Just got off the phone with Maria...

[Mac]

What a nice gal you've got helping us out.

So the kit is ordered. Still trying to figure out exactly which bike to use as a donor. I've kinda boiled it down to one of 3:

The ever present 24" TiaraPro:
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=Next+TiaraPro&ic=16_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=4171

The Mongoose 26" Ladies' XR-75 Mountain Bike:
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=Mongoose+26%22+Ladies%27+XR-75&ic=16_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=4171

and the Mongoose 24" Ladies' XR-75 Mountain Bike:
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=24%22+Mongoose+XR-75+Girls%27+Bike&ic=16_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=4171

All 3 are available at the local Wallie World. I would like your opinions on the 3 if you would please. I've done the forum searches, read all I can find in the forums, checked out the pictures in the Yahoo group, and have been down to look at the bikes (but they were on the top racks, and they wouldn't pull them down for me to take a closer look, so I climbed around a bit until they told me to stop).

Looking forward to ya'lls advice in the matter.

Thanks,
Mac

 

[Doug Burton]

Among these...

... the Tiara Pro is the only one that really fits the bill.

The Kit will bolt on to the others, but the seat height will end up pretty tall.

If you are a tinkerer, the Tiara can be made to accept 26" wheels. It makes a pretty nice conversion.

There are bikes available used that work well. Gary Fisher Y-frames, the Trek Y-26 are two that come to mind.

And yes, in terms general and specific, Maria rocks.

Best,

Doug

 

[Mac]

Thanks Doug...

Thought that might be the case, but wanted....no, needed, to hear it from an expert.

The conkit should be here probably the beginning of the week, so I'll get a chance to go hit Denio's (A local and very large swap meet). There's always numerous bikes for sale and if it ain't raining, I can go alone on friday and piddle around as long as i want, muhaha.

Again, thanks Doug.

 

[Mac]

I'm going to the swap meet on friday, the 23rd....

to see what bikes might be available there. I'll take my tape measure with me to look for the right crossbar.

If I don't find a different bike, then I'm going to pick up the Tiara on my way home. If I get the Tiara, in your opinion, what other parts I will need to make a ridable bike? I guess I'm asking, based on the pics is, it appears I will need a new stem for the handle bars to raise them up...yes? Is there anything else I will need...adapters, etc? Maybe I can pick those up at the swap. Who knows.

Mac