Following along in the same vein as my "Entry Level Upgrades Topic", http://www.cyclingforums.com/t363004.html, I propose to buy and upgrade a new model Huffy Blackwater as soon as it is released in 1-2 weeks by K-Mart. The 24" bike will suit the shorter rider.


See: http://www.huffybikes.com/bikes/index.html Mountain Bikes 10 and up, the bike is the Blackwater Boys/Mens 24" frame.

Options I will look at are:
Wheel size: 24", 26" or 650c
Tyre size: 1.5", 1.25", 23mm slicks
Crank length: 140, 152, 160, 170, 175mm
Brake callipers: Choosing the drop, 60, 75, 100mm, to suit the rim diameter.
Chainrings: 28/38/48 (should already be standard)
Freewheel Cassette: 6 or 7 speed, 11, 13 or 14 tooth top gear.
Shifters, 6/7/8 speed, Thumb, Twist or Rapid Fire.
Chain: Full index type, 7/8 speed

So, stand by for a fun low cost project.

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Cheers,
George.

Huffys are strong, well, strong enough

It's Here!!

Cyclops label not Huffy, same bike.

Only $69.95!

See Page 14 of http://www.kmart.com.au/catalogue/20...&PageNumber=14 Sept 13-19 Catalogue.

More when unpacked!

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Cheers,
George.

Out of the box:

Frame/Forks: Steel
Wheels: 24x1" Steel Rims, Silver Painted
Tyres: 24x1.95 Mountain
Rear Hub, 14-28 5 speed Spin-on.
Crankset: One piece 152mm arms 28/38/48 chainrings
Seat tube 36cm/14"
Top Tube: 52cm (effective 53cm)
Seat Post: 25.4mm
Stem: 22.2 Quil Type
Bars: Flat Steel
Brakes: V-Brakes with V-Brake Levers
Shifters: Rear is 5 speed Index, Front is Friction.

My initial impression. For a rider of 4'6"-5' $69 could be money well spent. The wheels and cranks sizes are in correct proportion. The addition of some 24" 1.5 Slicks (Duro) would make it roll better. At this point a good ride to school or shops bike. Upgrade the cassette to 6 or 7 speed, Shimano do an 11-28 7 speed and some better shifters and it would go a little faster.


Tomorrow I will strip all the parts off the frame.
First clean out the seat tube, head tube and BB shell.
Next, cut off the bracket for the stand on the chainstay, this will allow the use of 26" wheels.
Fit Side Pull Callipers with a 57mm drop. (abandon the v-brakes)
Fit 26x1.25 tyres (100psi) to a pair of Alloy Wheels.
Fit a hand forged 170mm one piece crankset.
Buy a longer seat post (25.4)
Fit Road (calliper type) Brake Levers.
...more later...

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Cheers,
George.

Are you having a conversation with yourself here?

Glad you're enjoying yourself

Yes having a ball!

Just in case someone wants to follow the project and build one, i'll post some pix as the bike nears completion.

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Cheers,
George.

do you give a **** about Juddy leaving?

Do you ever get on the Big Footy forum?
They are farkin nuts over there. It's gotta be the busiest forum in the world

No, I just play in the bike room and listen to Classic FM.

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Cheers,
George.

I like reading this sort of thing. Please keep it up. Just because people don't post doesn't mean that they aren't interested.
Are you doing this because the V brakes won't fit with a 26 inch wheel on that particular frame?

Cheers,


Rob

Yes, the v-brake mounts on this frame only suit a 507mm rim.

I found some nice (cheap) 48-63mm drop callipers I used on the Gordonson (see pix) and they will go nicely on the Cyclops/Huffy. This means 559 and 571 rims can be used in this frame.
I have put my bike on hold for a day or three.

"Little Jackie" was so impressed with the new bike she went out and bought one today ($69) with a Ladies frame! As customers come before projects, I have to swap lots of bits off her "Old Huffy" and have her new bike ready for Thursday night.

For "Little Jackie", the cranks (152mm) and wheels (24") remain. From her old bike, I will be fitting the slicks, 6 speed cassette and shifters, rack, computer, lights, suspension seat post, ladies saddle, rocket launchers (bottle cages on side of the rack ). New blue grips and cut the bars down to 540mm, that should see her right.

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Cheers,
George.

Thats great. Would you do a straight swap for my Litespeed, or would have have to throw some cash in as well?

Good on ya. Keep it coming.

Can I play too?

Ok then, here's my latest toss fantassy: one of these, but in a 58.
Same colours, but different aloominum

"Little Jackie's" bike is finished!!

Her ol Huffy is now up for sale, $50

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Cheers,
George.

My Huffy/Cyclops is coming along nicely.
Frame cleaned up,seatpost, steerer, BB,
a few less stickers,
170mm one piece crankset,
alloy 57mm drop callipers,
3" riser bars,
Road Brake Levers,
26" alloy wheels,
100psi 26x1.25 tyres,
tubes took a while to find,
400mm seat post next week,
Velocity Bottle cage.

More later..

__________________
Cheers,
George.

Are you a Cioccoholic?

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"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."