Bike Shop Owner’s Steel Bike Collection: Renovate, Replace, or Remove? | Part 2

Sooooo…..what I heard is basically you’re keeping all of them? I would too! 😊

Shame about the bb on the rb-t. Sell that one. Also the XO-4 since you already have the X0-1 and 1>4. I totally understand having many bikes though.

It seems like that beautiful Tanglefoot does what most of the other bikes do, but in a modern package. I empathize, though—I have a Mongoose ATB and as much as I say I’m going to let go of it, I never quite have the willpower to. It’s just so cool.

that Tanglefoot looks pretty unique and badass....you should hang on to it...

More cool bikes, I would probably sell 4 of the five and have a custom steel touring bike built, the. Do her up for prom like the rest of your collection. I waiting for my Bilenky signature tour light in the next week or two. I could t be more excited

If it were me, I’d strip the parts off the RB-T, and put ‘em on the Pacer. Then I’d keep the Pacer and the Mongoose, and sell everything else. I’d also replace that Tanglefoot with a hardtail… even if I didn’t mountain bike much, a true hardtail MTB will way outperform that thing.

thanks for the tour...

I recently built up a Surly BC, in part because of your build series. I didn’t copy exactly how you did yours as my needs were different, I went with a bunch of new and old parts. But I decided to take it on proper mountain bike trails in Rotorua, and I’m genuinely surprised how well it rode, and unbelievably comfortable. Brooks saddle, 3” tyres and a Soma Dream hi rise bars are the stand out bits that make it work for me. A very underrated bike frame that does everything well.

Here’s my thoughts if I owned these collections….
Since I already got the best looking Bridgestones XO-1, I don’t need the other Bridgestones. I would convert the Surly Pacer to a classic with upside down Albatross handlebar. The Mongoose ATB looks good, I will keep it =) As for the Tanglefoot, I would set it up like a winter bike with some wide handlebar to match the bike. Basically the look of a bike is what excites me to go for a ride with it. =)

I think the first Bridgestone would be great with an internal 8 speed hub. Surly Pacer needs a frame pump! The RB-T is gorgeous. Too bad about the BB. Keep the Mongoose.

The Tanglefoot is too big for you but the bar height is great for your geometry. I hear you about a hardtail MTB as your dedicated mountain bike. You're probably better off re-homing the Moonshiner.

All bikes are tough to sell when we get familiar with them. That's why I'm giving you permission to sell. XD

Look forward to part 3. I hope there's some vintage/antiques. My favorite bike this year with the most miles clocked on it has been a 1961 Raleigh.