Old Ten Speed Gallery

I love junk bikes and I love dumping time and money into junk bikes, but I always try to keep the monetary commitment relative to the quality level of project bike/frame. Apparently this bike’s owner does not apply to my philosophy. On his flickr page, he claims he found this Murray in his parents’ barn - I believe it. This Murray 10-speed is nothing special, but it’s nothing to throw away either. I would recommend fixing it up, but I would limit the investment to about $50. This bike can easily be torn down, bearings repacked, shifting tuned and the tubes and tires replaced if needed for very little out-of-pocket expense. He could make this a nice, reliable (albeit dorky) bike, but instead, he decides this bike must be converted into the bicycle equivalent of a $150 car with a $10000 wheels.

I took some time and figured up what he may have spent on this $25 Murray.

• $139 Sugino Messenger Crank
• $63 Red Selle Italia ProLink Saddle
• $26 American / European Bottom Bracket Conversion
• $27 Sugino Bottom Bracket
• $14 Christophe Red Leather Toe Straps
• $125 Used Sun M13II Wheels
• $394 Total Invested (not including shipping, chain, tires, toe clips or bar wrap)

A perfect example of the whole being less than the sum of it’s parts. What do you think?

Why, after all this money and time, did he just flop and chop his drops? Go ahead and spring for some cheap bull horns.

Today’s entry, a 1989ish Ross 10-speed, comes to us from Deborah in Brooklyn. I can see why this guy is your EX, Deborah. I would be pissed too if someone took my 10-speed and ripped all the good stuff off of it! I suppose all is not lost; if his actions got you to ride it more frequently than it’s ok with me. This entry has also prompted a new entry in the OTSG Glossary (HTFC).

Deborah Said:
My father bought me this Ross during the summer of 1989 or 1990. I was 12 or 13, and really upset to have a boy’s bike and didn’t ride it much. About four years ago, my now ex-boyfriend saw it in my parent’s garage and insisted he be allowed at it. He flipped and chopped the handle-bars, cleaned off the reflectors and stickers, new tires, new seat, cut out half the gears. I added some Kryptonite locking skewers and now have the perfect city bike. I have a short commute (only a mile), but love riding this bike everyday.

Thanks for your entry Deborah