Foxy Lady
A few words on a short lived love affair…
In my life I have an overwhelming amount of errands to run, cafes and restaurants to eat at and pubs to visit. This sort of outrageous lifestyle requires a bicycle which one does not need to be too precious about, a bike that can be safely locked up around the place without turning too many heads. It is because of this that I built the Fox…
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dqy94tfaj/image/upload/v1708614587/blog/foxy-lady/i1taloo0sjoc6kdyrbta.jpg)
A bike that I was incredibly precious about and one that turned the head of almost everybody…
The frame was a 1987 Muddy Fox Courier, a beautiful lugged number made of Tange tubing.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dqy94tfaj/image/upload/v1708614588/blog/foxy-lady/jjsdezgvmlxoxekhraws.jpg)
The frame originally belonged to my friend and fellow ‘Grass up the Middle’ green laner Nick and was his first mountain bike way back when. I saved it from the basement and it enjoyed a glorious and graceful resurrection before ascending to the heavens one final time…
Before the Fox was cruelly ripped from my grasp we shared some wonderful moments together.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dqy94tfaj/image/upload/v1708614589/blog/foxy-lady/zyqznlmdxqucshcqizbc.jpg)
The basket I fitted on the front provided ample carrying capacity for household goods and snacks alike.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dqy94tfaj/image/upload/v1708614589/blog/foxy-lady/vpgwv52159xxzkilgxax.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dqy94tfaj/image/upload/v1708614592/blog/foxy-lady/xexmex8gdmjy4cqrnxpw.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dqy94tfaj/image/upload/v1708614594/blog/foxy-lady/lt61b8zoyucx1o1xspks.jpg)
The MKS Grip King pedals by Rivendell made riding in flip flops possible (It’s wonderful, I’d recommend it to anyone)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dqy94tfaj/image/upload/v1708614596/blog/foxy-lady/gdrz4wpo7wl7vla7e8nm.jpg)
The sweptback handlebar, Newbaums cloth tape and tall Nitto stem made the position comfy and the handling controlled.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dqy94tfaj/image/upload/v1708614597/blog/foxy-lady/ekcieqajw9eljangebyh.jpg)
Schwalbe Fat Frank 2.35” tires made for a squishy yet fast rolling ride (likened to riding on two rubber pool rings by a friend of mine).
The bike was perfect but alas, t’was not to be. On a dark Wednesday evening I was hit at speed head-on by a rogue wooden bench.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dqy94tfaj/image/upload/v1708614598/blog/foxy-lady/vp2rrayf1rgtx5drpkae.jpg)
I was sent hurtling through the air like a graceful swallow, but I hit the ground like a sack of spuds. I was left with a smashed face and possibly a cracked rib or two. However a cracked rib and a grazed face can heal. A bent fork and a cracked frame cannot.
So there I was, staring at the cracked and twisted corpse of a lovely bike that I’d owned for just over a week, not wanting to believe that it was gone and crapping myself about telling Nick (who was unbelievably cool about it, of course!) In the meantime, I can dwell in the hope of a second coming.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dqy94tfaj/image/upload/v1708614600/blog/foxy-lady/ujtjg7pa5hymbilsk9nm.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dqy94tfaj/image/upload/v1708614601/blog/foxy-lady/iuxdszgio5swrjdfaypr.jpg)
Which I feel is just around the corner…
Build List
- Frame & Forks: 1987 Muddy Fox Courier, Tange MTB Steel Tubing (Lugged)
- Wheels and Tires: Shimano DH-3N31 dynamo hub on Rigida 26” rim (front) Quando generic screw mount hub on Rigida rim (rear). Schwalbe Fat Frank 26 x 2.35 front and rear.
- Gearing: Vintage Sugino Triple crankset, shimano 7 speed freewheel block, Shimano Deore MT62 rear mech, Old Suntour front mech, Shimano bar end friction shifters.
- Braking: Vintage Dia Compe 983 cantis, shimano v brake levers.
- Finishing Kit: Nitto Technomic tall stem, cheap ebay bars (albatross copies), Newbaums cloth tape, generic headset and seatpost, Selle Italia Flite Titanium saddle, King Cage bottle cage.
- Racks: Brick Lane Bikes Rack and Basket combo.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dqy94tfaj/image/upload/v1708614586/blog/foxy-lady/ysaffz7lekwabtru95m5.jpg)
Words & Pictures - Charlie Hitchen