Univega Alpina "Billy"

I quickly found out why someone tossed it in a dumpster—the aluminum seatpost was fused solid inside the steel frame. After several failed attempts, I escalated to the nuclear option and dissolved it with sodium hydroxide. The paint didn’t survive the process, so I brought the bare frame to Pikes Powdercoat for a fresh hunter-green finish. A clean, understated look if I say so myself.

This was my first time building a bike from the frame up, and the learning curve was steep. I learned how to dial in stubborn cantilever brakes, cut brake and cable housing to the perfect length, and set up a derailleur from scratch. It was incredibly exciting to choose every component and watch the frame become a fully realized bicycle.

Today, it’s my most beloved bike. I ride it everywhere—around town, to work, to the grocery store. On the Billy Bonkers tires it feels effortless, like the bike just disappears beneath me as I zip around.