LarDasse74

I was working at a bike shop in Ottawa that was building its own brand of bikes, so I bought a new-old-stock hybrid frame and built a touring bike with the parts off a barely-used mountain bike someone had given me...

Two problems - the frame is a little too small for me (it is a 60 cm and I am 6'4" - I probably need a 63 or 64cm) and the rear hub bearings are wearing away noticably by the kilometer, so I disassemble and repack them three times per year.

High points of the bike are the Alex DH22 rims (I have only ever seen them for sale at the shop where I worked where they were used on many of the touring and higher end hybrid bikes) I laced with 14 guage DT champion spokes... after thousands of kms of rough roads and riding home in the dark with no lights I have not yet had to true them; 7 speed barcon shifters; and a super-lightweight aluminum fork. I am posting pictures today because I previously said I would, and because I am procrastinating when I should be going out fort a long ride on the skidoo trails west of town. I will probably load up the trailer with my beer empties and make a run to the beerstore and on my way home pick up a doghouse I saw somebody throw away yesterday.

So without further ado -

dbikingman

OK, if I am honest it isn't the sexiest bike I have seen on here. It has an interesting look. But hey you built it and that has to count for something. It looks like it will serve its intended purpose. I hope you enjoy many miles and fun trips.

thanks for sharing with pics.

4SEVEN3

Thats a cool nike ya got there! I dig the frame tube shape, and think it awesome that you built it up yourself to suit your needs!

Ride On!

jesspal

it looks tuff thats for sure

CliftonGK1

The frame shape alone raises the awesome factor on this bike. I'm really digging those curved tubes. Plus, I'm a big fan of bar end shifters and purpose-built bikes. Quite cool.

LarDasse74

Thank you all for your comments.

The frame is actually a double-butted aluminum hybrid frame, originally used on the very least expensive hybrids made by Eclipse in (I think) 2001. The curved tubes actually make it hard to have the rear shifting work consistently well, and hence there were a few of these left in the warehouse in 2006... the extra cable hoops on the underside of the centre of the top tube add friction to the cable - the cable was originally rubbing directly on an eyelet on the frame, but I put a short section of housing in to try to help it... next step is full length cable housing, I think, unless I decide to try to sell it and get something that fits me better.

bdinger

That is one really nice ride. I dig touring bikes, this has to be one of the more innovative builds I've seen.

txvintage

Hats off on the build. At first glance it seems compact for a touring rig, but the more I look at it, the more I like it. The top tube gives it a different look.

My touring bike sees most of my miles these days. Kind of sad when you consider the several roadies I have to chose from.

Neil_B

Very nice. I like the curved top tube. However, do you realize your saddle nose is tilted up? Just looking at it makes me feel uncomfortable.

LarDasse74

Yes, I know. I am a serial tinkerer and I have adjusted it twice since the picture was taken. I actually prefer a nose up saddle to a nose down saddle. RIght now I think I am half-a-notch nose down and I have more pressure on my hands than I like. My rides are usually on very rough roads so I don't stay seated for too long... if I do I get crotchular numbness.