How to Make an Old Bike a New Bike.

 So, as I mentioned in my last blog post, I was questioning the utility of having two commuters, one being Henry, the other being Bi.

Now, don't get me wrong, they both have their uses.

Bi is a fully racked and fendered fixed gear, with an awesome horn.

Henry has gears and can haul the world.

What's interesting, though, is Henry only weighs like 10 pounds more than Bi.

Now, I'm no weight weenie, but why should I have two bikes capable of bending light with their mass as my day to day commuters? Especially since one of them is capable of hauling trees home, and the other can only handle smaller trees?

So, Henry becomes my main commuter. And what an awesome commuter he is. The basket on front is a luxury I never knew I would appreciate so much now that I have it. It is so nice to be able to just toss stuff in it as I grab it, without having to step off the bike. Mail, milk, logs, children, it handles it all nicely.

But what about Bi? the oldest bike in my stable? The most reliable?

First, I took the rockin' horn and put it on Henry.

Then, I made Bi into a new bike. Sort of.

Bi, as we all knew and loved... in all his racked, fendered, studly glory.

Remove the racks, the fenders, the studs...

"I'M NAKED!"

29 inches, rigid, and single. Bi is the Dirty Fixie.

With that done... Sunday I went out on the first local singletrack ride of the year, on Bi. It was a blast. Fixed gear off road is challenging, but it also feels like flying. It's amazing how light and nimble Bi is without all the weight. Fun all around.

I think I'll keep it.

Mileage: 9 ish?