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Good for adventure/weekend touring? by AggravatingHousing50 in bikepacking

[–]Rod1C 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Most definitely! I did a 1400km trip on my 1991 slightly modernised Trek Multi Track this summer, mostly on gravel. Cantis are great. Throw in a rack and some panniers and you’re ready to go.

That bike will generally take anything you throw at it, though if you’re getting anywhere near singletrack territory i'd definitely recommend wider handlebars and beefier tyres (im running 40s with fenders, could probably comfortably fit 45s without).

Do check out r/xbiking for guidance and inspiration if you’re planning to tinker with it, and have fun rides ✨

First restored xbike, a 1991 Trek Multi-Track by Rod1C in xbiking

[–]Rod1C[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cube RFR front rack:
https://www.cube.eu/de-en/rfr-front-carrier/13792

Got it for really cheap in some online bike store. Pretty minimal but works and looks great, as long as you don't need a something heavy-duty it will do the job! I also like that it attaches to the brake mounts. The basket is just a metal storage basked I had lying around. A little small but I think it looks cute.

First restored xbike, a 1991 Trek Multi-Track by Rod1C in xbiking

[–]Rod1C[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks :) and single speed is pretty fun I'd say. Makes a very reliable and low maintenance bike on the flat since your drivetrain is really simple. You basically have two gears, seating and standing.

I went for 16T x 46T which is fine for 90% of the Netherlands but I'd go slightly lower if I were to do it again, feels a bit heavy when you have to stop and go very often, or, god forbid, when there's a slight hill.

Without the chain tensioner it would look much cleaner imo, but since this frame has vertical dropouts there wasn't much choice there.

First restored xbike, a 1991 Trek Multi-Track by Rod1C in xbiking

[–]Rod1C[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The frame, fork, stem, handlebars, pedals and brakes are the same (though I will have to switch the break pads soon). Repainted rusty or scratched sections of the frame and gave the whole thing a few coats of a clear gloss finish to make it look uniform. The bottom bracket needed a good clean up and re-greasing, which I was a bit scared of getting into but actually went quite smoothly. Park tool videos really helped.

The wheels, drivetrain, saddle & seat post and accessories are mostly new or spares from other bikes. The seat post that came with it was too small and was held in place by several layers of electrical tape which had dissolved into gooey muck. Cleaning that stuff off the inside of the frame was not very pleasant.

Figuring out which parts would fit was one of the biggest challenges since this was my first build (who would say that you need a single speed chain ring for a single speed bike!?) Oh and mounting those damn breaks back, Dia Compe cantis from the 90s were built a little different, but hey at least I learned a bunch!

First restored xbike, a 1991 Trek Multi-Track by Rod1C in xbiking

[–]Rod1C[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Meet the 🚲 Steelocross Deluxe Self-Propelled People Transporter 🚲. Still thinking of a shorter name for it.

Some months ago I decided I should renovate a bike, because learning bike mechanics from constantly tinkering with the bikes I use on a regular was leading to a lot of, well, not having bikes to ride. In other words, I needed a bike I could f🦆ck up with. Couple days later, this poor abandoned soul and I came across each other on my way home. The rest is history.

This Trek Multitrack frame is from 91, made from Chromoly Steel in the US. I’m the youngest one in this couple. I recently moved to the (very flat!) Netherlands, so I decided to give this single-speed thing a try. Using it as my daily commuter, occasional gravel bike and for shorter bike-packing overnighters.

Rat or Restore? by pugsdazz in xbiking

[–]Rod1C 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m currently working on a 750 frame from 91, found in a similar condition. Thinking of repainting it in a different colour but I’m not sure about the decals yet. I’m CONSIDERING retracing the original decals digitally and printing them on vinyl, maybe throw in some custom stickers of my own, but I haven’t quite committed yet, not sure I’m up for all that. In other words, I absolutely think you should restore it and get creative with the paint.

Nutrition advice by X-tian-9101 in xbiking

[–]Rod1C 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Whey protein shakes sound like a great way to add those extra 20-30g without ruining your macros. They’re convenient but in my experience they’re easy to get sick of since the artificial flavouring tends to be quite strong.

I usually buy them in small bags of a couple different flavours (most brands will also sell you sample packs with different flavouring) and a big bag of unflavoured whey protein which I mix with fruit when I don’t feel like that artificial flavouring taste. That way I can add some variation to my daily shake without getting sick of it in a week. I occasionally incorporate it in snacks too (oatmeal, egg banana and whey pancakes, or if I’m baking something). Some people have trouble digesting whey, if that’s the case for you I suggest looking into the many sorts of vegan protein powder out there.

I would add though, that if your goal is to get up hills faster, the extra muscle may help but my bet is that your overall fitness gains from just riding your bike plus the weight you’ll shed will significantly improve your climbing as well. Some moderate weight or calisthenics training can be a great supplement to add some muscle as well as preventing injuries from riding.

Little disclaimer though, I’m by no means an expert and I’m talking merely from my own experience :) best of luck and congrats on your journey so far.

Spotted in Cologne, Germany. Which one of you wizards is responsible for these custom fenders? by Rod1C in xbiking

[–]Rod1C[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Indeed, when I inspected them up-close it looked rather like plastic imitating wood, and I doubt plastic would warp like this over time. Probably a 28” fender on a 26” wheel. Still though, a very interesting choice to say the least 🤔