Hey there,
I got switched on to FELT bicycles after I saw PICTURES of the M.P. in 2006 while overseas at Kwajalein.
Recently, I walked into a sweet deal on a used aluminum frame Felt 'RED BARON' single speed that had been banged around by a teenage boy. I bought it for $180!
But, I NEED to customize it, as I REALLY wanted an aluminum frame M.P. - but they are fairly rare and the new ones are $800+ and have that new tank frame design (Deep 6) which I personally don't find as appealing as the more 'classic' look of the older frames.
So, I started customizing this bike.
First to go were the handlebars and grips. I bought some semi-ape hangers, grips and a bell from the local bike shop.
The worst dinged up piece was the chain guard. I hammered out the biggest misshapen dents and then roughed it up and painted over that beautiful Iron Cross that was damaged beyond repair.
I am planning on Replacing/Upgrading the following:
1) Front forks with something similar to the M.P. / el Guapo forks
2) Lay back style seat post
3) Seat
4) New Chain Guard ?
Here is the kicker: other than changing a tire, I REALLY haven't done much bike work! The relacing of the spokes looks especially challenging to me! But, I figure with the good folks here and maybe a YouTube video I can tackle it! If not, then the Local Shop is going to be getting some more business from me - not that I am against that, but I would like to DO THIS MYSELF!
I will be searching through threads and trying to gather info, if you have any recommendations or "You should Do THIS!" suggestions, please fire away! I am a middle-aged kid.
~Willie-D
I got switched on to FELT bicycles after I saw PICTURES of the M.P. in 2006 while overseas at Kwajalein.
Recently, I walked into a sweet deal on a used aluminum frame Felt 'RED BARON' single speed that had been banged around by a teenage boy. I bought it for $180!
But, I NEED to customize it, as I REALLY wanted an aluminum frame M.P. - but they are fairly rare and the new ones are $800+ and have that new tank frame design (Deep 6) which I personally don't find as appealing as the more 'classic' look of the older frames.
So, I started customizing this bike.
First to go were the handlebars and grips. I bought some semi-ape hangers, grips and a bell from the local bike shop.
The worst dinged up piece was the chain guard. I hammered out the biggest misshapen dents and then roughed it up and painted over that beautiful Iron Cross that was damaged beyond repair.
I am planning on Replacing/Upgrading the following:
- Pedals with some refurbed DK Iron Cross pedals
- Fenders with some black full fenders from Felt
- A couple racks front & rear
- Possibly some wooden panniers - a front light and a tail light
- a Shimano 8 speed hub in the rear
- a SA front brake & dynamo hub
1) Front forks with something similar to the M.P. / el Guapo forks
2) Lay back style seat post
3) Seat
4) New Chain Guard ?
Here is the kicker: other than changing a tire, I REALLY haven't done much bike work! The relacing of the spokes looks especially challenging to me! But, I figure with the good folks here and maybe a YouTube video I can tackle it! If not, then the Local Shop is going to be getting some more business from me - not that I am against that, but I would like to DO THIS MYSELF!
I will be searching through threads and trying to gather info, if you have any recommendations or "You should Do THIS!" suggestions, please fire away! I am a middle-aged kid.
~Willie-D
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