Green Machine

The long awaited pictures…at least I’ve been waiting for them. It’s taken some time (well worth it) to get the Schwinn back up and running, but it is now complete! Mom & Dad, what do you think (click on the pictures to get an enlarged photo)?!? You saved it for me, and it’s still rolling.

My parents saved all of our childhood bikes and theirs. Their old Schwinns, my sister’s banana seat yellow bike, and my brother’s funky Schwinn all still sit, gathering cobwebs, in the family’s barn. My Collegiate 3, however, has had the dust blown off, a good spit shine, some brand new smoking wheels, and a smaller cog up front (the old one had 46 teeth). It is ready to ROLL! Everything is original except the wheels and the guts of the hub (I managed to break off some teeth in there!). The original wheels had to be replaced. My old/original tires suffered from dry rot, and I couldn’t find a new set that would stay on the rims.

Here’s the original:

My cruiser is suuuhhhhweeet, thanks to BikeWorks in Albuquerque. Dan Lucero and Dan Swinton are two of the owners (Charlie is the 3rd) at this shop. Swinton gave my bike some serious love as he cleaned it, laced up two superb pieces of art, and rebuilt the rear hub after Lucero found someone with some old Schwinn parts to spare.

I’ve known Dan & Dan for over 5 years now. I first met them when they worked at Fat Tire Cycles. They were supporters of our Save Otero trails push (which still continues on today) and showed up for the original ride to the Fire Tower before Kirtland Air Force Base shut it down to the public.

These two are still bike icons in Albuquerque and now run their own show. It’s great to see these guys doing well in their new shop! If you haven’t stopped by, it’s definitely worth the visit. You’ll get excellent bike service, a selection of bikes for the true bike connoisseurs, and a great selection of cycling gear and clothing. Oh, and if you’re extra nice to the shop guys, you get a beer too.

I can’t wait to ride the Iron Horse Cruiser Crit in May; the Schwinn will get a workout!