Vintage Kent Rollin' Thunder

[JTSpeedDemon]

Well, I got another project!

If you remember my top secret Echo leaf blower, this is essentially under the same conditions. Secret.
Except I gave back Darrell the blower, since it's just too many projects, and it still needs parts and won't be very useful.


So in short, I got this late 80s/early 90s Kent Rollin' Thunder 10 speed/overdrive! For only $5!!
From Darrell, obviously.

The tires actually still hold air!


I got it missing the pedals an seat, but I found that my cheapo Schwinn BMX pedals and seat fit it!
So after slapping those on, plus lubing/adjusting things, I got to ride it today!!

It's the old-school style thumb shifters, where you have to "feel" for every gear. It's an awesome feeling, especially compared to a sequential transmission bike.

Just the multiple speeds alone make it way easier to ride than my BMX, and in the higher gears, it can PULL from a really high speed!!
The brakes still need some tweaking, but this was a really nice SCORE!!

And man, the graphics are COOL!

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Oh yeah, if you haven't ridden a full manual bike before, it takes awhile to learn how to shift!
But once you do, MAN is it cool!

Just like a car with a manual!

 

[Karts of Kaos]

you should put a bike engine on it

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Nah, I intend to use it as a reliable around town bike. An engine's too expensive and complicated, not to mention dangerous and illegal.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Well, the secret's out! My whole family now knows!

Luckily my dad's happy about it!

 

[J.S.@SMS]

What do you mean by "full manual?" The only thing that's different about it is that it has thumb shifters. And last time I checked every bike that has multiple speeds is a sequential setup (you can't go from 1st to 3rd without hitting 2nd).

But Kent's are pretty good bikes. I have one if the GMC Denali road bikes that's made by them. It's an awesome bike for the price. It's a 21 speed, steel frame road bike that's sold by walmart, so nothing fancy. I got the 25" frame, which was $156 and some change. The thing's been more reliable than my $500 Trek.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Should have phrased more carefully!

Don't really know to phrase it, but that's not what I meant.