all ’rounder bike

History

A gallery of historic and (re)new(ed) all ’round bikes

Rationale

There is a need for down-to-earth, un-branded, handmade bikes to fill the widening gap between (in)expensive mass-produced name-brand bikes and very expensive boutique handmade bikes.

Modular Bike

All bikes use the same steel frame, cranks, BB, seatpost, and breaks
•    wide spot in chainstay for fat tires
•    650B or 32×700c
•    cantilever breaks or long caliper brakes
•    quill with adjustable height
•    long wheelbase for pannier-heel clearance (but watch the top tube length)
•    simple brushed metal with clear coat or earth tone powder coat
•    gearing: 5-speed freewheel (cheap) or Shimano nexus 8-speed (more expensive)
•    bike sizes: 50, 53, 56, 59, 62 cm

Variations on a theme

Bike Naked – fast all ’rounder
•    standard fork
•    randonnee or standard handlebars
•    Shimano tiagra road bike levers
•    Down tube shifters
•    Road bike saddle (ex: Brooks B17)
•    No clipless pedals

Safety Bicycle – sturdy all ‘rounder
•    Less trail and shallower fork angle than normal (but still in the “safety” range)
•    Very short stem for old-timey feel
•    old Raleigh or porteur handlebars (ex: Nitto Albatross cro-moly)
•    Tektro mtb break levers (cheap but good)
•    Flat top leather saddle (ex: Brooks B68; for sitting up straight and tall)
•    BMX platform pedals