Bikes 2017 and a build log for my Quadangle.

[AlienALX]

OK so you guys have waited long enough, sorry about that. The sun is hiding again and it's peeing with rain. We had one day of sunshine this week and typically it was "go see mum" day.





The bike is ready though. I aired up the tyres to 50 PSI yesterday when the pump came and dialled the brakes in a bit more (the back one). So she's ready to go now..

As for it being my "cheap" bike? um yeah, it was anything but. I figured it all out last night and got a big shock.

Oh yeah, I got the lock too. So as soon as it's sunny I'll be getting out there

 

[SPS]

Looks great. Looks like a factory spec

 

[AlienALX]

Thanks man Shouldn't be long before I get it out there. Raining again today

 

[Greenback]

you should move down my way it's been sunny last 2 days and only overcast today

 

[sheroo]

Looks fab, giz a go mate???

 

[AlienALX]

Looks fab, giz a go mate???

no way

The camera is charged so hopefully tomorrow..

 

[AlienALX]

I did it. I actually conquered my fear and went out for a ride ! I clocked in about 8 miles. Got back I was drenched in sweat, heart was pounding legs and ass are killing me. Beautiful day though, perfect for a ride.













ET PHONE HOME





Bognor Pier.







Now here's an unusual sight. Blue sky in the UK with no rain clouds at all.









Keepin' it rad.





Time to ride home.



Now if you don't mind I think I will go sit in the corner and cry haha. I'm going to pay for this tomorrow !

 

[Greenback]

Gratz, All those beach shots makes me miss my boarding school days in seaford

 

[AlienALX]

Gratz, All those beach shots makes me miss my boarding school days in seaford

I totally can't wait for it to get to the point where I can ride, say "Ah borrocks" and just jump in.

Just walked round the post office (which was shut, FFS) and my legs are paying me back

A sea mist is just rolling in and it's freezing haha. I definitely lucked out on the weather

 

[sheroo]

Fantastic pictures. I love it when a plan comes together.

You've got it, just in time for all the good weather as well.

 

[AlienALX]

Fantastic pictures. I love it when a plan comes together.

You've got it, just in time for all the good weather as well.

Yup. /Goonies.. It all starts here....

I'm definitely stopping for coffee tomorrow. Went past about five lovely little cafes. Unfortunately the prospect of leaving the house made me rush and panic and I forgot to take my Ecig, cash, etc. What a plonker. Forgot to take the lock too, so I was proper paranoid about getting off the bike hahaha.

Brixton born and raised... My mother moved down here about eight years ago and she still goes around locking all of the doors and windows before bed. Like literally locking the windows so they can not be opened. Poor woman.

 

[SPS]

Jealous of those photos! Been couped up in an office while it's been lovely all day.

 

[AlienALX]

Not updated in a while. I've been out on the bike a few times now but my pockets are usually restricted and my phone is large (5.5 inch) so I've not been taking pics.

Decided to ride about four miles. I would normally ride twice that but it was just too hot. Got off the road and headed to the beach path.



Couple of miles later and I found this lovely little oasis.





Hazelnut coffee. Was really good as it goes.



Quite a view.





Every time I ride this bike I fall in love with it a bit more. It's light, geared perfectly and probably the stiffest BMX I've ever ridden. It's incredibly responsive.





Decided to ride back pretty much standing the whole way. Regret it now. Hot coffee + hot sun + jogging bottoms and 2 miles does not = good haha.

 

[Tolemac]

OMG not your new jogging bottoms "I hope you didn't get them dirty looking at large Marge eating her Fatburger and fries with a double chocolate milkshake with a couple of scoops of whipped double cream on top"

 

[Greenback]

Having a nice beach like that is one thing I miss from my school days in seaford

 

[AlienALX]

OMG not your new jogging bottoms "I hope you didn't get them dirty looking at large Marge eating her Fatburger and fries with a double chocolate milkshake with a couple of scoops of whipped double cream on top"

Nah DPD sent me an email saying my Nike order was delayed ffs.

 

[AlienALX]

Having a nice beach like that is one thing I miss from my school days in seaford

It's what we pay for in the winter. Honestly man living on the beach looks great and you see all sorts of ghey pics on Facebook from women dreaming that they lived on a beach.. Come October we have to literally baton down the hatches. We have old sash windows and the wind literally howls like something out of a horror movie. Our windows rattle and bang and the curtains literally blow around, even with the windows closed.

And if it rains with all of that going on? soaked in seconds.

Any way guys going back to the bikes. I've really fallen in love with my Quadangle (the yellow one). I've had it out loads now and I love riding it. Half killed me today because it's really humid so I was knackered after about two miles, but yeah loving riding so much.

I don't know if you guys remember this.



Well that was the 40th Anni PK Ripper Mike Buff bike I got as an insurance replacement/Christmas present. It was to replace this, which got stolen.



Any way I started building it around Christmas time but I got side tracked building the Quadangle. The PK cost a grand (£800 bike, carbon fibre seat post, new seat, better brakes, new brake cables etc etc) and it never got finished. It's all there but nothing has been dialled.

So I recalled riding my Ripper (the green/blue/orange thing) and I hated the wheels. I love Tuff Wheels but they ride like , especially in the wind.

So I am going to change them out for these. (got)





I also wanted to replace some of the red with the awesome baby blue colour so I ordered a pair of these



2.3 front 2.2 rear. Wheels came and there is no rim tape (w*****s) So I ordered this as it needs to take the pressure.



They should be here soon Really looking forward to riding it now. It's all alu so weighs bugger all !

 

[AlienALX]

Photobucket sucks balls. Any way, bike update ! I've taken the yellow Quadangle out a few times now. I love it so much, such fun to ride. However, I've noticed that I can go for a couple of weeks with a bad back/aching joints. This kinda sucks for riding a 20" bike.

Any way let me remind you all of where I was.

Yellow Quadangle (90s frame version)

And my beloved PK Ripper Mike Buff.

Which I cannot ride, because I am too heavy for it lol. Max rider weight is 220lbs, I'm around 240. So yeah, wanted a slightly bigger bike. So, I found one of these.

A 24" retro (so 70s and 80s design) Quadangle 24. It's a 2016, and they stopped making them then so there's no 2017. I bought a frame, forks, brakes, headset etc for $220 (bear in mind these are £700+ bikes).

It also included a seat clamp, 19mm sealed BB cups and bearings etc. Total cost imported to the UK will be £276. I wanted to keep it under £450, which is a steal for a bike like this. So I bought carefully. First up I needed a crank and I've never rode a crap crank since sealed bearings were invented. I got this, for £35.

Just one problem. It's 22mm spline and euro BB shell. After a bit of digging I found this, and ordered them together.

That was £14. OK so wheels and tyres.

Cost around £50 all in with tubes and rim tape.

Bought a couple of tools I will need.

And.

I found a crank disc in the "Take this to the dump" box.Thankfully it was still there.

Ignore the red chain.. Talking of chains.

Padded Brev seat cost £2

Glow in the dark pedals were £1.50.

Both are made by Brev and usually cost £30 for the seat and £15 for the pedals. I found both on clearance on Triton Cycles.

Seat post was a fiver.

Got the same one in red on the yellow bike.. Chain tugs and axle adapters (rear drops are 14mm I have a 10mm rim F&R)

I bought this Salt+ stem, WTP bars, grips and a brake lever for £25 inc.

Won't use the brake lever.. And finally some 1970s SE stickers for the forks. I think Standing Gear looks ghey.

Total spend so far, £435. I just need the frame and etc to arrive now. It landed in Heathrow on Monday, so soon with any luck !

 

[Greenback]

You'll soon be able to open your own bike shop

 

[AlienALX]

It's started