whole world upside down? Groovy.</p> I left Oak Park at about 8 am…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-04-08:2211490:Comment:8102642014-04-08T03:42:23.653ZTim Heckmanhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/TimHeckman
I left Oak Park at about 8 am on Sunday. This picture was taken in Lockport at 11.
I left Oak Park at about 8 am on Sunday. This picture was taken in Lockport at 11. So, how did it go? Pictures?…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-04-07:2211490:Comment:8103462014-04-07T22:04:48.379ZOLB 0.1https://thechainlink.org/profile/OLB
<p>So, how did it go? Pictures?<br/> <br/> <cite>Tim Heckman said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/an-ode-to-the-suburban-and-the-chance-to-convince-me-to-buy-a-new?xg_source=activity&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A802366&page=4#2211490Comment806820"><div><div class="xg_user_generated">I picked the black. I'm really not a fan of that green. Now just waiting in gleeful anticipation, and planning an epic break-in ride for next weekend.</div>
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<p>So, how did it go? Pictures?<br/> <br/> <cite>Tim Heckman said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/an-ode-to-the-suburban-and-the-chance-to-convince-me-to-buy-a-new?xg_source=activity&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A802366&page=4#2211490Comment806820"><div><div class="xg_user_generated">I picked the black. I'm really not a fan of that green. Now just waiting in gleeful anticipation, and planning an epic break-in ride for next weekend.</div>
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</blockquote> Tim Heckman said:
<delet…tag:thechainlink.org,2014-03-31:2211490:Comment:8070222014-03-31T03:58:31.697ZMike Schwabhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/MikeSchwab80
<p><br></br> <br></br> <cite>Tim Heckman said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/an-ode-to-the-suburban-and-the-chance-to-convince-me-to-buy-a-new?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A802366&page=1#2211490Comment802688"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><div class="xg_user_generated"><deleted></div>
<div class="xg_user_generated"><p><strong><u>True, but not the whole story. My Suburbans enjoy regular preventative maintenance, and I know the difference between 'riding as…</u></strong></p>
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<p><br/> <br/> <cite>Tim Heckman said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/an-ode-to-the-suburban-and-the-chance-to-convince-me-to-buy-a-new?id=2211490%3ATopic%3A802366&page=1#2211490Comment802688"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><div class="xg_user_generated"><deleted></div>
<div class="xg_user_generated"><p><strong><u>True, but not the whole story. My Suburbans enjoy regular preventative maintenance, and I know the difference between 'riding as designed' and 'riding like horse poop'. In 8000 miles, I've replaced two sets of tires, one set of wheels, two axles, two cassettes, the original pedals, and two chains. I'm still due to replace one crankset. Outside of possibly the axles, that sounds to me like normal wear and tear for any bicycle that has that amount of miles.</u></strong></p>
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<div class="xg_user_generated">2 sets of tires: Varies widely based on tire. When the rear gets close, you can swap the label side to wear the other side of the center. When both sides are worn, discard the rear, put the front on the rear, and a new tire on the front.</div>
<div class="xg_user_generated">2 chains: a little low on mileage. 2 cassettes: you definitely are not lubing and checking for "stretch". Suggestion: Clean and rust proof frequently with WD-40 spray. Avoid spraying into the inner links so dirt and WD-40 is not carried into the inside lube. Don't lube. Check 12 links being 12 inches, 12 1/16 time to change chains, you might 2-4 chains per cassette.<br/>2 axles: shouldn't occur with free hub and cassette. Frequently occurs with freewheels (up to 6 speed freewheel and some 7 speed). Consider switching to free hub and cassette (some 7 speed and all 8 speed cassette and up). Sticking with 27 in is certainly possible, probably will need to cold set the frame to a wider width between the rear dropouts. Also possible to switch from 27 in wheels (630mm rims) to 700C wheels (622mm rims) with long reach brakes, but is a bit more expensive.</div>
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