About alexkostelnik

Seattle's Metal Farmer

Recent posts

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  How much is a bike tune up?

  1 0 at 20/20 we can usually make a huge difference for $40 - $50, unless domething's really messed up! alexkostelnik answered in Bicycles 3 months ago Answer, comment & read 2 more answers »

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  Where can I get my bike frame repaired?

  2 0 if it is repairable, the venerable Haulin' Colin can fix it. Colin has a website: www.haulincolin.com ..and is based in Georgetown. Colin is a friendly, expert welder, a bicycle specialist, and less expensive brazer than a formal bike shop would be. alexkostelnik answered in Bicycles 8 months ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

• Comment on alexkostelnik's answer…

  0 0 OK well it's not a fancy Rdleigh, but I can personally attest that these frames do indeed ride well. The top tubes tend to run a tad short on the larger models, but I love my old Raleigh. alexkostelnik commented 9 months ago

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  Is it worth it to buy new?

  2 0 Hello NatL Do you think the frame looks really cool? If so, it's definitely worth fixing up. Is it a full or partial 531 tubing frame? Either one rides really well. Does it have a "Carlton" sticker on the seat tube? I have NOS Raleigh thread headsets in stock at my shop 20/20 Cycle. Also the BB can be tapped- more like chased- out to a clean usable English thread good for all modern Bottom Brackets. Vintage bikes aren't for everyone, but they are easily repaired back to like-new condition if desired. Cheers! -Alex Kostelnik 20/20 Cycle alexkostelnik answered in Bicycles 9 months ago Answer, comment & read 2 more answers »

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  I'd like to make a donation to an organization that will advocate to support better bicycle infrastructure in Seattle. Which is the best org?

  0 0 The Bikery. They are independent, free-thinking, low-fi, and open and flexible to the community. alexkostelnik answered in Bicycles 10 months ago Answer, comment & read 5 more answers »

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  Does this bike have a bent fork?

  1 0 It sure looks funny. What a rake. The thing is, usually when a bike lands back on the ground real hard from a wheelie- a common fork bender- it bends right up at the crown. It's hard to get it to bend from the middle out to the end, as this picture seems to illustrate. Basic law of the fulcrum. There are crazy rake jobs out there, though, and this may be an example of just that. Your comparison pictures, from the catalogs, are not the same model bike so the make a moot point. Ride it- does it dive to one side or the other when riding "no-hands"? if so your fork is bent. alexkostelnik answered in Bicycles 11 months ago Answer, comment & read 2 more answers »

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  What kind of lock do I need?

  2 0 Cables are easy to cut with a hand held, pocket sized tool. U-locks are a much bigger pain in the ass to open once they've been locked. My favorite combination is a mini (Will actually fit in your back pocket) U-Lock and a four foot cable, used together. The cable goes through each wheel and up to the U-Lock, which locks the two loops of the cable AND THE FRAME to a bike stand. Never use the U-Lock as a "padlock" - always use it both to lock the frame to a bike stand and to also lock the cable which is securing your wheels. When you use BOTH the U-Lock and the cable you have a system that is super versatile and portable. That means you're more likely to bring it along. Habit is paramount. Never leave a bike outside, locked up, over night. Curtains. alexkostelnik answered in Bicycles 11 months ago Answer, comment & read 7 more answers »

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  Where can I get my trusty 10 speed serviced without a kid behind the counter giving me an overdose of attitude?

  4 1 At my shop, 20/20 Cycle, we specialize in older vintage bikes. I have one fast rule regarding putting down other people's bikes- Everyone loves their own special bike. No-one can tell you you're wrong! I've worked in many a shop where the mechanic was super hopped up on coffee and made put-downs about customer's bikes with a rapid fire staccato. Seen it a million times. Always a mistake. Remember- if you truly like or even love your bike, it's ALWAYS worth fixing it up. If there are things you always figured could be improved, then that's a different matter! alexkostelnik answered in Bicycles 11 months ago Answer, comment & read 5 more answers »

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  What are the top 3 tips for riding a bike in the city, if you're new to this whole "biking" deal?

  4 0 Get to know your bike- it's personality. It's quirks, etc. Especially how it shifts and brakes. How it feels. Then get right in there with the cars, get a sense of the rhythm of being part of your city's traffic. Allow yourself time to soak all of this up- it's a beautiful thing riding in the city- my favorite place to ride in fact- so don't let it scare you off at first- there's magic in developing your own style. alexkostelnik answered in Bicycles 11 months ago Answer, comment & read 10 more answers »

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  How often should I replace my helmet?

  2 0 Replace your helmet when it looks boring or ugly, too. If you don't like it anymore you won't be as inclined to wear it.. and you know where THAT leads! alexkostelnik answered in Bicycles 11 months ago Answer, comment & read 4 more answers »

• See all of my 0 Questions , 21 Answers and 1 Comment