I was driving around yesterday when I found a bike discarded on the side of the road. There was no seat, lots of rust, and the front tire was pulled from the wheel and wrapped tightly around the handlebars for reasons I cannot fathom.
It was a simple, fixed-gear beach cruiser with coaster brakes, decals read "Cruisin' USA", but no manufacturer's name was visible. Regardless, like the best things in life, it was FREE.
Well, I stuffed it into the backseat of my car and headed off.
I took it into the shop at work today, since I was heading in anyway to fix a bike for one of the women in the office (I work at a camp).
The camp keeps several bikes around for summer staff to use, and I've become the default bike mechanic to keep these things in a functioning state. When one becomes beyond saving, I cannibalize it for parts.
Anyway, I stripped a broken down mountain bike for parts (the shifter controls went to the office woman's bike), so I decided to use it to rehab the bike I picked up off the road.
Snagged the entire front assembly (fork, wheel, tire, brakes, controls). Took the seat, post, and quick-release adjustment bolt (though I'll probably get a better seat...). I also took off the mountain bike's rear wheel (with gear assembly), as well as the rear derailleur. The frame needed to be stretched out a bit to fit, but it's all on there.
But now I have no rear brakes. There's nothing to mount read brakes to on the frame.
I did notice a mount plate in another thread, but that looked more like it was made for use on the front forks. Would it work on the rear?
Or is there an alternative form of braking system that would work? Like a universal set of V-brakes that clamp to the frame?
Thanks.
EDIT: Can't get a picture yet, but this eBay listing is an IDENTICAL bike (only in far better condition and mine's black), right down to the foam-covered handlebars.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CRUISIN-USA...166?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cfe230be6
It was a simple, fixed-gear beach cruiser with coaster brakes, decals read "Cruisin' USA", but no manufacturer's name was visible. Regardless, like the best things in life, it was FREE.
Well, I stuffed it into the backseat of my car and headed off.
I took it into the shop at work today, since I was heading in anyway to fix a bike for one of the women in the office (I work at a camp).
The camp keeps several bikes around for summer staff to use, and I've become the default bike mechanic to keep these things in a functioning state. When one becomes beyond saving, I cannibalize it for parts.
Anyway, I stripped a broken down mountain bike for parts (the shifter controls went to the office woman's bike), so I decided to use it to rehab the bike I picked up off the road.
Snagged the entire front assembly (fork, wheel, tire, brakes, controls). Took the seat, post, and quick-release adjustment bolt (though I'll probably get a better seat...). I also took off the mountain bike's rear wheel (with gear assembly), as well as the rear derailleur. The frame needed to be stretched out a bit to fit, but it's all on there.
But now I have no rear brakes. There's nothing to mount read brakes to on the frame.
I did notice a mount plate in another thread, but that looked more like it was made for use on the front forks. Would it work on the rear?
Or is there an alternative form of braking system that would work? Like a universal set of V-brakes that clamp to the frame?
Thanks.
EDIT: Can't get a picture yet, but this eBay listing is an IDENTICAL bike (only in far better condition and mine's black), right down to the foam-covered handlebars.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CRUISIN-USA...166?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cfe230be6
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