Tarck Bike
I learned a new term today: Tarck Bike To put it simply a Tarck Bike is a street bike posing as a Track Bike. Track bikes are machines built with a singular purpose: to go fast around on a velodrome. They are characterized by their minimalist design that foregoes any unnecessary weight. They thus have … Continue reading
Shopping List
Now that I have a To Do List, I might as well start a shopping list for the things that need to be purchased. In the Beater spirit I will try, if possible, to source these things used and cheap. In some cases I’ve included product links or pictures as a guide to what I’d … Continue reading
Bicycle Spray Paint 101
If you want a really nice professional quality paint job on your bike, take it to a professional. If you have a beater, spray it yourself and live with the lovable imperfections. Here is a sampling of advice drawn from the online collective: BRANDS Duplicolor Plasti-Kote Preval Hammerite SEM Rustoleum POR-15 Remarks Of the conventional … Continue reading
To Do
The bicycle is in good shape, but there are a few things that I would like to do. This is the point where I have to resist the temptation to do too much. When I first bought the bike I was thinking of restoring it to it’s full 1990’s glory: removing the spray paint, restoring … Continue reading
Bicycle = Perfection
Why the bicycle is the greatest form of transportation known to man. It’s inexpensive to build, own and maintain. It can be maintained by anyone, anywhere, using simple and commonly available tools. It’s a simple machine, with easily accessible, exposed parts. Zero emissions. Using it makes you healthier. It’s extremely energy efficient. A … Continue reading
Spray Bomb
What’s a spray bomb? Not a bomb for starters. It’s an indiscriminate spray can paint job. BICYCLE PAINT JOB There’s nothing wrong with painting a bicycle with a rattle can. In fact there are plenty of examples online of the right way to do it. It usually involves dis-assembling the bike, protecting certain parts, and … Continue reading
1996 Rocky Mountain Hammer Race
SPECS Overview Manufacturer: Rocky Mountain Bicycles Bicycle Type Mountain bike, front suspension MSRP (new) $995.00 Weight 26.1 Sizes 16″, 17.5″, 18.5″, 19.5″, 21″ Colors Race red Item ID 56872 Frame & Fork Frame Construction TIG-welded steel Frame Tubing Material Tange chromoly, triple-butted Fork Brand & Model Rock Shox Quadra 21R Fork Material Magnesium, triple-clamp crown … Continue reading
Meet Rocky
I bought the bicycle at a pawn shop on St-Laurent street in Montreal. It had been spray bombed. The previous owner painted over the entire bike in matte black. It was done indiscriminately without any prep or dis-assembly. I could tell it was an older model mountain bike, but the paint obscured any labels. I … Continue reading
NO SUCH THING
This is my bicycle. It’s what’s generally referred to as a “beater”. Beater Bicycle Noun: A bicycle of little monetary value meant to take the punishment of daily riding at minimum cost and trouble and be unattractive to thieves. I think that definition is about right. The common assumption is that the beater is the … Continue reading
beater bicycle works 