09.22
I originally posted this in the "Art Exhibit" thread because I had a very specific vision for it, and because I built it from the ground up. Maybe not art to some. But art to me, no doubt. And it took me something like 9 months or more.
100% scratch-built. 100% custom. There is no other bike like it. Meet gangstaLean(tm)…
Specifics…
-> Road/BMX hybrid — road frame, fork, and wheels, BMX steering column.
-> 7-speed rear gearing only. (Technically, only 6-speeds, cause the chain falls off when you hit 1st gear. Oops!)
-> One brake. Front. I live for the thrill. (WR is appalled at this detail.)
-> Emergency kit under the seat. 3 zipties, 2 inner tubes, a tire iron, and a sack of weed.
-> Black electrical tape covering all decals. (1) They don’t pay me to advertise for them. (2) It looks stolen.
-> 50/12 top end gearing. FAST.
Backstory…
A frame was left on the swapRock(tm) in our building. (Giant boulder in the lobby on which people leave free shit.) It went through two owners (one of whom was our very own WrongRobot) before finding its way to me. Once I had it, it was on. I was bound and determined to make a custom ride for myself. A fully custom, hybrid BMX/road, full-stealth, tech, mashin, city bike.
Development…
I won’t bore you with details, but suffice it to say that the geometries of the frame precluded this bike being easy to obtain parts for. It’s a triathlon frame, which means it’s smaller than your average roadbike, which means it’s fucking impossible to just go out and start grabbing up parts. EBay was my friend throughout this process. And a Dremel tool. Yeah. That’s right. I had to grind, bang, bend, and smack this baby into being.
And lest you think I’m not reppin R3, know this. The single brake lever is RED. And see that forkblade there? Here’s a closeup…
BELIEVE.