Touring - A Bilenky Tourlite

My first, and quite probably only, custom bicycle. It was a wait, but I'm very, very happy. I didn't figure on Columbus Spirit tubing when I spec'd it, but it's quite nice and the brazing is flawless. I wanted a bicycle for every day riding and capable of light loaded touring. This is it.

Fresh from the builder. I turned the stem for this photo.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/Savaje/P1000436.jpg

This is it's configuration for riding. Eventually, racks will go on and some touring rims.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/Savaje/P1000468.jpg

At first I was thinking, "Hmmm, what's this?" Then I "got it" and it took my breath away. Beautful, beautiful bike. Also, a nice fender job.

beautiful bike

what size? how tall are you?

How much does a setup like that cost, if you don't mind me asking? I just checked their website, and their Travel Tour model 53cm measured exactly the same as the Jamis Aurora, which I found interesting. Obviously, the Bilenky is a much better and lighter frame...a 7lb difference in weight!

Do you have the Shimano 105 grouping and S&S couplers? Hard to tell from the pics, but I don't think I see couplers on there.

NeezyDeezy, it's a 55cm (or there abouts) or 21.65" from the center of the BB to the top of the seat tube and I'm 5'10" tall with a 32" inseam or 33 and something to the bone.

theranman, the cost was a less than some medium-buzz production bikes, Jamis's Zenith Pro has a MSRP for slightly more than I paid. I told him what my budget was and what I expected the bike to do and we worked it out from there. The shifters are Ultegra STI, rear deraillier is Deore XT SGS with an XT cassette, TA Vega rings and TA Carmina cranks. They still owe me a Thompson seat post (it hadn't come in when I went to pick it up). No couplers. He asked about that and while that might be nice for the future it wasn't important to me right now and I like the clean look w/no couplers. Funny you should mention the Aurora 'cause that's what I was going for before I had a brain fart and ordered this. I figured: I've never really bought anything for myself. I'm no longer married, the children have been to college and graduated and are earning good livings. And this year was my fiftyith, so I bought a present for myself. I'm not so sure I deserved it, but, heck.

And RalphP, thanks. I appreciate it. I debated the matter a few weeks before deciding to post it. I think they did a great job on it. The craftsmanship is excellent.

Congrats on a beautiful bike, foamy. We're close to the same age, and I would love to have a ride like that, but I live in the heart of Chi-town, and due to the fact that I plan on using the bike as a do-everything, I can't handle the theft risk. I lock my bike up EVERYWHERE I go, but I know that sooner or later, it'll eventually get stolen...they all do.

Enjoy that kickin' bike. :)

Ran

Thanks Ran. When I lived in Philly I saw a bike locked to a parking meter one day on the way into work. When I came out at lunch, it was just a frame and a rim w/tire. Some of those guys are amazing, not to mention brazen.

Argggh...scumbags they be, matey, but fortunately, the bike buzzards usually swoop down after midnight for their feeding.

Here in the city, it's not unusual to see a bike picked apart, piece by piece, for a month or two straight. Only a frame and u-lock left. I think that some of these scumbags just do it for sport.

Well, unless I find something extremely competitive for the price point (or a few hundred more), the Jamis Aurora is what I'll be getting. The 53cm fit me just right after some adjustment, and every competitor had something I didn't like...the Trek 520, Biachi Volpe, Fuji Tourer, and Surly LHT.
I also found what appears to be the perfect replacement for my gym bag/backpack that I'll be able to toss on my rear rack...the Detours Toocan Pannier/Grocery bag. The only problem with it is that with the quilting, it's a little "girly".

http://www.rei.com/product/749998

Ran, just get the black one.

You go about shopping for a bike in the same way I do. Look at everything in the class. And then probably several times over the course of a month or two or three. I like the Aurora, a bit more versatile than some of the others from my point of view, particularly if it's going to the main ride. Post when you snag it.

Will do.

As far as shopping (for ANYthing), I'm the world's worst, most anal retentive person there is...a salesperson's nightmare. And even though my friends make total fun of me, they're the FIRST to ask my opinion for an upcoming purchase...bikes, cameras, vacuum cleaners, sheets, etc.etc. Anal retentiveness DOES have it's benefits...I always end up with the BEST for the money. Then again, I waste a LOT of time reading up on all that stuff. :(

I'm really looking forward to the Aurora, but I would have gladly paid $200 more for 105 components all around. And no, the Aurora Elite is not that model; it's just a rebadged Nova from last year, with cyclocross geometry. A 105 regular Aurora would be my dream bike...good frame, great geometry, nice parts, and at around $1050, I wouldn't go bonkers when it gets stolen.

Now...about that 1upUSA bike trainer... :)

Foamy,

That is one beautiful bike. Congratulations. May you enjoy many miles on it.

Speedo

I've had my eye on the Co-Motion NorWester Tour for a while. This bike has sort of the same idea behind it. I really like this bike's brazed fork as opposed to the uni-crown fork that comes with the NorWester.

How long was the wait?

Speedo

Superb bike. Happy trails.

Hey thanks Speedo.

I considered the Co-Motion NorWester heavily, almost went there. Bottom line for me was: I can drive to Belinky's, that and the man is way flexible—whatever you want within reason. He claims a wait of 3 months—this took six. I, for some reason, do think this was an anomoly. This was almost a stock Tourlite, he added three quarters of an inch to the chainstay's and I went with a tubing upgrade, then the proportions changed to accommodate a higher bar height (taller head tube). In fact, all the dimensions changed when he had my measurements. So much for the stock Tourlite (didn't hurt my feelings at all:)). I'd recommend them. They'll work with/for you.

As far as the fork goes, I believe that's his stock Tange chromoly fork.

Thanks for the info. Have fun!

Speedo

Is that yours (http://www.bilenky.com/black%20white%20fade%20tourlite.html) on the Bilenky web site?

Thanks, and yep, that would be the one.