Trek Belleville - Homage To The Rene Herse/Alex Singer Parisian Porteur Bike
09-01-09, 07:56 PM
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Hybrids do perform commuting and utility tasks. It one of the reasons people buy them.
Last edited by NormanF; 10-22-10 at 11:16 PM.
10-22-10, 02:15 PM
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Making it mine.
Last month I purchased a Belle Ville. I am in the process right now of trying to do just that, sans the 650B's The most difficult aspect of that proposal is the 3-speed grip shifter wraps around the handlebar and the brake cable needs to run outside on the bottom of the handlebars. It's only a problem on the right, the left inverse brake lever has no such obstructions. This will obviously require some customization, I plan on running a portion of the right (rear) brake cable inside the handlebar and have it exit the bottom of the handlebar just aft of the revo shifter in the grip area. I will then wrap the grip area with VO's elk hide leather. I've also added a Brooks aged B67 saddle, crane bell, porteur kickstand and I made rack shelves - stained and spar varnished to match (I was told by a Trek salesperson that it looked like the bike came from the factory that way!) At some point I plan on switching the 3 speed IGH for either a SRAM 9 speed IGH or 8 speed Alfine IGH.
The dynamo hub is a great idea, however, I don't quite understand why Trek would cheap out and use a headlight without a stand light function. Seriously, Spanninga manufactures the same light currently found on the Belle Ville with the stand light function for almost no difference in price. (Hey Trek, Thanks for thinking of rider safety, but you still fail.) I will post some pictures when I get the inverse lever brakes installed.
Thanks!
The dynamo hub is a great idea, however, I don't quite understand why Trek would cheap out and use a headlight without a stand light function. Seriously, Spanninga manufactures the same light currently found on the Belle Ville with the stand light function for almost no difference in price. (Hey Trek, Thanks for thinking of rider safety, but you still fail.) I will post some pictures when I get the inverse lever brakes installed.
Thanks!
10-22-10, 11:04 PM
#28
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You could replace the stock Trek one with a Spanninga. I look forward to seeing your personal interpretation of the classic French bikes of the 1940s and the 1950s.
Most of us still lust after a Rene Herse/Alex Singer because they're non-pareil as far as beautiful and functional bikes go but are very expensive. This is the next best thing to do.
Enjoy your Belleville and may it bring you many years of riding pleasure!
Most of us still lust after a Rene Herse/Alex Singer because they're non-pareil as far as beautiful and functional bikes go but are very expensive. This is the next best thing to do.
Enjoy your Belleville and may it bring you many years of riding pleasure!
Last edited by NormanF; 10-22-10 at 11:16 PM.
