Okay guys and girls - another shift in my thinking coming up.

I've been looking for the "Ultimate Bike" as you well know and for me that would be a bike that does everything well, or you might say a good "all-rounder." I'm not talking full off-road, as I have a daul suspension MB for that. What I mean is a bike that is lively, comfortable, stable, and that I can ride on paved trails, roadways (smooth or bumpy), and the occasional hard packed trail for commuting and long weekend adventures (and possibly longer - much longer, but I wouldn't design the bike for that since that is a small part of my riding). I'm not interested in thick sand, heavy roots and rocks, or drop offs, as again that would be considered "full off-road" for me.

I've been looking at Rando bikes (that is Randonneur bikes) lately and am starting to take a liking to them. They appear to be smooth for longer rides, comfortable for all rides, and fairly "fast" and lively. Lastly, if done properly they can look great (in my eyes) with straight top tubes, drop bars, and other items I find appealing.

The Rando bike I've been looking at lately (and talked to the builder about yesterday) is the Terraferma with 650B wheels. It has a bias towards front loading of up to about 25 pounds - as that is what I'm told allows the bike to continue to feel stable for the Brevets. Something like this, but with my touches - https://terrafermacycles.com/corsa-650b.html . I like the fenders and the 650B option (as long as I can get a good set of Schwalbe tires). I know the 650B is a long discussion thread, but wouldn't mind hearing from you on this.

I've been looking to build the ultimate bike with discs, but I've seen one Rando bike with them and it looked very odd. It might have been the rake in the front fork with the disc. Discs look good with straight forks though.

Also, I've thought much (but not done yet) about frame materials. I love the SS looks and ease of care, as well as same for Ti. However, I keep coming back to steel as the best value and possibly the best ride characteristics (although that will likely be debated for many years). I just need to get my mind back around the frame "care" thing - that is the potential for paint to chip and scratch. Maybe powder coating would work better - dunno...

Any thoughts or opinions on a Rando bike with 650Bs?

A few thoughts...

I'm glad my mention of Terraferma might help! I don't know Terraferma's work, but I do know two people on the forum who have his bikes and are fans...I can put you in touch if you'd like. I think his prices are attractive, but his aesthetics aren't my thing (that's obviously subjective).

The only 650b bike I've ever had is my triplet...those wheels run quite well. Not much input, sorry.

Powder coating could be a GREAT option - and some powder coaters do a fantastic job. We have one near me called Bonehead Performance...they're a little pricier than most, but their work was terrific. My wife is tough on bikes and her powdercoat has held up very well. I'll post a photo and could do some close ups later if you're interested. I'd gladly facilitate or help out and I've had folks who see my wife's bike say it's the best powder coating they've seen. Bonehead does a LOT of bikes, and I think that helps.

There's a painter in PA called Fresh Frames...they did the paint on my Bilenky. It's probably the nicest paint job I've seen (and that includes Joe Bell, Ed Litton, Southwest) and it's thick and pretty durable with a TON of clear on it. It's help up to sign leaning and abuse pretty well, though not as well as a powder coat will. They won't deal with you, but they might deal with Mike if you're interested (I'll post a photo).

Steel is definitely the least expensive if you buy new - and it holds its value better as well. If this isn't a "price is no object" build, powder coat would be a very smart option IMO.

I'd talk to Dave Kirk about a sports tourer build...his work is, IMO, exceptional. He'll probably be considerably more pricey, but he's also a more established builder.

If you want a really cool, unique touch...consider a custom headbadge by Jen Green. Her stuff is very high quality, reasonable and FUN.

I know you know this, but don't forget the most important thing on the wheel are the tires - regardless of size.









From Fresh Frames:

Aaron:

That is a pretty cool Hello Kitty bike badge, but alas I don't think I'm man enough to be able to sport that!

BTW - I have some very cool older head badges to choose from and that might look cool (or not).

I have enjoyed researching the frame builders from the links you provided. I have Friday off and I may drive over to talk with Terraferma and get a feel for what they have. About $2,500 for the frame and $75 for the fitting (from another guy).

A rando bike is a good all-rounder option, over that of a townie if you want a bit more distance and utility built in. Some other options I would check into:

https://shop.boxdogbikes.com/collecti...pelican-winter
They seem to be a bit limited on sizes right now, but I would guess that could change in the future. They seem to order in batches with these

https://www.renehersebicycles.com/Randonneur%20bikes.htm

https://www.rawlandcycles.com/store/i...intItemID=3960
The larger frames are 700c, but a great value from what I hear.

https://oceanaircycles.com/bicycles/rambler/
It comes with Paul racer brakes.

Jason_H
It’s funny that I was all over the Boulder Bike site last night, and this morning you reference them! Thanks for the links – I went online to Bikeforums this morning to ask you all for more input and there was your post.

Also, Aaron has provided links to many hours of reading and research – thanks to him too.

After reading the site for Rawland I came to think about the bikes we often ride. He was riding on two Bridgestones growing up and I wonder how much of that was influenced by the brand selection that the LBS had. I know I grew up around Dawes and never heard of many of the bikes I hear about now.

So that brings me to a question to ponder. Have I been riding “standard” bikes all my life because they are great bikes, or because they are what have been available and that I was made aware of? I see these Rando bikes as some great riding machines, with all who write about them seemingly loving what they are on. Am I not riding one simply because they were never available and therefore not mainstream? In other words, where have they been all my life?! Are they really a great “all-rounder” that would suit me well?

Honestly - I think it's trends and marketing; rando is hot now. There are plenty of bikes that make great all arounders and the slight variations determine what is most ideal, but most are plenty suited to 95% + of what they'll be up against. Cyclocross, 80s style sports tourers, XO-1s, converted MTB platforms, full tourers built up like sports tourers...you name it.

For me - these cover pretty much anything they could come up against...

I'll agree that it's all trends and marketing. However, I'll have to disagree that many of the bikes being touted as "all around" commuters are actually useful as commuters. They can be made to work...I have a cyclocross that I use for commuting, among others...but I've never understood the reluctance of people to use bikes that are purpose built for carrying loads on a stable platform. One would think that a bike designed to carry 50 or 60 lb for years on end would appeal to people who carry more to work than I carry for a month long tour. But touring bikes are almost never suggested as a commuting platform.

I don't know - my tourer is a great commuter and I see others using them too. Lots of people in town use LHT's as commuters (I despise them, but they are good commuters). I think the LHT has soured people on tourers as bikes they want to ride unloaded because they ride so freaking badly...many tourers don't handle like battle ships and are fun to use unloaded.

I like my MTB conversion above a lot because it blends in, will never get scratched, has a little pep and handles bumps well...but the Koga is a more comfortable bike and can handle a lot more weight.

The Koga above is just an absolute dream to own...other than speed/weight, it really has almost no limitations. They built that sucker WELL (and it doesn't hurt that I love the paint scheme). If I HAD to find fault, I prefer the aesthetics of a fork crown, but that's petty.

Now that you point that out it is odd that a lugged frame came without a fork crown.

Aaron have you heard of a bike called the Kona Craven? I probably spelled that wrong, but it was mentioned to me last week and I have yet to find it, or reconform it with the LBS owner.

I haven't heard of that one, though I am familiar with Kona.

A lot of lugged bikes went to unicrown forks in the late 80s/early 90s.

[QUOTE=ninevictor;15969788]Ridefreemc, I like your taste in ultimate bikes!

Here's my ultimate commuter:

KVA MS2 stainless steel frame
Gates Carbon Drive
Shimano Alfine 11 Di2
BB7 S Road disc brakes
Stan's ZTR Alpha 340 Disc tubeless rims
Hutchison Secteur 28c tubeless tires


Hey, what fork are you using on this bike and how big/wide of tire will fit and would it work to put a fender on it? I am wondering if this would work on the Four Seasons Expat SL (Seven) I am working on a build for? Thanks ninevictor!

Bizman

It's called a Raijin. https://konaworld.com/raijin.cfm

I wasn't looking in their MTB area/section. Either way, that's not what I'm looking for.

The fork is a Whiskey Parts Co No. 7: https://whiskyparts.co/catalog/forks

According to their page it will support a 51mm tire. I currently am using 28c with fenders.

Not my post so sorry to butt in, but I saw #9s only, and no place to mount a fender.

Ninvictor you are getting some gawking at that nice looking ride!

Their webpage is a little un-intuitive. Look a little harder in the link I posted and you'll see #7 :

I see that now - thanks. When you scroll over the #7 box below the big display the curser does not respond (with the little hand). When you click it though it pops up with the #7 fork.

I want one of those!

My Hunqapillar, I can ride it to work, the grocery store, Katmandu and anywhere in between.



Marc

Marc:

I was on their website yesterday - looking at the Hungapillar, the A.Homer Hilsen, and the Sim Hillborne. Did you ride or compare the Hung with these others? Can you provide any input relative to other bikes you've ridden or researched? If not, can you let us know what it is about the Hungapillar that you like, and that you love?

Thanks for clearing that up, and what a coinsidence it is a No 7 and I would put it on a seven bike, how cool! I am not familiar with this brand but will be checking it out. Do you have any pictures of yours with the fenders on it? Thanks again ninevictor!

No pictures with fenders, but I'm using Planet Bike Cascadia fenders. I don't like how the bike looks with fenders and since I'm in Southern California I have the luxury of leaving them off the bike for 355 days/year. I'll take pics the next time I put the fenders on.

How is this different from other rigid MTB frames/expedition tourers?

The biggest difference is the comfort and handling. It is more comfortable on a full day tour than my Surly LHT, but it handles more like a heavy duty mountain bike. After owning it for a year, I bought a Sam Hillborne because I wanted a lighter, faster version with the same geometry. I would pick the Hunq over the Sam because it is ultimately more versatile since it will accept tires up to 55mm and has a stronger tubeset.

Marc

No problem and I understand having no pictures as you don't have much of a need for fenders in your area. The pictures of the fork on the Whiskey Parts website are a little unclear as to where the mounting points are and I was just curious to see what yours looked like and how they mounted. I also plan to use the Planet Bike Cascadia Fenders on this build.

I hope to be building my ultimate commuter using the Four Seasons Expat SL and plan to ride it through rain, sleet, and snow, (and nice weather too!) so fenders for me are a must as well as atleast 35mm studded tires for the winter.

There are mounts at the end of each fork blade and a center mount on the back side of the fork "crown" completely sufficient for mounting the Cascadia fenders.