Redline Metro Classic (drop bars, steel, disc brakes) my first bike build!
 

I just built up my first bike. I sold off my old commuter bike/hybrid to offset the price of this new bike. I remember buying my beloved hybrid back in 2010 just getting back into cycling. I loved the hybrid because it was comfortable and had disc brakes, fender/rack mounts.

Eventually I realized that I was more into road biking, and loved the drop bar road bikes. My hybrid was used less and less, and I kept lusting after such bike builds like the Traitor Ruben, Soma Double Cross Disc, Salsa Vaya, and the Surly Long Haul Trucker Disc.

I eventually saw the Redline Metro Classic and loved it.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7228/7...c721bb37_c.jpg

I decided to build up the bike myself. I wanted to swap out the 2012 (now 10 speed) Tiagra Triple for a compact double from SRAM.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/7...bb744a8a_b.jpg

The SRAM Apex swap out was smooth and uncomplicated. There were so many videos on YouTube on how to install specific sram parts as well as general bike assembly videos with all the specific things (bottom brackets, derailleurs, ect.).

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6...c61fa538_c.jpg

I swapped out the Avid Road BB5 with Road BB7s. There is a very informative video on how to install/adjust the brakes on youtube from the Volagi (from the Specialized law suit) guys. The inline barrel adjusters were easy enough to install - but I did have to google-fu pictures on how to do so.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6...efcc32f8_z.jpg

The tire clearances look to be huge. I've got the stock 28c tires on right now.. but I know I have my options to go huge for the winter/dirt/trails/ect.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/6...c40752e9_c.jpg

I swapped out the stock saddle for my selle an atomica. I have my older planet bike cascadia fenders and topeak rack ready to be installed. I also ordered some 3M orange reflective tape sheets (you can find them for dirt cheap on eBay) to be applied. I'm looking into those special nuts that are "theft deterrents" because they require a special key to loosen/tighten for extra security.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7237/6...876623ec_c.jpg

At least I have a really "all around-er" bike now that I can use for the occasional dirt trail, maybe a cyclocross race, road riding, touring, commuting.. ect ect..

^ a great looking and versatile bike, nice job!

i'd love to have something similar myself, but my current living situation does not allow for the accumulation of any more bikes (small downtown condo).

Great choice! And very smart upgrades, looks like a winner to me.

we've got the same problem: I'm in a Brooklyn apartment - fortunately we have a small extra room that I use for my bike storage.

My other bike, a Bridgestone RB-1 from 1993 is actually uber versatile because it has fender mounts, but I'm too freaked out about it being stolen to actually commute/do errands/park for extended periods of time with. So I looked for a long time on another very versatile bike that can be used for pretty much anything.

Ive seen stick on pads red line makes , to pad the frame tube,side
where you are, always banging the frame against the post and/or bike rack,
that you use to lock it up .

Looks like a good candidate for 650b wheels and Hetre tires.

Wow, that's a great build! Thanks for the pictures.

Very nice ride. Now go get some lights and bags for it.

I was so torn between this bike and the Kona ***** Inc... ended up choosing the Kona because I couldn't find any Redline dealers in the area that had a Metro Classic I could test ride. The RMC is more in line with what I wanted; a sturdy 4-seasons-capable steel bike with plenty of room for huge tires and rack/fenders. I did manage to get fenders and a rack that work, but I'm probably never going above 32mm on the Kona. It is a delicious ride, however, with a carbon fork and 105/Ultegra, and it has a bit of a sporty feel to it.

Congrats on the beautiful and practical bike!

^ you know... I was seconds away from pulling the trigger on the Kona ***** Inc...its basically what I wanted also (because of the great build specs for the price). But I got a great deals from an online seller for both the Redline bike and the Sram Apex group and crunched the numbers (with the huge savings on tax and discount).

I'm sure I'd be just as happy with the Kona too. That kona is huge huge value considering its specs. In retrospect the basic redline specs for $1099 is a huge value too. Hopefully I can offset some of the spending on the BB7 + Apex group by selling off the Tiagra 10speed build, and old brakes and parts.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/6...fa5ffed0_b.jpg

here's how the bike looks when outfitted for commuting. Planet Bike Cascadia 45mm fender and Topeak rack were from my older commuter. Universal Sound Bell mounted on a Velo Orange bell mount/headset spacer.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/7...bf244172_b.jpg

I was wondering if the compact crank set + 11-32t cassette was the way to go - but I just got back from a grocery run and had 4 2liter bottles of soda + some groceries mounted on to my Topeak Trolley Tote and had to climb up a pretty steep hill... I was thankful for the super granny gear.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/...95efccd421.jpg

What is the tire clearance like at the intersection of the chainstays and seat tube? I was directly told by Redline that the maximum tire size was 700x32 without fenders.

quick note. the installation of the fenders was tricky because of the height clearance. I had to use a brake caliper nut to extend to the chainstay bridge braze on.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7085/6...b611fe50_c.jpg


I'm currently using the stock 28c Hutchinson tires. They are 28mm exactly.

Chainstay-Tire-Seat tube clearance:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/7...815cf42a_c.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7075/7...cf6860a3_c.jpg

fork clearance:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/6...28227bee_c.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7130/6...5b263aa0_c.jpg

Nice looking bike. It it were mine, for a cleaner look, I would route the shifter cables on the other side of the headtube from how you have currently, and cross the cables under the downtube.

How are you getting these photos without a kickstand!? Is this some Photoshop magic?

Nice job. That bike looks great.

I'm not usually a fan of orange, red, or any of those other colors that 'pop', but I think that bike looks GREAT. Good job on it!

beautiful bike. I went through a similar itch (wanting a disc, multiuse commuter) a few months ago and looked at the Redline, Salsa, Traitor, Kona and Surly. Then I realized I love my current commuter too much (an old Gary Fisher hardtail mtn bike).

Yours is pretty much exactly how I would build one up though. Great job!

That's awesome! There's so much versatility with that setup.

Great looking bike! Thanks for all the great pics of it.

^ This! I love the colour and the BB7 + compact upgrades are smart. Those Selle Anatomicas are comfy too. Great that you can easily add a rack/fenders without disturbing the disc brakes too, and the clearance gives you room for tires for just about any reasonable riding surface.

I've actually shelved the idea of an all-rounder full size bike for now though as I'm exploring folder bikes. :innocent: That and I've gotten a lot more used to riding my lighter road bike in more adverse conditions.

Nice! I just reread a review of that while looking for something else and thought it would make a great all around ride.

Doh! Good question! Was admiring the bike so much I didn't even notice. But yes, it really makes the photos look professional. What's your secret?

it's just a stick that holds up the bike from the crank. if you look at the previous pics from the first post you can see the stick.

the secret is to tighten the brakes until it doesn't roll. from there you can use a stick. certain angles the stick is invisible. from the straight on angles you just photoshop it out by utilizing the clone feature.

^^^^^^^
I prefer to believe it's magic.

Inspiring build/thread.