rickdesign

I just completed (mostly) the first bike I've built from scratch. Still need to tape the bars, after I'm sure they're where I need them, and I'm sure there'll be some adjusting. I built from parts ordered from hither and yon, some new, some ebay, and I also built my first set of wheels! My camera is at the office, I'll post a picture tomorrow if I can figure out how.

Specs, if anybody's interested:

Shimano Deore LX M570 hubs 36h
Sun CR-18 700c 36h rims
DT Swiss 14ga spokes
Nashbar crank 28/38/48
Nashbar ISIS bottom bracket
Shimano RSX front derailleur
Shimano 105 rear derailleur
Shimano Deore LX M560 cantilever brakes
Shimano Tiagra Brifters
Nitto randonneur bars w/ Nitto stem
Cane Creek S2 Headset
Shimano 105 9-speed cassette 13-25
Brooks Champion Flyer saddle
Kalloy seatpost
Wellgo magnesium pedals

Went for a short spin this afternoon, so far, so good.

Pay no attention to the red bottle cage, it's all I had. Will be replaced with stainless.




Rick Rorie
rick@rickdesign.com

KrisPistofferson

Can't wait for the pics. Brifters? You heathen!

rickdesign

I know, you're probably right. It was either brifters or friction down-tubes. One extreme or the other. The truth is, I've never ridden a bike with brifters, and I wanted to see if I liked it. If I don't, I'll probably change it to bar-ends, which I also have never used.


Rick Rorie
rick@rickdesign.com

KrisPistofferson

I was just joking. I love brifters, and I think they get inordinately demonized. That sounds like a pretty good package, and that LHT is an undeniably sweet bike. Enjoy.

Schumius

very pretty, but it would be more beautiful if the cranks were also silver you know.

rickdesign

Well, holy cow. The crank had the number of teeth I wanted, and didn't come in silver. I'll get over it.

Revtor

rick, after a thousand miles or so, the black (and the N logo) will wear off and the worn in silver coming through the black is the most beautiful of all..

beautiful!
~Steve

Grasschopper

What is you assesment of the cranks so far, the the Nashbar BB? I am thinking about getting the compact for my commuter but you never hear much from users of the Nashbar components. I think I read they are made by RPM who I believe is a part of FSA but I haven't confirmed that.

2mtr

did you get the decals off yourself, or was it like that when you got the frame?

rickdesign

So far the crank/BB seem to be very nice. The BB feels very smooth.

rickdesign

I bought the frame from a guy who bought it new, but never built it. He took the decals off. I kind of wish he had left them on... I may order new ones.

roadfix

Looking very nice. Love that peace straddle and the decal-less frame....

smurfy

Yes, I also like your bike. I just LOVE that pea-soup green color (goes very well with the honey Brooks saddle)! I think Surly has done a good job choosing some unusual and interesting colors for thier frames.

Are thier any fenders in this bike's future? SKS would look good on this bike!

robertsdvd

Ok, I give, where'd you get the peace sign cable straddle?

RegularGuy

Nicely done!

I have the same straddle cable hangers on my single speed. I had to order mine from Canada.

Schumius

you can order a new frame and take the decals and iīll help you safe keeping that frame, that sounds good huh! make sure itīs 54cm.

detaisl please!

rickdesign

Yep. I'm trying to decide between black plastic fenders or stainless steel. Black would probably help offset having to go with a black crank.

halfbiked

Yet he combines the brifters with a sprung brooks saddle... I don't know what to think. retro? modern? or a <gasp> combination??

tourbike

Thanks, I think I just became sold on the LHT as a decent replacement to the Bruce Gordon Rock N' Road-X, a little too steep for me, even the cheaper version. (Sorry Bruce, I know you watch this forum) With a $400 initial investment, and a half a year's worth of acquiring parts and assembling, I could still save some money and end up with a very similar on/off road tourer. I'm thinking on making mine camo, as the base color is already there (and I can take the decals off)!!!

markw

The Sugino XD's look sexier IMHO. Nice ride, even if it has black cranks. Go with the black SKS fenders. After having some DA brifters die, I'm against Shimano brifters. (google shows quite a few hits on dead ones). I replaced mine with Campagnolo 10spd Chorus Ergo's and a jtek shiftmate. Nashbar has/had the Campy Centaur 10spd brifters for 129. About the same quality as Ultegra, but rebuildable, and they shift better.

vig23

Hey there,
I've had my LHT for one week (we're having an anniversary party later) -- so far it's great. Beats the heck out of my recently departed 520. Brooks honey saddle with Carradice Barley, bar-end shifters, DT Swiss Onyx hubs which are very cool by the way, went with 175 cranks and after the first 100 miles got used to them (compared to my usual 170s) -- long legs and so I thought I'd try them and it seems to be working out well.
Fenders are on the way. Dealt with Trophy bikes in Philly -- great bunch of guys and Mike (the owner) is a passionate rider and believer in all things bike.
All told, a fun bike. Was at a local REI the other day (yes, I know, yuppy central but they've got some cool stuff just the same) and three of the guys came out to look at the bike -- they were quite smitten. I'm not just sayin' this 'cause I own one, but the bike is great, rides like a dream (rims are Salsa delgado cross, with Panaracer 37s) -- a very good value. For those who care I went with the 58cm -- I'm 5'11 but with a 34.75 inseam (pubic-bone height).

roadfix

vig23.........so how do you like your Barley bag? I'm thinking about getting one. Which colour did you get?

vig23

I like it. It's a very practical size -- I've had the Nelson Long Flap and Camper in years past but they've always been too big for keeping on the bike on a daily basis. The Barley is nice because it's not too big so there's not much windage but it's large enough to hold quite a bit of stuff, side-pockets are very handy and I like having (although I haven't needed them yet) the D-Rings on top for tie-downs.
Got the black because that's the color the shop had in -- although the green looks very nice and if the shop had both I'd probably have gone green but the black goes nicely with the bike.

vig23

Nice bike!

PhattTyre

Is that a Ringle Mojo cable hanger, or a copy? I haven't see one of those on a bike in a long time. I still have one that I got about 8-9 years ago. I don't have a bike right now that could even use it, so it's part of an incense burner hanger now. I've been thinking of putting an old touring brake on my fixed gear just to use it on something.