#1, the Fire Mountain was here: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... 64#1253864
This is #2.
So my golden rules:
1. Choose a bike you want
2. Choose a bike you can afford
3. Choose a size that fits you
4. Don't over-stretch yourself
This one ticked 1, 2 and 4. Like the FM, it's a little too small but no worries. This was a total punt on ebay, a week after I'd purchased the FM. I was the only bidder and had one picture to go on.
It was a pick up only deal and that was from Devon which is tricky when you're in Bromley. Luckily my work has an office in Exeter and some of my team are there, so about a month later I met the seller and parted with £150.
Unlike the FM, this was in dire need of some tlc. It was covered in oil (which turned out to be a blessing) and as you'll see, it hadn't been loved much. It was missing all of it's X1 brake set apart from the levers but those were shot, riddled with rust. The tyres were ridiculous 2.0/5 size and barely cleared the stays. The rear mech was a nasty Atlus 20.
All in all, she looked a sorry state but there was definitely potential.
Before shots in the hotel (anything to get a hold of it!).
The original brakes failed in the first week according the owner and so a weird set were place, I think, from a racing bike. The front were no-named and broken, the rear a Campy pair :?
Check out the ridiculous cable lengths!
This is #2.
So my golden rules:
1. Choose a bike you want
2. Choose a bike you can afford
3. Choose a size that fits you
4. Don't over-stretch yourself
This one ticked 1, 2 and 4. Like the FM, it's a little too small but no worries. This was a total punt on ebay, a week after I'd purchased the FM. I was the only bidder and had one picture to go on.
It was a pick up only deal and that was from Devon which is tricky when you're in Bromley. Luckily my work has an office in Exeter and some of my team are there, so about a month later I met the seller and parted with £150.
Unlike the FM, this was in dire need of some tlc. It was covered in oil (which turned out to be a blessing) and as you'll see, it hadn't been loved much. It was missing all of it's X1 brake set apart from the levers but those were shot, riddled with rust. The tyres were ridiculous 2.0/5 size and barely cleared the stays. The rear mech was a nasty Atlus 20.
All in all, she looked a sorry state but there was definitely potential.
Before shots in the hotel (anything to get a hold of it!).
The original brakes failed in the first week according the owner and so a weird set were place, I think, from a racing bike. The front were no-named and broken, the rear a Campy pair :?
Check out the ridiculous cable lengths!
