Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Long Haul Trucker parts ordered!

I went to the bike shop earlier today to get fitted and pay a deposit on the parts. They've put in the order, and should be getting them in about 2 weeks!

Here's a list of all the parts I've specced out:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmrzsycAbI0jdDRoVGVmbnMyR24ycTRQVEtRSXdaQ2c

Some of the details, like rims, etc, I let the bike shop pick out based on what they thought would be best, so the spreadsheet doesn't reflect that yet. Oh man I can't wait.

They seemed excited too, they said that it's rare that someone comes in and orders such a customized bike, they're actually looking forward to putting it together. He said it's going to be fun because it's so unique (the shop almost entirely builds racing bikes for Freds :D).

Gah, I'm excited. My first real bike as an adult. Can't believe it's taken me this long to finally go through with it!

Can't wait to see another LHT coming into the world!

Nice build Mith! You are still going to speak to us once join the LHT gang aren't you ;) You are going to need a tablet with a wireless access plan because you are going to be spending more time cycling. I can envision Mith sitting by a campfire eating dinner after riding a double-century. I think perhaps you are another randonneur in training!

Nice...enjoy.

They seemed excited too, they said that it's rare that someone comes in and orders such a customized bike, they're actually looking forward to putting it together. He said it's going to be fun because it's so unique (the shop almost entirely builds racing bikes for Freds :D).

Congrats on the bike but what's so highly customized about it? It's an off the shelf frame from QBP with a pretty standard parts spec.

As for the Fred comment, didn't you get highly offended at another poster for judging you when in fact all he did was merely suggest you should ride more hills to get better at hills? Yet now you judge people you call "freds" because they have more disposable money to build a better bike than most people?

enjoy the new ride buddy!

Congrats on the bike but what's so highly customized about it? It's an off the shelf frame from QBP with a pretty standard parts spec.


I should say custom for that shop. They rarely put together hybrid gearing like this, mixing mountain and road parts.



As for the Fred comment, didn't you get highly offended at another poster for judging you when in fact all he did was merely suggest you should ride more hills to get better at hills? Yet now you judge people you call "freds" because they have more disposable money to build a better bike than most people?Relax, the comment is tongue-in-cheek, hence the smiley. I've referred to myself as Fred on more than one occasion here. We're all Freds in one way or another, whether we want to admit it or not.

I should say custom for that shop. They rarely put together hybrid gearing like this, mixing mountain and road parts.. I've just put together a few set ups similar to this. I can't see your derailler/shifter selections on my phone so I'll give some advice and you can disregard if it's not applicable. Shimano mtb 10spd rear deraillers have a different cable pull than sram and other shimano deraillers. They will only work with shimano 10 spd mtb shifters. If you're using any shimano or sram road brifters use either a sram RD or a 9 speed shimano mtb rear derailler.



Relax, the comment is tongue-in-cheek, hence the smiley. I've referred to myself as Fred on more than one occasion here. We're all Freds in one way or another, whether we want to admit it or not.

gotcha. I agree that we're all freds at heart and it's somewhat disheartening how judgemental this sport has become. I stand corrected if your comment was tongue in cheek.

Gearing like that on a LHT? Nice; looks like you're building it up for actual touring or something.

looks nice, don't know what you ended up with for bars but I've been pretty happy with my Soma highway one bars. They are shorter and shallow making them somewhat milder as far as drop bars go. They're also pretty cheep at $40 MSRP.

Gearing like that on a LHT? Nice; looks like you're building it up for actual touring or something.

Not touring... at least at the start. Someday, yes. But for now I simply want a strong road bike to support my weight, but will be comfortable enough to do up to a 200k sometime next year.

The low gearing is due to me having issues on steep hills. I basically want to spend next year exploring the hills to the south of me, now that I've pretty much gone everywhere to the north, and I don't want to get stuck anywhere.

yes definitely make sure the rear der is compatible with 10 speed - when using a 32 or 34 tooth cassette.. 2 things to add to your order would be a velo-orange cru seatpost, it is clyde friendly and has a lot of setback which is almost a necessity for brooks b17 riders.. The rails on the b17 are very short and it can be frustrating getting the correct position..

http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/components/seatposts/vo-grand-cru-seat-post-long-setback.html

The other item since you are consider a lower 20t / 22t rings would be a chain watcher: http://www.cyclocrossworld.com/third-eye-chain-watcher

This keeps your chain from dropping off when going to the lowest ring, it is cheap and they work.

yes definitely make sure the rear der is compatible with 10 speed - when using a 32 or 34 tooth cassette..

Except that you have to keep in mind that Shimano 10 speed MTB stuff is not compatible with road shifters. You'll need a 9 speed derailleur as Paisan mentioned earlier. Many people are running 9 speed MTB derailleurs with 10 speed road systems so they do work even if shimano might not say so.

Oh yeah and that VO seatpost is nice I've got one and it's great.

he can stick with a medium cage ultegra der if he uses a 12-27 or 12-28 cassette.. If he goes to a 20t / 22t granny gear this should be enough for anything on the road..