gus6464

My wife is wanting a flat bar commuter to go the store, library, around town etc. She doesn't care for a bike with a triple front like a Trek FX and wants single ring up front so I thought about putting something together with a CX frame. My question though is whether I can run something like Shimano Zee on a CX frame? This is basically what I was thinking about:

Planet-X Kaffenback disc frame and fork (has 135mm rear hub spacing)
Shimano Zee 68mm english crankset 36T
Shimano Zee wide ratio rear derailleur
Shimano 11-32 cassette
Zee rear shifter
Avid BB5 disc brakes
Mavic Crossride Disc 29" wheelset (QR version for front and rear)
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/ma...-29in-wheelset
Schwalbe Marathon Plus 32c tires

mconlonx

Overkill for what she wants/needs, but if you want to build it for her...

If you're going through that much trouble, I'd go real wide range on the rear if there's any hills anywhere she might ride, to an 11-36 cass. Otherwise, I don't think there's any compatibility issues. Maybe at the BB -- you'll need to sort the spacers out, which will not be optional if the Kaffenback has 68mm BB, where the Zee is made to fit at least 73mm mtn standard.

Also, I'd pay pretty careful attention to the geometry, cross frame vs. a hybrid frame -- your wife may be looking for a more upright ride than the CX frame can realistically provide.

thenomad

should work fine but be sure you have a chain guide of some sort to avoid the chain dropping off the front. You can use a medium, possibly short cage rear derailleur as long as it'll fit the 32 in the rear and it'll keep the chainline tighter than using a long cage. (you won't be pulling as much chain as with a triple)

That setup sounds like it'll be a very nice, townie, more like the Schwarzenegger of townies.

However:

Your choice of parts for a new build has me wondering if you are choosing them because its the type of bike/components you know and not because its the best build for the task?
The frame is a road position frame, level top tube, beefy steel, heavier disc brakes, beefy wheels and tires, heavier crank and you still have to add the racks and fenders etc. It would look very utilitarian, but also devoid of "style". Sounds like it'd be

With the money you'd spend on the build I think you could put together a similar bike that is much lighter and more classy looking.
Regular rim V brakes are lighter and work fine, you can use a quality lightweight road wheelset, lighter aluminum frame and fork, maybe a sloping top tube compact frame for ease of mounting when the rear rack is full (even vintage steel frame mixte) and lightweight SS crank and a full chainguard, racks and bags/baskets.

There are a lot of options out there in the city bike range that look really nice and have the specific needs of a city bike addressed.

Google "Cycle Chic" and take a look at the pics for inspiration?
Trek Belleville
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...ek/belleville/
Bianchi Milano
https://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/strada/turismo/milano/
Winsor Kensington 8
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ensington8.htm

mconlonx

Just a quick note: Trek Belleville is no longer a current bike and I think all the closeouts are gone as well. New Trek bike which might fit the bill just fine, maybe even better, is the Trek Steel District:

gus6464

Oh wow that is exactly the bike she is wanting. I will have to call my local Trek dealer to see if they have one. Thanks for that super find.

mconlonx

Sweet!

We have one built in our shop, so they should be available through a Trek dealer... unless the initial shipment is all gone already. ...just checked with Trek and most smaller sizes are gone: find a shop who has one now and you are in luck; more bikes due in late Jan/early Feb, and then another shipment coming in for Mar.

treadtread

Sounds like she just needs a Giant Via - https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...specifications