Steve Sawyer

I started collecting parts for this last spring, and the LOML and my son added a couple of the final touches as Christmas gifts (the Brooks saddle, matching saddle bag & Topeak handlebar bag). Had some time off over the holidays and got 'er all put together, ready for a test ride as soon as I get some halfway-decently warm weather that's at least in the 40's - and yes, I'm a wimp - I'm standing here at my desk in the office in long johns and a wool sweater, shivering - literally!!

Anyway, the last things on the to-do list is to take it out and ride it enough to get everything adjusted right and whacking off some more of the steering tube after I dial-in the stem height, then finding some fenders that will fit. Along with the saddle & bag, the LOML got me a pair of 40mm Tanaka alloy fenders, but they turned out to be too narrow - they rub on the 32mm tires, so I'm going to have to do something else.

This was intended as a light tourer, especially after getting beaten up on my aluminum-frame Specialized during the PALM ride last summer (Pedal Across Lower Michigan). A Soma ES steel frame & fork, Mavic A-119 wheels w/Tiagra hubs and DT-Swiss DB spokes, 32mm Panaracer tires and a Shimano 105 gruppo. I'm hoping that it's better suited to the the third-world crumbling two-tracks that pass for highways in our state.

freedomrider1

wow, i dig that. interesting color. You need steel up their with those roads LOL.

qcpmsame 

Steve,
That turned out absolutely beautiful, really nice looking bicycle there. With the fenders it will look like the tourer you have described perfectly. Where is the like icon?

Bill

Steve Sawyer

Ain't that the truth. Third-world roads, third-world internet service, third-world schools - gonna hafta move to Ohio soon!!

As to the color - I wasn't super enthusiastic about it at first, then when I started visualizing it with black components... and then the decision to go with the gum-wall tires!

What's funny related to the color is that I started this project to have something on which to hang a couple of wheels I built in a wheel-building class I took a bit over a year ago. Trouble is, those were built on Sun CR18 rims. Good wheels, but they were silver, so I ended up building a second set of wheels with black rims to actually go on the bike and the original pair is still hanging on the wall!!

Steve Sawyer

Thanks, Bill. Finding a set of fenders that both fit and look good is going to be a challenge. It's pretty tight in there! I was going to go over the alloy fenders with a Scotchbrite pad to give them a "brushed" nickel look, but I may have to end up with something in plastic...

qclabrat

nice work Steve, good looking ride

Let us know where you landed on the tire/fender combo

John E

If I could have only one bicycle, it would be a road touring bike with a somewhat relaxed geometry and 32mm tires -- the sort of thing you have just built.

JTGraphics

Looks good a very rewarding experience it is to build up your own creation.
Well done enjoy the many wonderful rides you'll get on it.

NOS88

Nice job. Hope you enjoy each and every ride with it.

Steve Sawyer

For those who haven't wrenched much on their bikes, I have to say that going through this process has really improved my knowledge and understanding of how a bike works. It really amazed me as I started out how little attention I'd paid to things like how a rear cog is assembled or how cables are routed, and building wheels is a VERY enjoyable activity - which is why I didn't hesitate to build a second set of wheels that were cosmetically matched to this frame.

Hill-Pumper

I really like the Panaracer gum wall tires, it gives the bike an old school/retro look. They work well with the rest of the bike.