So, you have to commute, crit, gravel grind, century, and get milk...
 

The Gummint had decided to re-distribute bike wealth.
You must give up the rest of your bikes to the less fortunate.

However, (My Dream of) Jeannie has granted your choice of (No One Can Eat) just one bike, past or present, with a (Burger King) build, your way.

What bike do you keep, buy, build, or steal?


Tell us about the entire build:
Frame
Headset
Fork
Wheelset
Tires
FD/RD
Crankset
Rings
BB
Calipers
Shifters
Seatpost
Saddle/Seat bag
Pedals
Cassette/Freewheel/Gearing
Chain or belt
Stem/Bars/Wrap
Lighting
Racks
Nav/Cyclo

Briefly support your decision.

Easy peasy. I'd get a custom built cross bike with a little lower bottom bracket height (around the same height as a road bike). I'd keep the build real simple with a 110/74 triple crank, either 9 or 10 on the back, and 2 sets of wheels (one for heavy duty stuff, one for going fast). I'd probably go with Phil Wood hubs; Chris King headset; Nitto bar, stem, and seatpost; time atac pedals; and shimano ultegra (or 105) derailleurs with bar end shifters (for ease of shifting over the triple). In fact, it would like remarkably like my soma double cross only built up with more expensive stuff:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=420092

Same as when I was a starving college student --

frame: vintage steel touring or sport-touring geometry, 72 degrees parallel, moderately long wheelbase, ample tire and mudguard clearance

drop bars

crankset: aluminum crankset with double or triple ringset

freehub/freewheel: at least 6 cogs, preferably 7 or 8

gear ratio range (inches): low 40s to mid-90s (42/26 is a nice low gear; 50/14 is a great top gear)

shifters: either downtube or barcons

rear derailleur: SunTour or other slant plano.

wheelset: at least 32 spokes/wheel, 700C, 28-32mm tires (actual width; callout might run larger)

brakes: KoolStop pads and low-compression cable housings

Pletscher "mousetrap" rear rack



I also like the cross bike suggestions which have been posted.

26" 1x8 fat/smooth tired custom. All campy, custom frame. Think bridgestone X0, with a front bag or rack. Matter of fact, I 've pretty much got all the parts for such a build, bar a frame.

a bike like this can tackle any road short of single track, and still get you to work in comfort.

I am in the process of designing a custom commuter. No renderings yet, but maybe sometime in March, I have a few other fires.

Frame - Lugged stainless steel with the same geometry as my Frejus. Love that long wheelbase. Also affords space behind the seat tube to put in an integrated battery pack, tool kit and lock. Lugs are my tribute to Gloria. Paint would be minimal. Cromovelato highlights but mostly shiny stainless. The name is Il Gregario.

Stem and bars - Again, fully custom integrated combo in a condorino design. Integrated front light, side lights out of the bar ends, USB port for phone, switch for changing gears and space for the custom pcb to run the electronics. Also will have custom integrated brake levers.

Wheelset(s) - I'd have two. The first since I am still in Illinois would be a fixed-gear setup, Curtis Odom hubs laced to Grand Bois 700c rims. Drive would be a Gates belt. The second wheelset is when I move the hell out of Illinois and into San Diego. I will also be older and I will need gears. The current thought is the Shimano Alfine Di2, electronic internal-geared shifting.

Crank - I'm digging the FSA Gimondi and it is compatible with a Gates belt ring.

Brakeset - I was thinking discs but I find them unattractive. I am currently looking for a set of Campagnolo Veloce mini V-brakes.

Seatpost - I'd like a Miche Supertype but due to the large diameter XCR tubing, it will probably be a Thomson.

Seat - No brainer. Cambium C15. All weather perfection.

And finally, in addition to a front fender, and integrated rear fender rack with custom saddle bags, an integrated rear light and a handle between the down tube and seat tube to lift and carry the bike.

I forgot pedals - Probably custom platforms, I don't need no stinkin' toe clips.

I forgot tires, shame on me - 32s. Something nice. Grand Bois or the like.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=420107http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=420108

The same one that I've been riding for the last 40 years.
Currently configured as a Town Bike it's been run w/ tubulars for racing and grass course 'cross and with a triple for touring.
All of the old components are "around here somewhere".......but I'd re-build w/ the last generation of 6703 triple/brifters and drop bars if down to 1 machine.
Can't beat the versatility of the classic 531 British club rider's frameset.

-Bandera

Iab, an interesting project. I too have a bikes on the drawing board, a 650c bike for the wife and an around town plus bike for me.
While you don't like discs, I have to say, modulation and increased stopping power are worth test riding before you let aesthetics win.
At least on the front, lower effort too.

Planning for the West coast... May I suggest Escondido, Vista or Solano Beach (if you are feeling flush either SB, Solano Beach, Santa Barbara)
Fenders out here though are not given much use. I commute by bike and Zefal "clip ons" have been plenty.

Frame- 1988 Trek 400. I have one in a size too small (21", need a 22.5"). It has eyelets in the fork dropouts, rear dropouts and above the seatstay bridge. Fenders and a rack would not be an issue. It will also easily clear 700-32 tires. With fenders it will do 700-28 easily. It is reasonably light with butted TT tubes.

Headset- Standard 1" threaded headset. I have a FSA Duron laying around so I guess that will work.

Fork- The CroMo one that comes on the bike.

Wheels- For simplicity I'll go with one set, although two sets with different cassettes & tires is how I would end up doing it. 32H 8/9/10 Shimano hubs (Tiagra, 105 or Ultegra), Sapim Race spokes, brass nipples, Kinlin XR279 rims, 3x lacing. Should finish out around 1900-2000. Not the lightest wheelset but super durable.

Tires- Any folding 700-28 that comes in under 300 grams.

FD/RD- Shimano 105 5700 stuff

Crankset/Rings/BB- Shimano 6503 triple 52/42/30. Anything newer is just plain ugly. A triple makes good sense here. The 52/42 would see the most use but the 30 would come in handy for groceries and just being lazy. Octalink BB that I drill a hole in the side of with a carbide centerdrill. My home made "grease guard" BB.

Calipers- Medium reach Tektro dual pivots.

Shifters- Shimano 7900 10 speed DT or bar end shifters. Simple, beautiful, functional.

Seatpost- VO setback.

Saddle- Selle Italia Flite Trans Am Titanium.

Pedals- Shimano M520 to work with mountain shoes.

Cassette- 13-25 10 speed Shimano. That gives me 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25. The 16 and the 18 are nice to have. I don't need an 11 or 12. With the 6503 triple I have from 32 to 107 gear inches and nice tight spacing on the 52/42 chainrings.

Chain- KMC X10. It shifts better than the SRAM I'm also using. The sideplates seem to bulge out more and catch the teeth quicker.

Stem/Bars/wrap- Nitto or SR stem. Whatever 100mm forged aluminum quill stem I have laying around. Nitto B115 bars in 40cm. Whatever bar tape I have.

Lights- Planet Bike Superflash out back. Planet Bike Blaze up front.

Rack- Whatever that generic black aluminum one is I picked up at my LBS. No bling but works well.

Computer- Nothing too fancy. A $10 ebay special. I use my phone for GPS stuff.

I think I already own it, if you allow modern bikes. If a vintage bike is needed, my Peugeot PX10 will fit the description. It will get 700x32 Compass Stampeded Pass tires and a 3x7 drivetrain while keeping the Stronglight 93 Crankset and a Simplex derailleur.

This is my Pedal Force CX2. It's a great road bike alternative, 98% of the speed but twice the utility of a race bike. The larger 700x32 tires on the CX2 allow me to enjoy the smoother trails and gravel that are common in the Midwest. I also can just ride across the pot-holed and patched suburban streets without a concern. The bike will also take fenders and a rear rack. It's not what most people would describe as stylish, but that's not important when dependability is paramount.

The added inertia of the wheelset and larger tires does slow acceleration by a small amount, the bike is a little slower to wind up. However the actual overall difference in speed on my usual route is about 2% or about 0.35 mph compared to my road bike with HED wheels and 700x25 race tires.

However, the ride quality is exceptional. the bike feels solid and is very responsive, but the tires provide the right amount of suppleness that is very relaxing.

Frame- Carbon Fiber Cyclocross with room for 700x38 tires and double mounts for both fenders and a rack

Fork- Carbon fiber with a carbon fiber steerer.

Wheels- The Velocity A23/Shimano 105 are strong enough for all around use without being heavy

Tires- Vittoria Voyager Hyper

FD/RD- Shimano 105 5603 front, Deore rear

Crankset/Rings/BB- Shimano 5603 triple 50/39/26.

Cantilever Brakes - Tektro CR720.

Shifters- Shimano 5603

Saddle- Performance Forte comfortable and light

Pedals- Look.

Cassette- 12-30 10 speed Shimano Ultegra.

Bars- FSA Compact

Navigation- Garmin 800 & VIRB camera


http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l.../IMG_09601.jpg

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Sam Hillborne:
Bosco bars, B-17 Petscher rack, Sugino crank 46/30, 36/12 9spd, 105 hubs, 36 hold Cr18 rims, Pasela Tires, SKS fenders, Tektro brakes.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=420117
Marc

Santa Barbara would be choice, but it won't happen, too spendy. If Solano Beach is similar, that won't happen either. I don't need or even want to be on the ocean.

I do need a real city. If I want falafel at 10pm, I want to get falafel in 10 minutes, I don't want it in a while. I want a contemporary art museum, I love that stuff. I want a bocce club. Condo living also, I am done with yard work. A doorman would be ideal, but I understand not as common out west.

This bike would turn out nicely. I built a 1984ish 400 with a 10-speed 12-25 cassette and a 46 & 38 crankset that I had on hand. It was a great all-around bike.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...ictures015.jpg

It's probably my Boulder, with very few mods from what I'm riding now:

Frame: Boulder Brevet - I'm riding 700 x 32, but in this imaginary world I'd probably go with 650B instead
Headset: Miche Needlebearing
Fork: Boulder
Wheelset: So not the lightest, but my CR-18 rims have been pretty much bullet proof and since this would be my one and only bike that counts for a lot.
Tires: Compass
FD/RD: Ultegra 6700GS in the back is working just fine; 6207 up front
Crankset: currently running VO 48/34 compact with 170 cranks; this is a dream world, so I'll spend the bucks and go with Herse 46/30 x 171
BB: SKF
Calipers: I'm running Avid Shorties, which are a PIA to set up initially, but since they are set up and working well I'm not changing things.
Shifters: DA DT
Seatpost: Nitto S-84
Saddle/Seat bag: Easy choice - C17 Cambium, best saddle ever; I don't run a bag on this bike currently, but my Acorn is darned unbeatable. You don't mention front bag, so I'll add in that you'll have to pry my Swift Ozette Rando bag from my cold, dead ... um... front rack.
Pedals: Shimano M-324...although I really like the VP-001 pedals on my International...I might have to go with them for "the one bike that rules them all"
Cassette/Freewheel/Gearing: at least a 28 low, just cuz...probably 30 or 32
Stem/Bars/Wrap: Chris's Gran Cru Rando bar in 44 with Salsa wrap
Lighting: SON Edulux II paired with a SON front hub
Racks: I like my VO front and rear racks, so I'll keep 'em

Briefly support your decision. This is the most comfortable, best fitting bike I've ever owned. 'nuff said?

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/...297409f7_b.jpg

Lugged brushed stainless. Cantis (salmon) w room for bg rnr tires. Sugino 46-30 crank (external bb). Force 22 wifli. 3 sets of wheels w 28 road tires, 33/40 gravel Clements, bg rnr's. Thompson post w selle rolls. 40cm nitto noodles. Spd pedals. Racks and fenders when needed with all but the rnr's.

This looks extremely impractical for getting milk. Although I suppose you could fit a small bottle of it in the water bottle cage.

What tires on the 3 wheelsets? If you had to narrow it to one tire, which one?

Not true.

Add Revelator bags and it looks just about right to me.

My only other "must have" are eyelets for fenders.

It looks like there are eyelets for a rear rack and fenders, but I can't tell about the front.

Very cool bike.

You've just about described Alex's stainless allroader.

Alex at A Train really knows how to build this type of bicycle.

http://atraincycles.com/?portfolio=s...el-gravel-bike

http://atraincycles.com/wp-content/u...e-1024x768.jpg

Also, a Warbird ti gets you fairly close as well.

Add Revelate bags and clip on fenders and you are good to go, other than the discs.

http://blog.treefortbikes.com/wp-con...F-IMG_0683.jpg

Thanks, 2 pair of eyes on the back, nothing up front. If needed, I could add this rack to the front axle and canti bosses;

http://www.oldmanmountain.com/Pages/...nt_gallery.htm

Hmm
Son tb14 32s rims with Bruce Gordon rnr's for atv and off-road trails
Campy shamals w 40 Clements MSO 120 tpi for gravel (33's if hard pack)
campy shamals w conti 4000's (latest version) 25-28's on road.

If if you made me choose just one I'd go with shamals and a clement las clincher with shaved center.

assuming of course genie has an endless supply of proprietary wheel parts available.

Oh, man, too many decisions to make and no price guidelines. So wth, just give me one like what Jan Heine rides. Same size, just lower the bb by 6mm and shorten the cranks by the same amount. If that's too much hassle, just give me Jan’s bike. I can make do. He can even keep his saddle, I'll make my own.
Exploring Oregon in Gravel Style: Jan Heine's Bike, Built to Withstand Anything - Cyclocross Magazine - Cyclocross News, Races, Bikes, Photos, Videos

My Serotta/Winter could be built to fill this bill rather nicely.

I would go with the following build:

Frame- Serotta/Winter disc frameset
Headset- Chris King
Fork-Winter disc
Wheelset- XT hubs/DT spokes/A23s
Tires-Compass Chinook Pass with fenders or Stampede Pass w/o
FD/RD- XT front and rear
Crankset- White Industries VBC
Rings- Compact VBC
BB- White Industries
Calipers- TRP Spyres mechanical
Shifters-DA dt
Seatpost- Nitto S83
Saddle/Seat bag-Brooks Cambium
Pedals- Shimano XT or XTR
Cassette/Freewheel/Gearing-11/32
Chain or belt- SRAM chain
Stem/Bars/Wrap- Fairweather stem with Nitto Noodles with ESI or Fizik wrap
Lighting- Cateye 700 front and twin Super Blinkies for the rear
Racks-Revelate frame bag/Pika seatbag/twin Mountain bags- no hard racks are needed!
Nav/Cyclo- an iPhone mount is plenty good for me.

[IMG]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3933/...b50c2855_o.jpgUntitled by gomango1849, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG]https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3949/...ca6e2854_o.jpgUntitled by gomango1849, on Flickr[/IMG]

Outstanding choice.

It's gorgeous!

A 650b all rounder is a great candidate for a one bike does it all. My '93 B'stone XO-2 is a fine all rounder but obviously not as light or as tricked out as this bike. I really like my XO-2; there's a lot to be said for a bike that can take fat, plush tires.

I cannot...will not...play this game...I MUST have more than one!!!!!!!! :cry: