For a year prior to today I was in the search of the ultimate commuter bike......now, I have finally built it.
Main goals for the build: Sliding dropout frame, full chainguard (chaincase), disc brakes front and rear, internally geared hub. The combination of these things and lack of part availability in the US is what proved difficult
The frame is a Voodoo Wanga made of Reynolds 631 steel tubing with sliding dropouts. Wheels are Alex TD17 rims hand laced (by yours truly ) to a Shimano Alfine 8 speed hub gear in the back and SRAM 9.0 in the front. Alfine is an upgraded Nexus red band with the addition of support for a disc brake (unfortunately centerlock only). The hub shifts amazingly well and smooth even under load.
Maybe my favorite thing about the whole bike though is the chainguard contraption made by Hebie, a German company, called the Chainglider. It consists of 4 plastic pieces that fit together to fully enclose your entire chain, sprocket and chainwheel. It is mounted in such a way that it "glides" on the chain and requires no special mount hardware. I was concerned with noise from the rub of the chain on the plastic but was relieved to find that it makes very little. With the bike on a repair stand I can hear it but when on the road, the tires produce more audible noise. No more chewed up pant legs, no more grease tattoos, no more frequent cleanings and relubes; this is absolutely the way to go for a practical bicycle.
Other components: Brooks B67, Axiom Champlain panniers, Scott AT4 bars, Pinhead locking skewers, Planet Bike Cascadia fenders and my DIY halogen light system
Very nice bike you got there dwoloz!
Where did you buy the Chainglider? I need one too!
I went through months of trying to buy one to no avail. I actually started talking with someone from sales at Hebie and ended up importing an initial order of 60 of them to be sold in the US online. I will be selling them later this year on my new website offering utility bike products not found in local bike shops http://www.bikefront.com
WOW
Please tell us about the lights - or point us to the info.
I basically just watched the "geek" thread that used to be in this subforum and is now in the lights and gadgets subforum. It consists of a two 11 watt halogen lights sold at Home Depot (intended as garden lights) for $10 a pair. The plastic box I found at the dump, used to be a CD holder, I thought it was a nice travel trunk The lights mount direct to the box through their terminals so the connection for the lights is actually made through the mounting itself. A screw goes through the terminal, then threw the plastic then a ring terminal is placed under the screw head on the inside. Power is provided by a sealed lead acid battery, heavy but cheap. Possibly going to upgrade to a lighter solution just so its easy to carry the bike up and down stairs. The tail light is a red xenon flasher sold at Allelectronics.com
Very nice. Only thing I could think of to add is reflective sidewall tires. On second look, you're also a little light (no pun intended) in the reflector department.
My next big purchase I hope will be something involving an 8-speed internal hub. And I do like that chainguard! Can we get our names on the waiting list now?
Originally Posted by MadfiNch on Commuting forum
What's the point of a bike if you can only ride it on weekends, and you can't even carry anything with you?!
I think you somehow read my mind and accidently built my dream bike. PM me and I'll give you my address so you can send it!
is that the Nashbar front rack?
That is the Nashbar rack. Works well for my purposes and can't beat the price and ease of mounting
Originally Posted by bobcrotch
Dude! thats amazing! I don't even want to know how much money you had to drop on it though =) That is truly awesome all weather commuter.
Cost on the entire bike wasn't really that high in my opinion. It is however the most expensive bike I've ever owned (which isn't saying much). A bike very similar to this is going to be offered by Civia Cycles for $2200 and I can tell you I paid nearly a third of that.
Originally Posted by JohnBrooking
Very nice. Only thing I could think of to add is reflective sidewall tires. On second look, you're also a little light (no pun intended) in the reflector department.
My next big purchase I hope will be something involving an 8-speed internal hub. And I do like that chainguard! Can we get our names on the waiting list now?
I've yet to slap on reflective tape but it is on my to-do list. I am also in the market for Schwalbe reflective sidewall tires
Glad you like the Chainglider too. I'm really confident in the product and hope it catches on (as well as more practically minded bicycling products). I currently have 60 Chaingliders, 30 suitable for 38 tooth chainwheels, and 30 suitable for 44 tooth chainwheels. I am anticipating that you should not have an issue getting one when they become available shortly
Thanks everyone for the comments
Glad you like the Chainglider too. I'm really confident in the product and hope it catches on (as well as more practically minded bicycling products). I currently have 60 Chaingliders, 30 suitable for 38 tooth chainwheels, and 30 suitable for 44 tooth chainwheels. I am anticipating that you should not have an issue getting one when they become available shortly
Can you please PM me when they become available......please?
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) to a Shimano Alfine 8 speed hub gear in the back and SRAM 9.0 in the front. Alfine is an upgraded Nexus red band with the addition of support for a disc brake (unfortunately centerlock only). The hub shifts amazingly well and smooth even under load.
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Originally Posted by zoltani
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