Mongoose Maurice fixed: the democratic build thread

I know a lot of people don't like the Maurice, but I need something solid to commute on while I build a 'proper' bike, and this has been doing me proud for the last couple of years.

That said, there's no excuse for it looking as it does now, so I'd like to hear people's suggestions for improvement; bear in mind the bike is used every day, but beyond that you can suggest anything you want. Rat build? Slave wannabee? I'll be putting the best suggestions into practice.

I'll start the list off myself:

1. Change that massive brick of a stem and sort the stem spacers out
   
2. Find a saddle that actually matches the colour scheme
   
3. Ditch that rear rim for something that doesn't make me vomit, fuckwit
   
   

On you go.

3 Attachments

1. Find a saddle that actually matches the colour scheme
   
   

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-spoon-saddle-with-cromo-rails-2011/

black/orange £15

Take that God-awful crank off, soak it in Nitro-Mors, then spray it any other colour

this could be gold, but can we let Gaston and scoble be the final abiters

or just paint the rear rim black.

And get those 'maurice' stickers off.

1. Change that massive brick of a stem and sort the stem spacers out
   
2. Find a saddle that actually matches the colour scheme (black/orange Charge - ordered)
   
3. Paint the rear rim black
   
4. Take that God-awful crank off, soak it in Nitro-Mors, then spray it any other colour
   
5. let Gaston and scoble be the final arbiters of the build
   
6. get those 'maurice' stickers off
   
   

Helpful input so far (feeling slightly nervous about number 5, though).
Any suggestions for the stem?

look ergostem

paint the front rim and chainring orange

Lovely, thank you for your input.

Flouro....flouro the fuck out of it.

1.BBQ paint

end of project

this could be gold

Best suggestion yet. Spray the whole thing (and yourself) gold while you save up to have it electroplated gold.

Any road-style cheap black stem, doesn't matter which (eg http://www.wiggle.co.uk/deda-logo-road-stem/) will be a huge improvement.

Colour ALL the orange bits black (except maybe the headset).

Good choice on the new saddle.

And then it will be fine. I would chuck some compact drops (eg Bontrager SSC - VRC) and road brake levers (eg http://velosolo.co.uk/tektro100.html) on it, and then you'd have a nice understated road fixed.

And if you ride it everyday, surely you'd want mudguards?

Also I vote that you put a bottle cage on it and go for longer rides.

colour all the black bits orange

with felt tips!!!

no, just let it rust

I coloured my old silver cranks black with permanent marker

Get it in the bin

harsh

but true

so if enough of us say bin it, will the democratic process win?

get it in the bin

bin

3 bins so far, bin it to win it

You can never truly own something unless you're able to dispose of it.