Inspired by this old thread – http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/rat-look – I thought I’d build a ratty pub/shop bike. Envisaged some kind of MTB/cruiser mutant from the bits I had, but got carried away and seem to have built a vaguely rat look MTB/hybrid cafe racer. Rides OK though and with a 40t ring coming from the ‘bay should be quick enough for pub runs.

That looks like a terribly uncomfortable riding position.

that’s beautiful that is 🙂

Every single thing about that bike is wrong.

I like it.

I take it your spine has a big hinge in the middle? Even in my flexible salad days that would have looked uncomfortable…

Has some MTB heritage – frame is an early 90s Peugeot steel MTB frame, and the forks are from a 1989 Muddy Fox Pathfinder.

Only had a quick spin on it so far. Not really uncomfortable, measured the reach and its only 20mm shorter than my Alpine. A bit more hunched obviously but didn’t seem horrendous. Will never be used for long rides anyway.

To be honest, it ended up being built a bit for the looks rather than the ride. To many yank car makeover shows on Discovery!

It should be rubbish but I love it.

Well you succeeded. That is one ratty bike 🙂

That’s pretty cool!

Needs mismatching tyres and odd grips for the proper uglies. The paint job however is awesome.

looks good

… but the pink cables are a crime against humanity 🙁

Your bricky was keen with the plastic inserts then…

That’s pimpable, start with an XTR chainset.

Think I agree with every comment!

Definitely got a bit of a love/hate going on myself with it.

wordnumb – Member
Needs mismatching tyres and odd grips for the proper uglies. The paint job however is awesome.

Cheers. Might not believe it, but the ‘paint job’ took two days. Layers of old paint and hammerite, rust, various bits of gaffer tape and stickers, paint stripper, drill and wire brush, blowtorch, sandpaper and finally a couple of coats of clear to seal it all. Was just going to strip it back to bare metal, but the art degree instinct took over and everything went a bit abstract expressionist on me.

I like that a lot.

That’s amazing! I want one now.

Do you not have a pair of cable cutters?

😈

Looks like it’s got 2 saddles, one on top of the other 😮

stevied – Member
Looks like it’s got 2 saddles, one on top of the other

Yeah, the saddle’s a bit of a failed experiment that still needs some work. Had an old 24seven saddle that had a separate base and pad, so tried to re-cover it with bits of old inner tube to fit the aesthetic of the bike. Got the cover a bit too thick underneath and it doesn’t sit quite right on the base anymore.

Jef Wachowchow – Member
I like that a lot.

everyone – Member
That’s amazing! I want one now.

Thanks. Half tempted while I have the time (school holidays) to source some old parts and build up another similar thing to stick on the ‘bay etc. See if there’s any small demand for ‘custom’ not-quite-rat bikes.