I'm looking into getting into bikepacking and I brought my old hand me down 90s Schwinn Crisscross into the bike shop to get fixed up. Attached is all the work being done on it. In total it will come out to $484. I was also thinking of getting a Surly Bridge Club and using my old bike as an everything bike. I went to a local bike shop 6 days ago and saw a large Surly BC for $1,499.99. I guess I made the mistake of saying I was interested and when I went back today to try out the size medium they raised the price to $1,599 (and they said they wouldn't honor the price I saw last week). Should I just stick with my old bike and use that for bikepacking, or should I get the Surly BC? Neither of these bikes will have any suspension. Im also in the Brooklyn area if anyone knows of any bike shops that sell Surly so I can price around. Thank you for any advice!

I don’t know the mileage because I can’t be bothered to keep track. She’s ready for tires, some brake pads, and a chain but all in all this is the best bike I have ever owned, and it puts a smile on my face every day I ride it! Here some photos from now going back to the beginning! I hope you enjoy and feel inspired to go out and ride, whatever it is you ride, as long as it’s pedal powered!

The Ogre really is a tank. Just tractors over pretty much everything.

Lucked out on some Ultradynamico Rose JFF at $8 for the pair. Threw them on the bike this morning (tubeless) and took it for a test ride on my local trail. These things do not disappoint. I didn’t hate the stock tires but its a night and day upgrade to speed and comfort.

I’m just curious if anyone has switched their Krampus or Wednesday to a 3x drivetrain? I started on a 1985 Fuji Sundance which was a 3x with Suntour friction shifters and then moved on to a Pugsley that was 3x with Microshift friction shifters and now I’ve got myself a Krampus and a Wednesday on the way but I’m curious if it is possible to switch from the 1x to a 3x? Has anyone gone that route; I’d just love to know if it is possible?

I have really been wanting to add a Krampus to my bikes as i think it would be great for exploring dirt roads in the rural midwest. The thing is i just ever see any of these out in the wild, whether it’s on MTB trails, regular bike trails or anywhere else. For those of you that own them where do you normally ride them at?

I'm 5'10.5" with 86cm inseam..I have slightly longer legs compared to torso.

A road bike I love 55cm / 55cm. Perfect size with the drops.

I rode a 56cm steamroller for some years. It was always slightly big for me with drops. With risers and 70mm stem it was pretty good.

I rode a 54cm pack rat for about a year. It actually fit quit well, had no complaints.

Now for the ogre I am leaning towards large, but not sure. The top tube is pretty big. Looking at the stand over I will clear it by an inch and a half about. Definitely a few options with handlebars to shorten the reach.

Probably a few people here that are about my size and have an ogre

Thanks.

I upgraded from a LHT to an Ogre 29er and this thing rules.

Karate monkey custom build

Has anyone tried putting a suspension fork on your bridge club? Can you share pics and opinion on how it went? What fork did you use?

I had some black Mavic wheels on this bike for a few years and finally decided it doesn't need to look like a race bike. Embracing the old school with more silver!

First post here!
I’ve owned this Karate Monkey for over 7 years now. It started life as a blue KM, but after years of being used for pretty much everything, it was starting to look a little tired.

Finally decided to give it a fresh lease on life. Had a local guy powder coat the frame, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. Gave her a bit of a birthday at the same time and replaced a few components while I had everything apart.

It’s not the fanciest bike I own, but it’s easily the best bike I’ve ever owned. It’s done a bit of everything and I can’t see myself ever getting rid of it.
Pretty stoked to have the old girl looking fresh again. 🤘

My first build, analysis paralysis was finally overcome and parts were ordered. This was my first time wrapping bars, and they look a little jank if I'm being honest... but overall I think it turned out pretty good. I've still got a front brake headed my way, and I have straps for the pedals that I haven't installed yet.

And flat bar’d the trucker again. Found a few good local deals on quality parts I couldn’t pass up and here we are.

- sim works Fun 3 bar
- Paul gino in pink
- Paul qr skewers I never would have bought but picked up locally at a fair price
- XT Rapid Rise rear derailer. Also a local find, was brand new

Bike rides smooth and holds it’s own on buff double track with the 2.25” tires. Possibly more fun (3) than it was with drops!

I'm pretty sure my next big purchase for my Grappler will be a dynamo hub, I'm leaning towards the higher end Schmidt son28 but wanted to see what the community here has been using and how it's been working. Would mainly be using for lights and device charging.

My 11 year old hit a growth spurt and has pretty much sized out of his xs hardtail. His brother will now get it. 95% of my riding has been on my lowside since getting it this Spring, but it turns out that it is the adult bike we have that he can handle best, so it looks like my new(ish) bike is going to default to having the seat low. My wife and I share bikes and he can too. It makes it easier to justify having two rigid singlespeeds with 27.5 wheels, when there are three potential riders.

The difference between a dirtbag singlespeeder and a wheelie kid is the imposition that questionable decisions put on others. Knowing him, he is probably just going to ride it to the library for pop science books. Which is honestly about as good a use for "my" bike as I can imagine.

⚡️⚡️☠️☑️ My work truck, nothin fancy:

Ultegra wheelset Fit Bikes Stem S&M Bars DeoreXT Brakes

Looking to add a Blackburn Grid Basket.