I've mentioned a few times on here recently, but thought that it was about time I actually put a thread together for my daughter's bike. Background is - my son gave me about two weeks notice to find a new bike for him for the school's proficiency test. I've been through a bit of a dodgy few years and as a result not seen much of my kiddies or had much to do with bikes. After a week of frantic scrabbling I found him a lovely little 20" wheel Felt. Which sort of whet my appetite a bit - it felt good to strip down and rebuild a bike again.
As my daughter has now outgrown her 20" wheel Giant, I thought I'd build her up a 26" wheel - sort of retro thing. It started out as a 'so she didn't feel upset that her brother had something new' and I think is turning into a bit more of a labour of love, for me. I'm sure other parents who've been through the same stuff can empathise - if you can't be with them, you try and do what you can to compensate (and keep yourself busy).
Anyway - after a bit of searching on eBay I found a nice little Specalized Hardrock. Nothing special - just a nice small frame (we have short legs in my family) - looking for some love.
eBay pictures showed it was a little rough - but I though a quick power coat and a few retro components, and I'd soon be done. When it arrived - have to say that I was initially disappointed - felt like a brick. Stripped it down though and felt a lot better - cheap Suntour's on the front and a heavy BB didn't help. The guy on eBay was really nice and had sent me a crank, but again - heavier than my intended purpose!
First photo shows the original eBay pic, following are when I received it and stripped it down.
p.s. Sorry - I do go on a lot when I write... so bear with me!
As my daughter has now outgrown her 20" wheel Giant, I thought I'd build her up a 26" wheel - sort of retro thing. It started out as a 'so she didn't feel upset that her brother had something new' and I think is turning into a bit more of a labour of love, for me. I'm sure other parents who've been through the same stuff can empathise - if you can't be with them, you try and do what you can to compensate (and keep yourself busy).
Anyway - after a bit of searching on eBay I found a nice little Specalized Hardrock. Nothing special - just a nice small frame (we have short legs in my family) - looking for some love.
eBay pictures showed it was a little rough - but I though a quick power coat and a few retro components, and I'd soon be done. When it arrived - have to say that I was initially disappointed - felt like a brick. Stripped it down though and felt a lot better - cheap Suntour's on the front and a heavy BB didn't help. The guy on eBay was really nice and had sent me a crank, but again - heavier than my intended purpose!
First photo shows the original eBay pic, following are when I received it and stripped it down.
p.s. Sorry - I do go on a lot when I write... so bear with me!
