31 May 2009

Updated photo of my commuter


I'm pretty happy to have finally found a silver rear rack. I think the bike is starting to look really good. Next question is whether to service the rear wheel (and lose the plastic pie plate) or build new city wheels with an internal hubs. I go back and forth. Bike projects are fun though!

11 comments:

dr2chase said...

Not sure if it this helps, but I'm in the process of building up an SRAM 9-speed (internal) bike. I'll let you know how it goes. It's definitely a hunk-O-hub; it might fail the chic test (the spokes hit the rim at quite an angle, to my eye).

Certainly, you can come ride it and/or look at it; not sure the ride will help, since it's going on a cargo bike and thus it will be weird.

Vegan Yack Attack! said...

I love the color, great job on the build so far!

JPTwins said...

now that you have the elusive silver rack, you can tell us where you got it!

nice looking ride!

geoff

Carice said...

FWIW,
I love my internally geared hub, but it was my only option given my full chaincase.

Congratulations on finding the right rack.
I'm still longing for a Dutch Steco rack, so much so that in planning a trip to Barcelona, I'm considering trying to route through Amsterdam with enough of a layover to nip into a bike store...

Funny how there's always a next project on a bike...

Charlotte said...

Oh Geoff,
I just missed the silver rack at Bikes Not Bombs, I had to settle for one from eBay.
I really wanted the version that attached to the seatstays, not the brake bolt. If you're less picky there are more options.

Anonymous said...

great looking bike- I would go for the internal gear, if your budget would so allow.

The downside to the Gran Prix http://cratedig.blogspot.com/2008/04/raleigh-grand-prix-suburban-assault.htmlthat I built last year is its' external gearing, maybe I will get to that some day.

Cheers,
RB
townandcountrybiker.wordpress.com

antbikemike said...

Charlotte, Your bike is looking great. I love those racks [the front one is hard to find].
I would go for a internal gear hub and a front dyno hub with LED lamps and also fit a small chain guard too ;)
You could take a wheel building class at Broadway Bicycle and build your wheels during the class!

Charlotte said...

Mike, that means a LOT coming from you!

The racks took me a year and a half to find, they really are becoming rare.

I've been shopping for chainguards on eBay, however the one I liked was more dramatic than small. I thought it was a bit like jewelry, a pretty accessory.

Anon of Florida said...

Rivendell is selling a front version of the classic Pletcher rack. http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/bags_and_racks#product=20-193

Anonymous said...

I have a great Nitto rear rack that was a hand me down -- what is your front rack? My bike is all silver so I'm lookin for a silver front rack!

Charlotte said...

Mine is a Blackburn front rack. They're pretty hard to find these, and getting close in price to the Nitto, or at least closer than they were for a long time.