Category Archives: Becoming a bicycle

Rack and fender attachment

Posted on March 10, 2019 by

Two nifty design ideas from my friend Dave Atkinson. First: the mono-stay connecting the front of Blackburn rack to the frame of this old Schwinn mixte. It’s curved to match the shape of the wheel and painted to match the … Continue reading →

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Something old, something new and blue derailleur housing: the Giant Escape

Posted on December 13, 2017 by

I picked up a Giant Escape after someone backed over it with a car, maybe a tractor. Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming a bicycle, Bushwhacker, Giant | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Rebuilt in central Illinois: the Royal Scot

Posted on November 16, 2016 by

Dave inserted the Royal Scot back into the flow of history, creating something sure to confuse anyone trying to identify this particular model. Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming a bicycle, Bushwhacker, History, Other bicycles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Les confessions du snob de selle

Posted on October 30, 2016 by

Every once in a while, you realize your imagination has its limits. Your flexible mind, capable of intuiting many potential solutions to the same challenge, is faced with something that cannot, in any way, be a solution to that challenge. … Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming a bicycle, Equipment | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Frame building for credit at the University of Iowa

Posted on May 2, 2015 by

Historically, frame building often begins with brazing the first frame. But TIG welding is a more universal skill in terms of application. You don’t braze a trailer hitch, for instance; you weld it. Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming a bicycle, Equipment, Other bicycles, People, Report from the road | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Chroming the Boxer: Jack Trumbull makes it shine

Posted on January 31, 2015 by

“When I send a frame to the plater, it looks exactly like when I get it back. It takes hours and hours of polishing. ” Continue reading →

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Chroming the Boxer: Mitch Hull makes a few changes

Posted on January 29, 2015 by

You’re right on the satisfaction–and right that there have been a few changes. Continue reading →

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