So I bought this bike for $20..........

Last year I had the bright idea to start riding my bike more for my health. After riding my full suspension mountain bike on the streets for some time, I decided that a road bike would be much better suited to my needs. One day I stopped by a neighborhood bike peddler and bought a run-down 10 speed bike for $20.00. Being that it was a Giant Quasar, and fairly light, I thought it was a fine deal. Sure it needed some work, but I thought it was almost ready to ride. After a few adjustments and some air in the tires, I go for a ride. I feel a wobble. The wobble continues. I stop and check the wheels. One is full of rust(original steel wheels), and the other is way out of true. Dang.

My true tinkering self takes over. I decide to strip it down and rebuild it into something better. I soon have a slough of parts ordered online(mostly orange), and begin scouring eBay and Craigslist for new wheels. I tore the bike down, sand the frame and fork, then spray them a metallic black. My parts begin trickling in, and I eventually find a set of wheels. I had a paltry $150.00 invested in this bike. When I bought the bike it had already been stripped of both derailleurs, and was a single speed. The new wheel set happened to be set up for a freewheel or a fixed gear setup. I had never ridden fixed, but decided I would try it someday.

One lucky day it was complete. I quickly threw on the last piece, took the picture to the right, (then adjusted the seat) and rode the bike a solid 3.5 miles as a fixed gear. That ride was oddly a liberating ride. I rode fixed and never gone back. The bike did not have brakes yet, no bar-tape, and a stance I was not used to. I rode unable to coast, and the only means of slowing was the use of my legs, but I was going fast and riding like a carefree kid again. That short ride re-ignited my passion in bikes and I have not stopped riding or building. All of a sudden I was that 13 year old kid, and all I wanted to do was ride.

That bike is now just a frame hanging in my garage, with only one part surviving on my current build, but I have decided, that was the best $20 I have ever spent.