Coaster Brake Challenge series #2

[rev106]

http://www.atomiccycles.com/coaster.html

[rev106]

Some pics from last set:

[MTBMaven]

After my nice fixie got stolen in Pasadena I've been looking for a <$100 cruiser for utility trips to TJ's, the Pasadena Farmers Markets, etc. If I get one in time for one of these events this sounds like fun.

I saw a beautiful rusted old cruiser outside of Joe's today with rusted fender to boot! Kind of strange wanting the ugliest bike in the rack.

[scruffylooking]

This event sounds stupid, irresponsible, and dangerous.

In other words, totally awesome.

Wish it were closer!

[scruffylooking]

Double post, sorry.

[rev106]

It was totally awesome! Here's the Bike magazine write up from the last one:

[rev106]

Some pics from the last set of races:










More info at: www.atomiccycles.com

[KonaDawgDeluxe]

This is sooooo cool! Anyone have a coaster brake/SS bike you want to sell me? If not I still have time to scrounge up parts and build me one.

[strobelite]

there i am, right to the left and behund the leader!

the third one down with the whole pack. wearing a bowling ball helmet.



thats the one!

[DISCO]

Rad, I've got some wheels if anyone wants to throw our parts together for an STR entry. Come to think of It I have a compete beater, Gene thrown in that Judy, lets find some rubber and win this. Maven, you may wind up the pilot.....

[strobelite]

its not easy, i threw up!

[rev106]

its not easy, i threw up!

That' cause you got fat and smoke now...time to get in shape!!!

I'm building a small fleet of loaner bikes, I should have 3 or 4 up for grabs....

[strobelite]

as soon as my back is better........ this sucks!

[rev106]

as soon as my back is better........ this sucks!

You've got about a month to heal up..to throw up.

[rev106]

Devon, I have the Schwinn "High Timber" at the ready for you. One steel rim and one alloy wheel. The gearing is 32/16..I think the only money I put into it was two new innertubes.

[rev106]

[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Purpose: [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]To have fun, to race, to sweat, breathe hard, to ride hard, to challenge ones self.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]We will be hosting 4 Sunday races in the month of July. Each race will have a meet point at 5pm and race at 5:30/6:00 pm. Most races will be short 1 to 2 hour affairs. Meet points and descriptions of each race will be posted so you know what to expect. [/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Rules for bikes:[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Gearing: [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Single speed only. No internal geared hubs (sturmey-archer, bendix two speed kick backs etc.) no derailleur of any kind (A chain tensioner is fine). No external gearing. No gears. No fixed gear. Each race will usually require a different gear ratio and you can have any gear ratio you wish. We have found that 30-36 in the front and 18-22 in the back is the range best suited for this event, see what works best for you.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Drive system:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]The rear hub must be a coaster brake. Single speed coaster brake only. No two-speed kick backs, etc (I know what they look like) Some coaster brakes are better than others, do your homework and get a good one. See below for more info. Cranks of any kind may be used as well as pedals. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Braking system:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Coaster brake only on the rear wheel only. No hand brakes of any kind. No secondary braking system of any kind. No drum brakes, no cables, rods, levers, etc of any kind. You pedal forward to go forward and back to stop. Nothing else. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Frame:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Preference for old double bar cruisers but there are no frame restrictions. We have found that cruiser frames and lower end frames with a horizontal dropouts work the best. Frames with a rigid dropout are difficult to get proper chain tension. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Forks:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Any. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Wheels/tires:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]You can have any kind of hoop/tire combo. I suggest a light wheelset that you've laced a coaster brake into. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Handlebars etc.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Everything else is left up to the individual rider. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium][SIZE=6]Here are some examples of bikes that would work great for this event:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=5]This is a custom job. A bit over the top unless you want to go that way but you can build a purpose built bike like this one or take something else and make it work. The gearing on this bike is 34/19 for now. I'm going to test it out and see if I need to change things. The bike has performed well, the rider, not so well.[/SIZE]






[SIZE=4]Here's my old trusty 1964 Schwinn. It normally has V brakes and a freehub single speed set up but for this race I laced up some old Arayas ala bmx with a Bendix red band. The gearing is 36/20 and I've been able to climb up some pretty steep hills this bad boy. Once you learn some control with the break, you'll seldom skid. You just have to descend slower than you would on a regular bike. I've had this bike for years and beaten the hell out of it, old Schwinns make Ideal platforms for this kind of event. Note the "1 1/8 threadless fork in the frame made for "1 threaded. The bottom bracket clearance is a little low, it's something to look for. Most of the races are on fire roads so low bb clearance is not a big deal.[/SIZE]

[strobelite]

Devon, I have the Schwinn "High Timber" at the ready for you. One steel rim and one alloy wheel. The gearing is 32/16..I think the only money I put into it was two new innertubes.

its devIn you asshat! did you sign me up ad #5 again?

can i use my clipless? if not, i want the orange one again.

[strobelite]

Anyone Else Getting In On This???? You Dont Even Need A Bike! Paul Has Built Loaners! We Need Str!

[rev106]

its devIn you asshat! did you sign me up ad #5 again?

can i use my clipless? if not, i want the orange one again.

Devin? Is that french for I'm gonna throw up on my spd shoes?

Yeah man you're all set, 3 piece crank and all. You can clip in.

[strobelite]

no, its english for stfu!!!!!!