Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - My new rando bike

I just finished building my new rando bike and thought you guys might like to see it:

http://gallery.me.com/travishanna/100079/DSC_0459/web.jpg?ver=12510395770001

I was originally going to build it around a Surly Crosscheck frame but I stumbled into the Pake for half the price and couldn't pass it up (I think I paid about $240 + $35 shipping for frame and fork IIRC). Overall I'm happy with the frame. It's a great value and I would buy it again though I have a couple of small complaints.

http://gallery.me.com/travishanna/100079/DSC_0465/web.jpg?ver=12510396010001
http://gallery.me.com/travishanna/100079/DSC_0478.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12510398500001
http://gallery.me.com/travishanna/100079/DSC_0470.jpg?derivative=medium&source=web.jpg&type=medium&ver=12510398100001

I built the front wheel with a SON 28 & SuperNova E3 system that I ordered from Peter White. I selected the E3 over the E6 because there are no mountains to barrel down where I live but I frequently ride through inner-city neighborhoods at night and I want to see as much of my environment as possible.

http://gallery.me.com/travishanna/100079/DSC_0479/web.jpg?ver=12510396680001

I've got the headlight mounted on my fork for now to leave room for a bag up front. I'm trying to score a set of Acorn bags but what I want hasn't been in stock since I've had the cash to make a purchase. I'm going to give it a few more weeks before I break down and get something from Rivendell, Velo Orange, or Wallingford.

Here are the general specs:

XT Derailleurs, Cassette, Chain, Rear Hub
SON 26 Front Hub
Salsa Delgado Rims
DT Double Butted Spokes (built the wheels myself)
Sugino XD-2 Triple Crankset
Shimano Cartridge Bottom Bracket (don't remember the model number)
Velo-Orange Stem
Nitto Noodle Bars
Tektro Cantilever Brakes and Levers
Dura-Ace Bar End Shifters
Panaracer Pasela 700Cx32's folding w/tourguard
Shimano PD-M324 SPD/Platform Pedals

I finished it last Friday and it's been a busy week so I've only managed 55 miles so far - mostly from a late night ride on Monday night. I'm dying to take her out for some long rides but I'm probably going to have to settle for 30-40 mile night rides for the next couple of weeks :(.

Oh, and the saddle is low in this picture but I did end up leaving the steerer completely uncut putting the bars an inch above the saddle - maybe a tad more. I might end up bringing them down a smidge. I haven't decided yet.

Oh, I also built a matching spare wheel with an XT front hub while I was at it in case I ever want to strip her down and give cyclocross a whirl, transfer the SON to another bike, etc.

Hey that's pretty nice. And a fair sight cheaper than the Salsa Casseroll I'm looking at. Fairly higher BB on it, other than that it's pretty similar in geometry. Have you ridden the Salsa to compare the two? I wonder how much difference the BB height makes on a LD ride.

Nice job with the Pake. Nicest one I've seen on the net.

Nice.
I never realised the E3 was so small. Why don't you mount the hub the other way around to shorten the wire?

Nice bike! The only thing I'd change is the mud flaps. You need something way more imaginative. There are some really good ones up in the Seattle area. I think it's an art form there. :) My fav is a Aunt Jemima (plastic) bottle cut in half.

Regarding the E3, can you run that solo off of your hub or does it need to have the taillight for a proper load?

Hey that's pretty nice. And a fair sight cheaper than the Salsa Casseroll I'm looking at. Fairly higher BB on it, other than that it's pretty similar in geometry. Have you ridden the Salsa to compare the two? I wonder how much difference the BB height makes on a LD ride.

I've not ridden the Salsa. I've only just discovered a local bike shop that carries their brand. I can feel the difference in BB height when I first mount the bike, especially if I've been riding one of my other bikes just beforehand. After a few blocks, I don't really notice it anymore.


Nice job with the Pake. Nicest one I've seen on the net.

Thanks.


Nice.
I never realised the E3 was so small. Why don't you mount the hub the other way around to shorten the wire?

The hub has to be mounted in this specific direction or else something in it will loosen up over time - eventually damaging it. I could have mounted the light on the other fork blade but I decided I wanted it on the left. Running the wire along the back of the fork doesn't really bother me.


Nice bike! The only thing I'd change is the mud flaps. You need something way more imaginative. There are some really good ones up in the Seattle area. I think it's an art form there. :) My fav is a Aunt Jemima (plastic) bottle cut in half.


Nice. I'll have to think on that a bit.



Regarding the E3, can you run that solo off of your hub or does it need to have the taillight for a proper load?

It's my understanding that it will run it fine without a taillight but that the LED will run hotter - possibly making it slightly dimmer or shortening its life a tad. It didn't seem to be a huge concern but it's something to be aware of...

Great looking bike! What is that do-dad you got the E-3 hooked to on the fork. I'd like to get one.

I got that do-dad from Peter White (peterwhitecycles.com). It screws into the low-rider rack mounting hole. Pretty cool...

It sounded like he had a bunch of mounts that aren't listed on his website. If you call and describe it, I'm sure they'll know what you're talking about.

Do you notice if using the wider Delgado rims mounted with the 32 Paselas actually give the tire a wider footprint?

I've never mounted them on narrower rims so I can't say.

Do you notice if using the wider Delgado rims mounted with the 32 Paselas actually give the tire a wider footprint?

The Delgatos will not widen the tire significantly. But a Mavic A319 or 719 will.

Nice bike! The only thing I'd change is the mud flaps. You need something way more imaginative. There are some really good ones up in the Seattle area. I think it's an art form there. :) My fav is a Aunt Jemima (plastic) bottle cut in half.

Regarding the E3, can you run that solo off of your hub or does it need to have the taillight for a proper load?

The most common one up here is an old water bottle split down the middle and zip tied to the fender. It's stiff enough to stay put, but bendable in case you snag it on something.
I've used ribbed stair tread before. $2.00 for a slab of it at the hardware, and it's enough to make about 2 pairs of flaps.
Coroplast election signs are popular for building all sorts of stuff around here Kent Peterson actually holds coroplast construction workshops once in a while; people build fenders, mudflaps, even seatwedge boxes and rack trunks!
Some of the randos have really elaborate mudflaps. There's one guy who used a very pliable leather and weighted the bottom with some custom stainless cutouts he made to match the custom work on his bike.
I've seen thin sheet metal or thin PVC pop riveted to extend the fender.

Right now I have a pair from the LBS; they're made of that flexible plastic that logo-keychains are printed on, and they had a reflective logo from the LBS on them a couple years ago. Weather and abuse have long worn that away, and I need to slap a reflector on there.


About the E3: It runs just fine solo. I used mine for almost a year before adding the taillight to it. Interesting fact; the E3 has DC/AC converter electronics and you can't use a regular DC taillight, only the Supernova E3 taillight will work.

I gave up on the Acorn bags and ordered Sackville stuff from Rivendell today :(. I've been watching the Acorn site for almost a month and the bags I want haven't been in stock. Today I noticed that they're taking the first half of September off as well and I don't want to wait another month (or more). I'm a bit bummed because I really had my heart set on the Acorn bags but oh well.