Roadmaster Trailmate MTB - Workshop Stool! - March 2012
Roadmaster Trailmate 15 Speed Mountain Bike - 1989
A good friend of mine brought his bike over to give it the once over. It's from 1989 and is a very tough steel framed (heavy) bike. I tried to convince him time and time again over the years to get a new bike and put this one out out for council clean-up as the brakes were shot, the frame covered in surface rust, the pedals, bottom bracket and headset were rough and their bearings were gone. The rear wheel was bent and the seatpost was rusted too. He was so attached to it though. So we decided to try and refurbish it without breaking the bank balance too much. So more parts would have to be sourced. After awhile though even he realised that he would need a better bike. We checked out a few bike shops and in the end he managed to score a practically new 2010 Giant Upland SE MTB for AUD$230. It's normally $399 new!!!
The New Bike - Giant Upland SE Mountain Bike
This is what he bought. Unwanted gift, ridden around the block once and kept indoors for the rest of the time. Bought for $370 and sold to my mate 12 months later for $230! Brilliant bike. We took it for a spin last night. Gears shift very smoothly and the front adjustable shocks are smooth. The seat is very comfortable and over all it is a good all round bike for everything. Giant do make good mountain bikes. This picture is from the manufacturer's page but I didn't bother taking one of the actual bike as they are identical, in identical condition too! What a score!
Starting Point
So how will this turn into a stool? Well see the pictures below of the bike and the condition that it is currently in. With all the bumps and bruises and also after taking some measurements I could not use this frame to build another bike. Was going to make a single speed for my cousin. But the work involved would have included a new fork, fixing up the damaged tubing too. So it is getting scrapped, but not before taking a hacksaw to it! I am currently building a single speed road bike #2 so this stool may come in handy. Will have to get started asap!
Completed!
Well, I finally had about 15 minutes to kill over the weekend. the frame was sitting there, so I thought "why not!". Took a hacksaw to it. Chopped off the top tube, down tube, brake caliper mount/brace, and spread the forks by standing one one and pulling the other up. Steel is easier to bend. Had to be careful not to bend it too much. After a bit of hammering and a couple of re-tries I did it. Attached the original seat post, seat clamp, bolt and seat back on. Had to mount the clamp the other way to allow the seat to face backwards. The best part is that this stool can be adjusted for height and the seat can also be moved around in any direction, tilted up/down or a full 360 degrees! Glad I did my bit to recycle. Now I've got a seat to use while working on my bikes, working at the bench or just for taking a break. May try to find a second hand women's seat to use as it is a bit wider. I'm not going to paint it or sand it as it is just going to kick around in the garage. Plus it still retains it's original Roadmaster stickers.
A Bit of Luxury Added!
I've added a Brooks vinyl white spring saddle and used the black Roadmaster seat for the Raleigh Twenty. I don't like the wite and it is abit dirty and the brooks label is falling off. The seat is wide though, and super comfortable. I also added an old Orbea 90mm stem that I had lying around. One of the bolt holes have been threaded and so does not catch anymore when the bolt is inserted through. Three of the four bolts are holding it onto the frame which seems to be good enough to use now as a handle for the stool!
Update on the Giant - 2/11/13
Well Vij has been riding around on the Giant for close to 8 months now. I've ridden it too and it is a smooth bike. The seat is super comfortable too. Not sure what the brand is but I'd love to get one! We meet up every Saturday morning 6am (unless one of us forgets!) and go for a ride when he comes to my place. If we go to his area then we go for a run and then a ride. This time though I was just getting over a bad gastro bug, so didn't want to push myself too much. So we just did an easy ride. Always great getting up early for a ride, the world is such a different place at that time of day.