Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

http://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2014/10/noir-et-rouge.html


http://www.cxmagazine.com/mechanical-monday-upgrade-compressionless-brake-housing

Finally!

You might be right.

I kind of want a 'do it all' geared bike that I can stick mudguards and a rack on, ride to work on roads, through Prestwich Clough, canal paths etc, all year round.

But then again I could get a road bike with mudguard mounts for daily commuting and weekend rides, and use the pomp for the off road stuff.

Just had a go on this which was fun.

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Fwiw I road my to ride my Giant TCR composite with 23mm tyres up the canal path from Finsbury Park to Epping Forest plenty of times. Not ideal, but my point is I think people can go a bit ott on gravel canal-path-racers sometimes. It's a bit like the "bomb/bullet-proof" fixeh phase of '08.

Obviously it depends where your preference lies, but I'd rather keep something faster feeling and road orientated and then use the pomp (or a cheap mtb) for more off road stuff. So unless you've got a real reason to need something really tough with massive clearances I'd say a road bike that will take 'guards and 28mm tyres would be better.... Maybe with a different set of wheels / tyres.

Mmm I'm starting to think that too, been looking at Genesis Equilibrium. That seems to fit the bill, and then I can stick some knobblies on the Pompino and use that for off road.

If I was you I'd go budget weenie. Kalloy uno, Novatec SL, Kinlin etc. Given you already have steel and alu. The placebo effect that a light bike has on you is incredible. Options get very limited with C2W. BUT you can get groupset, wheels and everything else on C2W and get FM066 or something; otherwise something like Hoy Sa Calobra 03 or Dolomite .. the benefit of dolomite is dedicated mudguard mounts but there there is always PDW.

Dolomite looks pretty good for the money, Dolomite Six comes with 105 groupset (apart from brakes)

I might pop in to Evans and see if I can have a go of one.

What size you after? I have equilibrium 853 in 54cm size, for sale, complete bike or frame n fork. In classifieds. Pm me for pics if you're interested.

Kajak Customs

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Do you accept cyclescheme vouchers?

As much as I'd like to buy that I have no cash.

OMG, didn't realise Kajak made @Todd's Shop14 polo bike, not Lee Cooper...

http://www.kajakcustom.com/foto/foto/todd%20(8).jpg

Yeah Kamal the builder used to be head mechanic at 14 before moving back to Poland

Unfortunately no. If you know a friendly/cunning lbs they could buy my bike and sell onto you through cyclescheme. Clutching at straws?

@JB and @Sumo have both got identical bikes because of that :P

Also the frame needs long drop brakes hence Tektro I think. If only Canyon/Rose accepted C2W ..

You could always get a 0% credit card and direct debit it; good for credit history too.

More Straggler:

http://cyclesinlife.com/new-bike-day-surly-straggler-custom/

Thats the nicest yet i reckon

Definitely a very tidy build.

good internet bike 7/10

Rear racks are just not functional. The weight distribution is shit.

It's also a weird fit, as if the bike is too long for the individual.

Realised I never show my winter fixed on here, Genesis Flyer with similar geometry to the Equilibrium, Phil Wood laced to weak ass Velocity A23 (rims is already a little worn) with conti grand sport race 25mm tyres, a proper bikepack style framebag as Carradice saddlebag felt like absolute shit on it, great thing about it is that you only notice the extra weight when you carry the bike up the stairs, 45/18 ratios (67GI), and cheap carbon SMP saddle, ridiculously comfortable, and long ass SKS with Marathon Pluses on both end as mudflap.

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It's fuckin lovely

L'Esperance Rando to replace that orange Vaya (here's the owner's Instagram)

Some nice details, click through images for source/more...

Nice, been commuting with a frame bag for the last week too. Would be ideal if I didn't have to remove and refit it every day when locking up.