Thursday, May 31, 2012

Blue Mach2 with Rack

Okay ... I like how it rides so far.  However, I had no way of carrying anything with me.  So, I added a water bottle holder on the steering tube.  Then I custom made a rack for the back from an oven rack.  And attached a refrigerator basket to it with cable ties.  Also put some clip-on pedals  on it.  I think I may change the front wheel to a 24" one ... which will give my pedals more ground clearance. (meaning I won't occasionally scrub my heels on the ground)

The custom rack made from the oven rack

basket attached to rack with cable ties

side-view of the whole bike

Saturday, May 26, 2012

I finally attached the long cables to the rear and now have dual brakes and a wide range of gears.  I had to re-work the welds on the steering bar.  And I admit that I probably bent the front forks too much ... it sits just a little bit low to the ground ... I know this because my heels occasionally scuff the ground.  It is quiet, rides nice, and I'm just going to be happy with it as it is.  Too many problems to change it now (I'd have to re-work a whole new front fork).  I'll be aware of that on my next bike.  In the meantime, I'm riding this bike almost every day.  I'm willing to take on hills and longer mileage.  The goal this summer is to work up to 30 to 50 miles a day.

UPDATE:  You'll find that I later re-worked the front fork ...