AlexGSU

She's almost completely finished. Tomorrow I'm picking up some leathered half-clips and water bottle cages, and then some fenders a little later. With my shoulder bag it's been perfect for my commute for the last week or so. I'm planning on throwing on a decent sized saddle bag and a front rack and bag for some day trips and 'bikenics' and such a little later down the road. Then when I have some extra cash and it's summertime I'll add a rear rack and some panniers and hopefully do some light touring!
Anyway let me know what you think of her so far! The ride is absolutely sweet and I love my current set up. (sorry for the terrible cluttered pictures)

ollyisk

nice looking ride!

i really like the bar tape, what brand/color is that?

Dustintendo

hey i was wondering what size your front chainring is? im gonna do the same thing to my bianchi volpe..turn it into a fast commuter and i want to get rid of the sissy triple crank

jhhall

Super sweet ride! I love that frame.

bluenote157

nice ride!

AlexGSU

Thanks everyone! The bar tape is Masi cork tape, i'm not sure what the color would be called.. cork? natural?
@Dustintendo the chainring is 42t. But I would probably keep the triple unless you really don't ever think you will use it or it is bothering you or not working properly or something. This set up is working great for me for commuting, but I might end up putting on a triple when I do some touring this summer, so just keep in mind what else you might use your bike for.

waynesworld

Beautiful bike!

What size cassette are you running with that 42t chainring? And what is the local geography like? I have a single front on my Felt, but it's pretty flat here in central Ohio. So far it hasn't been a problem. I've never actually counted them, but the site says mine has a 42 front, and an 11 - 30, 8 speed rear.

AlexGSU

Thank you! The cassette is an 11-34 9 speed. Atlanta's not flat but it isn't extremely hilly. I have yet to use the 34 and I have probably only used the 11 and the 30 a couple times each. I think the range is spot-on. I would think you would be fine with your set-up unless you were doing some steep climbing for a good distance or climbing with a large load.

Dustintendo

ah, yeah, the shifting on mine is always really screwy

Grim

Special Randonneur?
I love the color scheme on that bike. I'm seriously thinking of selling my 95 T700 and replace it with the Masi.

AlexGSU

This frame is actually called the Speciale Commuter, which I'm told is the same frame as the Randonneur, but a different color scheme. This frame and fork is also an '08, the newer commuters are white or blue. Out of this year's Masi's the Randonneur is definitely the best looking, shame they did away with the Root Beer scheme.


EDIT: Now that I look at the pictures again, I see the bike looks much more red in them, which is actually really close to the current Randonneur. I'll take some better pictures in the light, the color of this bike is actually "Root Beer"

gerv 

Very nice looking bike. For a lugged steel frame, it is unusual to see such a large down tube. I think the larger tubes allows them to use even lighter steel (?)


I'd be interested in this bike except that they only come in size 53 and 56cm.

Of course, I usually need a 54 or 55.

waynesworld

Yep. That's what I've found so far too. I don't think I've yet been in the 11, except when new to test, and same with the 30. This cassette with the 42 front really works great for me with the local geography. And not having a front derailleur/shifter is just great.

LeeG

cool, I've got a CrossCheck set up with a single 38t ring, guard and 11-28 8spd.

mijome07

Bashguard(s) are your friend.

waynesworld

My Felt has a chainguard, but those things look pretty cool.

AlexGSU

Yes, I am planning on getting one of these. I picked up some half-clips today, fenders and bashguard are next on the list.

mijome07

Two 36T BBG Superlights.