Lost and Confused...

Since last summer I slowly got a bike together,

it took a while with my limited budget, but finally got it perfect.

It by far exceeded my expectations, being a humble old raleigh bodged into a fixed.

It really ended up absolutley perfect, for the past month I have enjoyed riding it so much, it really became part of my life (sob.. )

I really loved the lofty skinny black frame, but with nice sharp racy handling.

Everything down to the purple straps and gold brake, accented it perfectly too.

I was looking foward to a summer of riding it everywhere and furthering my cycling endeavours and generally getting fit & stuff by riding this bike.

I really thought I would have it forever.

A few days ago however, I notice the chain tension keeps slackening slightly,

I adjust my wheel a few times, and even draw a coloured circle around the wheel nut to make sure it isnt slipping.

It still goes loose, so I just accept that the chain must have stretched and plan to take a link out eventually if it gets bad.

I still keep riding the bike as much as ever.

Riding faster and more boldy down steep hills, and traffic.

For the first time Im riding a bike like a car, overtaking and using lanes etc.

Even come close to doing backward circles..

During the past week however I notice my bike making creaking noises,

I carefully check the bike over many times and can find nothing so I continue riding harder thinking it must be what a "worn in" bike sounds like!

It gets louder, so I think my cones might be loose so I finally get ready to re adjust everything yesterday.

I check the wheel, and im surprised to find its perfect like I left it.

A little confused, I spend an hour looking for some old chain tensioners so I can finally sort out chain.

FInd them, then find rivet extractor.

About to get to work, about to undo the wheel.

then....

OH FUCK!!!

I see a big snap in the driveside dropout!

its too much to take in, I damn broke my bike.

I "heart" my bike, how can it be dead?

Im just left there all confused with my tools and other bikes out, I even consider switching all the parts to a 60's vintage towny bike I have.

Several hours later I realise its all ridicoulous and put it all away.

Im left rather heartbroken, at the loss of my first "grown up bike"

Today, im just confused.

My day usually starts & ends with riding it. WIth more riding in between.

I feel lost.

Is it a sensible idea to try and re-weld it?

I should I leave it lie, as an old racer would never hack it as a street bike anyway?

I really really dont want to spend all my money on an off - the - peg.

I procrastinate ssssooo much when buying anything, but something as important as a bike Itll stress me to death trying to hunt something down that I can afford.

In the meantime, like I said - I really do not know what to do with myself.

I mean, I have to be at uni right now. But what am I suppossed to ride there, everything feels so wrong....

I can understand your pain..
http://www.thehippy.net/nucleus/index.php?itemid=664

But it can be healed..
http://thehippy.net/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=166

i have an old raleigh frame i can sell you prety cheap. It looks very similar to the one you have. What size you after? i think mine is a about 57cm

I will be able to send you some pics tonight if your interested.

Shit luck but look at this way - as hippy points out it can be sorted (Witcomb really know their stuff, have been doing it for donkey's years) and if the whole dropout had failed while at speed it could have been nasty. She'll ride again.

that's a really nice bike, there's a company that specialised in re-welding the rear dropout for track one, I don't know the web address but it's mentioned a couple time here, so search for it, it should be here.

be glad that it's steel, best metal for cycling.

This might be handy if you decide to replace the dropouts completely:

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread4117.html

http://www.witcombcycles.co.uk/ did my repair.

Just one of the beauties of Steel - Easy to fix.