Bike 12: Pinarello

I was out and about for a short time today.  I was walking quickly down Congress Street and passed MECA when out of the corner of my eye I spy a black carbon fiber fork with that great little club symbol ♣;Colnago. I see the worn blue frame with PINARELLO in white lettering.  'Woah-ho-hoah 'I think I wanna see this one.  I quickly grabbed a photo and took peek at it.  

This thing could be real sweet.  However, the bars and stem look horrible.  The carbon fork doesn't seem to match well with the steel frame and the spoke card is cliche. 

 I think Ill keep an eye out for this one on craigslist because the chances are good that a 19 year old art student will need money for beer and pot.

Bike 11: Homemade

Sitting out at lunch the other day in front of the Public Market this guy comes rolling along on this homemade recumbent trike with electric assist.  He parked locked it up and walked off before I got a chance to talk to him. 

It's pretty cool but all the metal makes me think that without the electric assit this thing  is heavy and would be hard as fuck to pedal up hill.

-ride on.

Bike 9: Schwinn Sports Tourer

I finally had my camera with me when I spotted this post worth rig.

LOCATION: Monument Square, in front of Zahrras

BIKE: Schwinn Sports Tourer.

COMMENTS:  This thing is totaly set up for the urban environment of Portland. A classic milk crate trunk mounted on to the rear rack, a bell, a mirror, kick stand, light mount and fenders all set this up nicely for trips around town. 

It is just ugly enough to not get stolen (hence the cheap 4-digit cable lock) but has enough upgrades to likely keep it a smooth riding bike. The new(ish) front rim, an Alex DA16 and a schwinn springer seat were two things I liked the most. The seat post does not look original but the triple chain ring does. All in all a good in town winter beater.

Bike 8: SE...twice

I took a picture today of this fair looking SE single speed.  It had a flip-flop hub and was respectfully on the fixed side.  The chain was slightly rusted and definitely needed some chain oil and a scrub down.  The bull horn bars are cool. The alexa rims, tektro breaks and levers are stock.   The track style rear drop outs are excellent. So, I got in and opened up the pics and realized that I had taken a pic of this bike only three months ago.

The seat is totally different, perhaps for comfort reasons. The sheath on the top tub pad is gone,sadly. A water bottle cage and fenders have been added. The glass jar filling in for a water bottle has GOT to be replaced.  Dude, if you hit a bump and that thing jumps out...glass all over the place; And it will probably be in a bike lane where another rider could flat from your glass; And you yourself could get cut from glass in a crash. 

The owner is pretty obviously a local commuter/rider and seems to be riding it hard and putting it away wet. 

Bike 7: Torker U-District

Not much to say about this one, plus I dont have much time to write today.

I saw this single speed bike  locked up near Free Street. I have never heard of Torker. The Alex rims and matte black paint were the notables on this machine.  The front brake had been removed  and the cable wrapped around the bars.  It looks like a some what sketchy set up but may just be temporary until a repair can be made.

Bike 5: Jamis

Location:  Exchange St. area, Tommy's Park

Bike: Jamis Earth Cruiser

Comments:  A chill, comfortable looking bike that is probably owned by a girl (note basket).

Bike 4: Schwinn Suburan

Location: corner of Milk and Exchange Street

Bike:  stock, late 70's (~77) Schwinn Suburban

Comments:  A well used bike that just needs a good cleaning.

Bike 3: Merckx

This is a bike I have spotted in the past with the thoughts of, 'what a sweet frame to make into a single speed.'  I was not able to track down the owner, but Ill presume it is a female, based on the frame size (small-ish)

Location: Monument Square

Bike: Eddy Merckx -Thomspon.

Comments: The red Velocity rims match the red of the frame nicely.  BRC carbon fork,  black Chris King headset up to Cenelli stem all mated to a shorty Easton handle bars is pretty sweet.  The gold anodized cranks were a bit of a clash as far as color scheme goes, but I'm sure they function just fine. The saddle was a well worn brown leather Brooks.

Overall a nice bike of portland.  If you own this bike please leave a comment.

Bike 2: Winsdor

Adam went zinging past me on his fixed gear bike this afternoon.  The orange Velocity rims caught my eye right away.  Luckily for me he stopped in front of the Nick and I was able to catch up with him for a photo op.

Location: Temple Street. In front of the Nickelodeon.

Bike:  The frame is by Winsdor.  Rims are Velocity, which Adam laced up to a high flange hub up front. I didnt get a look at the rear hub.  I beauty Chris King headset, anodized blue and nice Salsa stem.  The white chain turning the 46x15 rings.

Comments:  Another nice fixie with a color scheme appropriate for fall. 

-Thanks Adam.

Bike 1: Raleigh Competition

Margret was nice enough to allow me to interrupt her carbo-loading lunch and talk to me about her carbon fiber Raleigh.  She was getting ready for a ride on this beautiful afternoon.

Location: Monument Square

Bike: carbon fiber Raleigh Competition.

Comments: Shiamano 105 componets, that she plans to upgrade because she doesn't like em too much.  I think there were some sora or tiagra derailleurs, i didn't look too closely. (Hey this is the first post, cut me some slack. haha).  The black of the c.f. and the orange around the 'lugs' combined with the  retrograpics and label give it a good look.  

I asked how she liked riding a c.f. bike.

"Its stiff and it pops. But its light."

-Thank You Margret.

Welcome to Bikes of Portland

Bikes of Portland is a blog dedicated to highlighting all the bicycles that I see on the streets of Portland, Maine each week.

A brief description of each bike, the location and ,if the owner is available and willing, a short interview about each bike and its owner will be featured.

I hope you enjoy.