Beware of sellers using the phrase ready to ride

As I cruise craigslist daily, I often check out the regular bike sellers just to see what they have acquired. We spend much of our time in search of just the right bike to rebuild. I get jealous when, someone beats me to a nice old lugged bike, or some Dura Ace equipped bike that sold way too cheap. Some of these guys post regularly on CL, I really don't know they find the time to post as much as they do. Many seem to be stuck on the phase "ready to ride". Some also are big on the words de-greased and re-greased. A writer from Chicago Magazine can in recently and interviewed us. He asked what should one look for when purchasing a used bike. I told to look out for guys who said their bike was "fine tuned" a term who's hidden meaning is "bullshit". Another one to look out for is "ready to ride". It's a copied term that gets used way too often. It's hidden meaning is " I haven't fucking touched the bottom bracket, so don't ask". At the time of this post, I used keywords ready to ride on a CL bike search and got 79 matches. My advice, beware!

A twenty plus year old bike, with twenty plus year old wheels? No mention from any of these guys about spoke re-tension. On single speeds, look out for guys who failed to mention if the rear wheel was re-spaced or re-dished. It takes a lot of time and patience. It's needed in most every case, It make for a straight chainline. Prevents premature chain wear and most importantly, keeps the chain from falling off. Below is a photo of and incorrect chainline. It's way too far to the left.


It's easy to put a bike out sale at $200 bucks if you don't put any time or money into it. Below is an example of a good chainline. Checkout the spacing.


To do a good rebuild, one should really replace the wheels, unless they were really nice double eyeleted ones used on higher end models. I'm gonna start sending these guys emails asking, what the fucks up with the old ass wheels? Gotta check their asses. Shits outta control.

Perfectly Spaced.

Talk about ruffling Feathers

I rarely get comments on this blog, occasionally I get some from people who I know. Mostly good stuff or something funny. The previous post must have really struck a nerve to a few readers as I got plenty negative comments. I'm of the belief that any criticism is ok. At least then I know folks are reading. This one guy said I have no business talking about the Mercier Kilo TT. When I don't know who the rider is. Well, I don't remember saying I care who was riding it. I wouldn't car if it where a relative of mine. Though I would not be speaking to them. I just said they, (the bikes) have no soul. While certain bikes do have their place, (they meet a price point) of fit a budget (usually low). It's okay to say how you feel about them. Furthermore if you want your comment posted please have the balls to leave a name with your comment. Otherwise keep it to yourself. A crew of us went to NAHBS this winter and the two things you could say about the bikes on display. They had tons of character and plenty of soul. Perhaps because they built by humans. (by hand). Not just a spec sheet that was faxed to Taiwan. If that's what some people call a nice bike, so be it. Some people call Lite beer, beer. I call it a waste of money. Taking great names like Motobecane, Windsor, Dawes and Mercier. Marketing them to appear to be different brands and selling them to the masses, is just kinda shitty. For those who wrote and said this blog sucks, and I suck, thanks for reading. For those who like it, much love!

Sold at bikesdirect.com
Comes in many colors,
Free shipping,
Still ain't got no soul...

Things I've noticed of Late

I just finished going over my SD card, clearing out some of the junk photos and there are a few things that I've come to notice. Thought I'd catalogue them here. Here is what Hippies used to call Hash

Of course, things sometimes change for the worse.
Here is what hipsters call hash.

I think I prefer the smaller plastic bag.
It seems more and more people are doing the World Naked Bike Ride

More folks are riding bikes these days. Makes me happy. Along with that the saggy ass factor appears to be disappearing. That can't be a bad thing.


Amy has been working real hard for the title of worlds worse dressed human and she does a pretty good job of keeping herself near the top of the heap.

But just when she nears the top of the pile, Sven Lager just smacks her the fuck back down. Yikes!

Because of a silly bet, I gave up eating sausage and all other meat for a month.

A whole month! I did not lose a fucking pound!

That 70s French bikes are really beautiful...

However the shit you buy from bikesdirect.com Ain't got no soul.

Let's not forget, Chicks and Bikes.





Be back soon.

Hard to Post in Warm Weather

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Between the warm weather and how good beer seems to taste this time of year, posting has been tough. Lot's going on recently. My dad came into town earlier last week, and my right arm Carene, left town late last week. Luckily I'm left handed. While Carene was away, I had a wife for the weekend. I forgot how nice marriage can often be. The Lady Pillow Talk in Chicago and I went to a bike swap, tons of garage sales and Wolff's Flea Market at the Allstate Arena. I never knew how much the lady loved looking for treasures. Below was the haul from Sundays outing.

Having a wife was so much fun, that I didn't even mind the three-hundred stairs we had to tackle afterwards. I would highly recommend a shopping trip with the Lady, but you'll have a hard time over the next few months as I don't want her to shop with anyone else. Isn't she lovely?

In other news, we have been building some hot as hell bikes of late. Kristy and Matt picked up these bikes recently. Kristy's is a vintage Gitane mixte and Matt's is a Vintage Motobecane with Nervex lugs. Both are fine examples of rich French cycling history.


I had one hell of time convincing Lisa, that an old Peugeot frame would make one of the hottest bikes around. She now understands. The photos speak for themselves.


Stay tuned, lot's more hot stuff to come.

This Week in Bikeville

Some pretty interesting things seem to happen in Bikeville. What's really neat is, all you have to do is keep your eyes open. In her last post Bean forgot to mention just how addicted she is to perfection. Here she is making adjustments to Briannas bike on the street.

Of course, what she really wanted to do was hop on her bike and do a silly trackstand. Don't you love her?


Powdercoating is the Shit. Look at how Brianna's crank turned out.


What is it about chicks who promote booze? Is it me, or?



Maybe it's me. Anyway, chicks with bikes are way more interesting. Look who picked up bikes recently. Below is Laura with an 81' Ross Fixie that Bean built.


Got my finger on the trigger and might start cappin...


Alex stopped by recently. I love chick and bike photos.

The Dawes head badge is wicked hot.


Kate the Baller finally finished her "Sunday Bike". she wouldn't pose with it but here is two thousand words.



Fixedgeargallery ain't got shit on Bikeville.

The Matchbox, Cinco De Mayo, and a Mariachi band

On May 5 we headed down to the Matchbox on Chicago ave and Milwaukee ave. Ron and Ryan had already put back a few Beamishes, so Clare, Jesse, and I tried to catch up with some help of Newcastle. While sitting outside, the Matchbox has great bike viewing from riders, commuters, racers, and cruisers. While staring at the street all of a sudden, a Mariachi band came around the corner! Lady Pillowtalk from Chicago was flabbergasted!



They were very excited. And they just kept coming and coming from around the corner! I was thinking maybe there were 3 or 4 members in a Mariachi Band but this one had more than ten!


Synchronized shouting and dancing is a given, but gyration was also included in the performance.


Ryan was enjoying himself. But ladies, beware: He's not actually a vegan. But he does shave his legs (I guess it makes him faster on his bike).


Mike was drinking Heineken and looking cool with shades and a cigarette.


We all had prime, rockstar parking. Right next to our table.
Here is Mike's bicycle..


Jesse found a good spot as well for her Miyata mixte fixy.


But Clare (Lady Pillowtalk) couldn't figure it out... Ryan and I decided it's time for training wheels.


And we found some on craigslist last night... $7 for one but 2 for $10!



Ron was rocking some Elvis sunglasses with a handsome jacket and.... a VERY handsome Cervelo tri-bike.



Ah well, we all had a great time. The Cointreau liquor pushers came around trying to get rid of tshirts and margarita samples. Clare had me stuff a lime squeezer, shaker, and stirrer into my bag.
At the end of the evening we ended up at our usual spot right across the street, D'Agastino's, for more drinks and food.



Written and photographed by, Bean.

Craigslist and Cook County Sheriff Dart

Silly things often cross my mind when I'm idle. It's a good thing I've been busy lately, it keeps me from thinking about shit like this:


In Illinois, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart sued Craigslist last month, saying the site not only allows the solicitation of prostitution, but also has actively created "the largest source of prostitution in America."

What? Let me get this straight, the good sheriff thinks the erotic services section of Craigslist has created the largest source of prostitution in America. What an Idiot.
A quick peek at the erotic services section of CL in Chicago reveals this:

SEXY, SATISTYING, SIMPLY THE BEST !!..SCHOOL FUND-RAINSING* - t4m - 24

the add goes on to state that this person has small boobs and an 8" surprise down below. Looking for married men who want a little something more than what the wifey has. Doesn't sound criminal to me. Judging from the poor spelling this person does really need education funds. What does t4m mean?
Anyway, another add went a little something like this:

Sexy, Busty Hottie for Breast Appreciation Day - w4m - 22 (Outcall Downtown)
Who knew! Breast appreciation day? Sounds better than sweetest day. Here's a bit more of the add:

Hi there fellas, give me a call and I'll pay you a visit in this little pink bra and thong. I'll be up all night waiting for you. I took these pictures yesterday and am feeling hot. 200 roses for an hour. I'm 5 ft tall, 135 lbs, 36 DD natural- 29-38. I love to make a man moan - I'll give you a nice sensual rubdown, not neglecting any section of your body :) I also love visits to the spa to receive facials and russian massages, don't you? Pics are 100% real. I ask that you be clean, drug and disease free when I arrive, thanks. XoXo, Tiffany 312.xxx.xxxx

Ahh Tiffany. 200 hundred roses? How romantic is that? All you need to be is Drug and Disease free when she arrives! Sounds fantastic! I'll probably have to wait another month until roses sprout up in the neighborhood. I'll admit, I'm to cheap to buy 200 roses from a florist.

As far as I can tell, the erotic services section looks pretty tame to me. If the sheriff really wanted to catch some crooks he might try looking in the for sale section. Specifically bikes! Get a load of this.

Univega Single Speed - 58cm - $200 (Chicago)

Reply to: sale-a5wjz-1135972220@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Date: 2009-04-23, 6:39AM CDT

58 cm Blue Univega single speed with upright handlebars, new tires, new tubes, new chain and new grips...26" rims with coaster brake...frame is in excellent shape. $200


Location: Chicago
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 1135972220

200 bucks? For a road bike that has wheels that are a full size too small? What's gonna happen when you turn and your pedal hits the pavement because the crank arms are too low to the ground? I'll tell you. You'll be in the hospital with your mouth wired shut. You won't even be able to speak to this guy over the phone and ask for your 200 bucks back. Sheriff Dart arrest that guy please. Charge him with crimes against the cycling community.

Think that was bad check this out:
****Classic Mixte Frame Nishiki (Super Clean)**** - $200 (Lincoln Square)

Reply to: sale-egmjt-1135464421@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Date: 2009-04-22, 6:52PM CDT


This is beautiful restored Vintage bike with classic lines. It's beautiful to ride and very fast. Many new parts and freshly tuned. It rides like new and you will enjoy it immensely. You can see it at Shining Bikes located at 5600 N. Western Ave. in Chicago. Please give me a call if you are on your way. Robert 773-xxx-xxxx


Many new parts? Like what? That shitty seat? That bike is thirty years old and so are it's PARTS. Go directly to jail, do not collect 200 dollars.
How about this lying sack of Shit?

Sky Blue Vintage Ladies Free Spirit - $150 (Northside )

Reply to: sale-pmpba-1138324511@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Date: 2009-04-24, 2:07PM CDT


Vintage Free Spirit 3 speed Cruiser Mint condition, tuned, greased and ready to ride Sized for person 5'3' to 5'9". Easy riding Chrome fenders.call me or e mail Sekhema @773-512-9503



One way to spot a lying poster is to look closely at the photos. The poster claimed to have greased and tuned the bicycle. He also called it a 3 speed. One can clearly see from the photos that it's a 5 speed. If he had actually worked on the fucker, he would have known at least that much. A forty year old bike needs much more than a little grease also. Shithead.

It's a lot easier to go after prostitutes, who at least know what it is theyre selling, than to go after bike hacks. Just a thought.