The Phoenix

[mkane53]

I picked up a couple of junker bikes at the Chicago Police Auction this past winter for almost nothing; Started cutting them apart on June 21st. Working evenings and weekends ... I was riding by July 9th. I rode it for about 2 weeks and did a couple of 30 mile rides on it and decided that it was such a pleasure to ride that I'd better suck it up, tear it down and paint it ... or I'd never get it done.

In light of the genesis of these bikes I decided to name it "The Phoenix", paint it in a fire (black fading to red fading to yellow) paint scheme and airbrushed a Rising Phoenix Logo onto each head tube.

I think it turned out pretty nicely. It's an absolute Dream to ride. My Cannondale T-1000 has been collecting dust since this has been ridable.

I'm attaching a couple of photos of the finished bike.

[ditz]

It is a fitting name and a nice bike. A job well done.

[TheKid]

Nice paint scheme. Those Meridians do ride nice!

[AtomicZombie]

Great job, and thanks for the feedback - that's what keeps me motivated.

Brad

[locolarry]

Mike,
Welcome and WOW! at the same time! I'm very proud FOR you...what a super job. You inspire us all to "go for it!":) What's next???:D
LocoslowpokeLarry

[rykoala]

Hey, that is a very nice bike. I wish I could do paint like that! I just don't have the patience. For me paint is something to keep it from rusting.

[mkane53]

Great job, and thanks for the feedback - that's what keeps me motivated.

Brad

I was amazed at just how easy the whole process really was and absolutely stunned at how well the resulting Meridian rides.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words about the outcome.

Next ... well there will certainly BE a next. Actually the "Tradewinds Tandem" looks pretty interesting. Not sure yet though.

[gbbwolf]

Hey, that is a very nice bike. I wish I could do paint like that! I just don't have the patience. For me paint is something to keep it from rusting.

I agree I am NO PAINTER.

And SWEEEET ride dude nice job Love that Paint job.


Nelson:cool:

[SirJoey]

Whoa! Great work, dude! That is one sharp lookin' ride!
Exceptional paint work! Nice color scheme, too!

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/7131/sirjoeysigmedij1.gif

[Richie Rich]

Welcome to the KREW, 'mkane'....
It's great to see someone who's first posting includes completed bike pix. NICE...!!

.....Richie Rich....
.

[mkane53]

I certainly couldn't have done it without the information that I learned here. I didn't post before it was done, but I was certainly soaking up you guys' wisdom and insight.

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but it really is an incredible feeling of accomplishment to be riding a bike that you've built yourself. When someone says, "That's cool, where can I buy something like that?" and you tell them "You can't; you have to build it yourself!"

Mike Kane

[AtomicZombie]

Exactly!

Saying "I built this myself" is worth so much more than saying "I paid well over X $$$ for this".

When you can clam that you built it yourself, it means two things - you are motivated and have garage hacker skills.

When you can only claim how much you spent, it means you are either bragging about your wealth or possibly your gullibility!

Brad

[SirJoey]

Saying "I built this myself" is worth so much more than saying "I paid well over X $$$ for this".
When you can clam that you built it yourself, it means two things - you are motivated and have garage hacker skills.
When you can only claim how much you spent, it means you are either bragging about your wealth or possibly your gullibility!

Well said, AZ, well said! These are the reasons I ride my home-builts so much more than my factory-builts! :D

I know one thing for sure, if I had discovered this website & forum a couple of years sooner, I'd be nearly 5 grand richer! :rolleyes:

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/7131/sirjoeysigmedij1.gif

[TheKid]

Or 10 grand poorer!

[mkane53]

Or 10 grand poorer!

... and speaking of that, I just downloaded the plans for the Tradewind Tandem.

A former neighbor once commented: "Living next to you is like living next to Doctor Frankenstein. I never know what the hell you're going to roll out of your garage next."

In this particular case it would seem that the answer is going to be a Recumbent Tandem ... or a Tandem Recumbent ... or a ... RecuTan or a TandeBent or something; but this'll probably take a bit longer since I don't already have the scrap bikes (well I have one) and I'm gonna spend time riding the Meridian that I just completed.

[ditz]

We expect and beg for step by step updates on the Tradewinds build. I am currently getting a cheap DF tandem setup to see if my spouse is capable and willing to ride a tandem and if we find that she fills both criteria I expect to build a tradewinds too so pleeeeeese keep us posted. My other build will be a Meridian for those solo rides.

[mkane53]

Yep. I'll do exactly that. I'll post over in the Tradewinds forum very shortly as I start cranking it up ... probably this weekend.

If you haven't built/ridden the Meridian, you are in for a real treat. Easy to build and rides incredibly well. It's comfortable, fast and well mannered. I've made enough short hauls (30 or so miles) on it, that I'm gonna see how it feels on an 80 or so miler this weekend, weather permitting.

We expect and beg for step by step updates on the Tradewinds build. I am currently getting a cheap DF tandem setup to see if my spouse is capable and willing to ride a tandem and if we find that she fills both criteria I expect to build a tradewinds too so pleeeeeese keep us posted. My other build will be a Meridian for those solo rides.

[ditz]

How was the 80 mile ride, mkane? Maybe you have been too busy to make the ride yet.

[mkane53]

How was the 80 mile ride, mkane? Maybe you have been too busy to make the ride yet.

Thanks for asking. It was great!

It was a shade over 80, about 83 I think when it was all said and done. I've made the ride before on my touring bike - a really nice, old Cannondale T-1000 a number of times. On the C-dale I'm totally gassed when I get home - not so much my legs as my neck and shoulders ... and I'm ready to get off the seat.

This time no neck pain, hand pain, no butt discomfort ... even my legs felt fresher. The Meridian rode and handled like a champ the entire way. I averaged about 13 mph for the ride. The one thing I did get was a twinge of right knee pain ... and I thought I was spinning pretty fast and not pushing very hard. But evidently not - actually it was more across the top of the knee than down IN the knee which I've run into before.

I had the day-panniers strapped to the back with tools, extra water, etc and I will say that about 65 miles into it, the whole rig started to feel pretty heavy going up hills - and against the wind on the way back which also didn't help.

But all in all, it was an Excellent outing. Did another 25 or so miles on the following Day - last Sunday.

I've got to see how well it handles with loaded panniers; cause I have a multi-day, camping ride planned and I'd sort of like to ride the meridian; probably make a quick overnight within the next couple of weeks just to field test and then, if all is well head out for a week or so.

[trikeman]

Nice report Mike. We mostly talk here about building and there are far too few ride reports posted, especially long ride reports. You say you averaged about 13 mph over the 80 miles. What would you say your average speed would have been on your Cannondale?

They say it takes some time for the muscles to get used to a bent.

Larry

[TheKid]

You might want to try shorter cranks for the knee pain. On the advice of more experienced riders, I put shorter cranks on the Meridian and the tadpole, and it alleviated the knee pain completely.

[mkane53]

Nice report Mike. We mostly talk here about building and there are far too few ride reports posted, especially long ride reports. You say you averaged about 13 mph over the 80 miles. What would you say your average speed would have been on your Cannondale?

They say it takes some time for the muscles to get used to a bent.

Larry


Thanks Larry. On the Cannondale I probably average about the same over that distance, maybe a little slower but not much. The REAL difference is that when I've done 80 miles on the Cannondale I feel like I've dragged myself around the countryside for 80 miles. When I got off the Meridian, my legs didn't even feel tired and my upper body was completely relaxed and comfortable. I felt like I do after 20 or 30 miles on an upright.

There's no doubt in my mind I could have averaged a higher speed; but I'm still getting used to this bike and try not to run out of gas out in the middle of nowhere.

I love building and I love riding. It never ceases to amaze me how efficiently and quickly I can get places on a bicycle; the fact that I built the magic carpet myself just adds another layer of wonder to the mix.

[n9viw]

I can't wait to build my Meri... fixing up the house is still taking all my time, evenings and weekends.

I've been averaging 17mph on my streeted C'dale M500, with long stretches around 20mph and peaks up above 25! On a tailwinded downhill, I actually broke 30mph, but I was all spun out, physically and mechanically. If I take my rack bag and panniers off, it improves slightly... I can't wait to see what'll happen when it's all aerodynamic and low to the ground! :D

[mkane53]

You know Kid, that's an excellent notion. Bike Nashbar has a 160 Triple for $7.49 ... Heck, it'll cost more to ship it than it does to buy it. Think I'll jump over there and grab one (or two).

[mkane53]

Dang Nick, that's a righteous average especially if you're loaded up. You'll probably FLY on a Meridian.

You're in my neck of the woods. I'm in Lisle; My best average - loaded up with 50 pounds of camping gear on my C'dale is about 13.5 mph - down to Starved Rock and back - about 130 miles (with overnight stay obvoiusly). I expect I should be able to do that - plus or minus - on the Meridian. But it's gonna be a lot easier miles and not so exhausted when I get there.

Average speed is actually secondary to me. If you're gonna spend 8 hours a day in the saddle (or seat), for a couple of days - or for a week - then comfort becomes primary. I'll gladly spend an extra hour riding if I'm comfortable doing it; better yet would be comfort AND increased speed; once I get my recumbent legs, maybe that'll happen. That'd be great.

[TheKid]

Wow. These are the same ones posted elsewhere for 10 bucks. I could use a set of 28-38-48 because I shortened mine too much. I went to 130mm, which really decreases leverage. I know 160's are too long for me, and the 140's I'm using now seem to be good. I'm going to try the cranks I just shortened to 150mm, and a set of 145's. The 150's are geared a bit low for the tadpole, and the 145's are geared a bit too high.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600081&subcategory=60001031&brand=&sku=20985&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20ATB%20Cranks

[ditz]

Thanks for the report. It sounds like you like the Meridian just fine since you are planning an extended trip. I would think that the 13mph average is pretty good for 83 miles.