New Commuter Bike

Jimbo · #1 12-23-2014, 05:03 PM

Hello All:
Thought some of you might get a kick out of my new commuter bike. Its a 2002 Litespeed Blue Ridge. Build kit is a mishmash of orphaned parts including Campy 8sp drive train, wheels built with Hope hubs, SKS Longboard fenders. The Look Stem will only stay on till I get sizing figured out.
I'm faculty at the University of Utah and a daily commuter. When the bike came without decals I saw my chance to display a little Ute Pride! Painted the fork with three coats of red and two coats of clear from rattle cans. The downtube sticker is a little over the top but it was the best option I could find. Still need something for the top tube.
Cheers,
Jim
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thirdgenbird · #2 12-23-2014, 05:13 PM

I know it's not important on a commuter, but if it looks this good already...

It looks pretty darn well planned for orphaned parts. Don't spoil it with a black stem, the silver is working. Your current black touches are well balanced.

I approve.

Cicli · #3 12-23-2014, 05:15 PM

Looks like a fun commuter.

Nice bike.

Jimbo · #4 12-23-2014, 07:24 PM

Thanks. I agree about keeping the black to a minimum. Given that I will want a lot of rise, I will probably go with the Dimension silver. May also switch to some old school XT silver brakes.
Cheers,
Jim

Quote:

Originally Posted by thirdgenbird

I know it's not important on a commuter, but if it looks this good already...

It looks pretty darn well planned for orphaned parts. Don't spoil it with a black stem, the silver is working. Your current black touches are well balanced.

I approve.

thirdgenbird · #5 12-23-2014, 08:06 PM

That should work nicely. The black brakes don't bother me. It seems well balanced with the headset, seat colar, and small ring.

bobswire · #6 12-23-2014, 08:16 PM

Nice job on the build, depending on length and stack you want to achieve you may want check out FSA Metropolis Stem. http://www.modernbike.com/product-21...MrcaArkI8P8HAQ

Found a cheaper link. http://www.ebay.com/itm/FSA-Metropol...item5414e44001

gemship · #7 12-23-2014, 08:16 PM

Nice looking rig. I like the down tube sticker, very catchy for you. I bet you will get lots of compliments from all.

I am kinda of jealous...about to spend a hefty sum of 100$ on a nice barely clean and used Giant mtn. bike for my "winter beater bike". It's not really what I want to be riding but for the money and my budget I can't go wrong. Plus I want to get a utility trailer and make it my second car should my truck break down.

Jimbo · #8 12-23-2014, 08:59 PM

Thanks, I really like that one! Much nicer looking with the riser on the steer side.
EDIT: Bummer, 31.8 only! Anything similar for 26.0? I don't like to use shims if I don't have to.
Cheers,
Jim

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobswire

Nice job on the build, depending on length and stack you want to achieve you may want check out FSA Metropolis Stem. http://www.modernbike.com/product-21...MrcaArkI8P8HAQ

Found a cheaper link. http://www.ebay.com/itm/FSA-Metropol...item5414e44001

Ken Robb · #9 12-23-2014, 09:16 PM

How is the steering with such a short effective length stem?

thirdgenbird · #10 12-23-2014, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

How is the steering with such a short effective length stem?

From the hoods, it might be pretty normal. Those bars have way more reach than modern short/shallow bars. On the other end, I've got a bike with a 140mm stem and bars with 100mm reach.

Jimbo · #11 12-23-2014, 10:23 PM

Dunno yet, only finished the build today. Will probably take it out over the next few days and take along a 6mm allen key in case I want to adjust the stem.
My thought was that I wanted to set it up so that the hoods were in pretty close. I'm used to commuting with mustache bars but wanted to try this set up. I can always pull out the mustache bars again.
Cheers,
Jim

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Robb

How is the steering with such a short effective length stem?