Madmax1993
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Abstract:
I've been running my Voodoo Wanga MTB as a 700c rigid hybrid/gravel/commuter/bikepacking bike for several years after retiring it as my handrail MTB. It has served me well, but the frame is a bit small and a bit heavy for my (mostly) tarmac touring needs.
The other bike I'm going to (hopefully) replace with the Space Horse is my late 80s British Eagle Reynolds 531 retro-mod road bike.
Introduction:
I have set out to build a versatile steel bike that has the aesthetic of a retro road bike, but with modern standards (like they axles and disk brakes), wider tyre clearance and rack/mudguard mounts. I intend to swap between drop bar and riser bar configs initially, although if I like one format over the other, I may decide to leave one set up by the wayside.
Method:
After agonising over the choice of frame set, I decided the All City Space Horse was the closest aesthetic fit, so a deal was done on eBay and it arrived last week.
I've bought a Mavic Aksium wheelset to get me going with 700x40 tyres, and the plan is to get a lighter wheelset to run 700x28 tyres on for roadie days out.
I'm using flat bar Deore level post mount brakes for now, with Flat mount adaptors.
For the groupset, the eventual goal is 2x11 with a subcompact double chainset. I like the idea of a Shimano CUES groupset for longevity (this will be a workhorse after all) but the GRX groupset would be more premium, although not as hard wearing.
Swapping the hydraulics over from drop bar STI levers to flat bar ones might make the hot-swapping of my handlebars a bit of a pain in the arse, but I like the idea of having a flared drop bar setup for roadie days and a riser bar for cruising comfort.
I've never given much thought to luggage racks, saddle bags and mudguards before, but with this being a decidedly 'fancy' build, by my standards, I want to give nice, aesthetically sympathetic accessories, so I'm thinking one of the narrower Tortec rear racks, possibly a Tubus Grand Expedition front rack, and Kinesis FendOff aluminium mudguards. I'm thinking of a boutique tool wrap style saddle bag, possibly in leather or canvas for that retro vibe.
I hope you enjoy these ramblings so far, although I know I'm perhaps trying too hard to make a Swiss army knife rather than just have multiple different bikes.
More to follow...
I've been running my Voodoo Wanga MTB as a 700c rigid hybrid/gravel/commuter/bikepacking bike for several years after retiring it as my handrail MTB. It has served me well, but the frame is a bit small and a bit heavy for my (mostly) tarmac touring needs.
The other bike I'm going to (hopefully) replace with the Space Horse is my late 80s British Eagle Reynolds 531 retro-mod road bike.
Introduction:
I have set out to build a versatile steel bike that has the aesthetic of a retro road bike, but with modern standards (like they axles and disk brakes), wider tyre clearance and rack/mudguard mounts. I intend to swap between drop bar and riser bar configs initially, although if I like one format over the other, I may decide to leave one set up by the wayside.
Method:
After agonising over the choice of frame set, I decided the All City Space Horse was the closest aesthetic fit, so a deal was done on eBay and it arrived last week.
I've bought a Mavic Aksium wheelset to get me going with 700x40 tyres, and the plan is to get a lighter wheelset to run 700x28 tyres on for roadie days out.
I'm using flat bar Deore level post mount brakes for now, with Flat mount adaptors.
For the groupset, the eventual goal is 2x11 with a subcompact double chainset. I like the idea of a Shimano CUES groupset for longevity (this will be a workhorse after all) but the GRX groupset would be more premium, although not as hard wearing.
Swapping the hydraulics over from drop bar STI levers to flat bar ones might make the hot-swapping of my handlebars a bit of a pain in the arse, but I like the idea of having a flared drop bar setup for roadie days and a riser bar for cruising comfort.
I've never given much thought to luggage racks, saddle bags and mudguards before, but with this being a decidedly 'fancy' build, by my standards, I want to give nice, aesthetically sympathetic accessories, so I'm thinking one of the narrower Tortec rear racks, possibly a Tubus Grand Expedition front rack, and Kinesis FendOff aluminium mudguards. I'm thinking of a boutique tool wrap style saddle bag, possibly in leather or canvas for that retro vibe.
I hope you enjoy these ramblings so far, although I know I'm perhaps trying too hard to make a Swiss army knife rather than just have multiple different bikes.
More to follow...
