Bling! The thingy for your straddle cable even matches the bike. Well played sir.

1996 Raleigh Talon CX- Fixed up for townie/commuter duty

Last Friday I went over to Daley Plaza for Bike-to-Work Day. My wife pointed out the guy at the Dark Matter tent photo-bombing me.
Then I went to work.
Steve

EDIT: Tilt head to left to see the Picasso in its normal orientation.

Wow, that's a gorgeous bike! Don't you love the ES frame? I got one used on eBay and built it with cheap stuff as a housewarming present for my brother. Since we're the same size I took a few rides on it, and I think it's probably my favorite frame I've ever ridden.

Sweet ride

Ohio Trekker:
That bike must weigh like a 100 lbs you must have some legs of TITANIUM. LOL
More Power too you I couldn't bare to ride something so heavy everyday.

Yes, I love this frame. I was all about the crabon fibber, but I think it'll be steel for me.

Just installed an Origin8 porteur rack on my Jamis Aurora. Have always liked the way they look but bunjeeing my work tote was a pain today. May go back to the trusted Wald 137.

Here's my Soma Fog Cutter, 61cm. I'm 6' 3" with a 36" inseam. I've had it since January 2017 with approximately 1000 miles on it. Put it together with a mix of old components transferred from past rigs along with some new parts that I'd been interested in trying out. The TRP Spyre calipers are a nice evolution beyond the BB7. I'm using the 32mm Panaracer Gravelkings. I have not been happy with them, too many punctures including my first ever double flat. I've installed a set of Mr. Tuffy's and have been really surprised by their performance. The frame is a keeper. The Tange tubeset is legit, plenty of clearance for 32mm tires and fenders, and double rear eyelets. My only complaint is that the paint job is not very durable.

Very nice bike. I think that is the first Fog Cutter I've seen built-up and I like your component choices. Sorry to hear the paint is fragile but I like the color a lot.

-Shin

My trusted daily commuter. 80's Cilo.

Wow! Those are some crazy straight handlebars

Fixed commuter/townie got a dynamo upgrade.

Pedalroom for more glamor shots.

My old/new commuter. I've had this bike for three years, but never ride it mostly because I don't want to scratch it up and it has gravel tires on it. This week I decided to put my beater commuter aside for a while and get this puppy some action. I decided not to put a rear rack on it because I've got a nice roadrunner commuter backpack (for carrying my laptop which I carry regardless because I don't trust panniers) and also all my other bikes have rear racks. I've been holding a Nitto front rack and a Velo Orange handlebar bag for a couple of years with the intent to use them on my rando rides (not really into randonneuring) so figured I'd put it on this bike so I could carry my work shoes and lunch in without a rear pannier. I've updated it a bit. It's been converted from down-tube shifters to bar ends (using riv pods), Brooks saddle, and has a deore xt rear derailleur (came with it when I purchased it). It's one hell of a smooth ride:

Congratulations on a super nice build. I'm curious about that horn.

The horn is a Delta Airzound. https://deltacycle.com/airzound-horn

I've been using it about 3 years and at this point, I'm not entirely comfortable commuting without it. The thing is incredibly loud, almost obnoxious, and not passive. I mostly limit its use to the major suburban streets, when I'm in traffic, have a green light, and passing through big intersections at hi-speed. Sometimes I go railroad style and offer up a long blast just to let people know I'm coming. The horn's impact is striking. Drivers immediately take notice. It's a helpful tool when someone is attempting a left/right hook.

The tank pressurizes to about 80psi and lasts about 10 rides. Mounting can get a little creative but it's worth it. To me, the horn is as critical as decent lights. You should get one.

I love your Miyata. It looks like the ultimate urban gravel grinder! The front bag and rack are perfect. I'm very fond of VO products. It a great color of red too! If I may ask, what size tires are they? 32?

Thanks!

-Shin

Yes, that miyata is fantastic! I'm a big fan of paint schemes that highlight lugwork. And fluted seatposts.

Those chainrings are so close in size, you might as well remove one and simplify/lighten by taking off the FD and shifter. Keep the inner and add a bashguard maybe.

Thanks! I love the color scheme as well. The attention to detail on it is pretty phenomenal. I've got 700X35mm rolling on it now. I'll swap the tires out for something a little more street friendly this week once I grab a pair I've got sitting in storage.

Thanks, glad you're diggin' it. The crank is one of those half-step/bio-pace deals. I'll likely just leave it or maybe swap it for a sugino compact sometime in the future

This isn't really a commuter bike, but I do ride it to work when there is 0% chance of rain, which lately, has been very rare. I swapped out the Fizik Arionne saddle for this B17. More vintage look. Also adjusted the brake levers to optimize their use in the drops. Not really ideal for riding in the hoods.
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I'm in total agreement with everything you said ^^. My horn is a "Blast" (Blast? Airhorn | BioLogic Bicycle Accessories and Bike Gear) which looks like a re-branded Airzound. Everyting you said is true.

My only recommendation would be to locate the horn close enough to one of the grips so that you don't have to take your hand off the bar to operate it.
Steve

Beautiful frame! Reminds me of this:



and this:

Yeah, that kind of colour scheme was popular back in the 80's.

+2. Is that an intentional photobomb?