When this bike was on display at the Bike Cult Show in NYC in August, the first thing anyone did was reach for the brake levers. They are new levers based on an old style called guidonnet (from the French word “guidon” for handlebar). In conjunction with the brazed on MAFAC Racer brakes with modern pads, they work amazingly well. The shape allows the rider to apply the brakes when on the tops or the bends of the bar. When in the drops on a downhill, I was shown that you can actually feather the brake by twisting your wrist and using the upper base of your thumb on the underside of the lever. These levers also allow the frame builder to use a slightly longer top tube to allow for adequate toe clearance with the front fender. A great touring lever in my opinion.
Aside from the touring specific levers, this bike also has integrated Supernova E3 lights and full nickel plated custom racks with removable lowrider attachments. There is a matching Lezyne pump on the seat stay and a set of replacement spokes on the driveside chainstay that also act as a chain slap protector. There is an 8-speed drivetrain that will last thousands more miles than a 10-speed version. And the vintage Avocet half-step crankset with 28 tooth granny gear will help Pascal get up some steep hills. To match the crankset, there is a set of vintage black leather Avocet toe straps and I sewed on a set of black leather toe clip leathers as well.
Of all the details that will probably go unnoticed, a whale carving in the bottom bracket is probably at the top of the list. Pascal asked for a whale to be incorporated into the frame somehow and the bottom bracket seemed like a suitable place. And myself being from New Bedford sealed the deal on that one.
See the full slideshow of pictures.
Pascal’s cyclotouring bike
October 11, 2014
When this bike was on display at the Bike Cult Show in NYC in August, the first thing anyone did was reach for the brake levers. They are new levers based on an old style called guidonnet (from the French word “guidon” for handlebar). In conjunction with the brazed on MAFAC Racer brakes with modern pads, they work amazingly well. The shape allows the rider to apply the brakes when on the tops or the bends of the bar. When in the drops on a downhill, I was shown that you can actually feather the brake by twisting your wrist and using the upper base of your thumb on the underside of the lever. These levers also allow the frame builder to use a slightly longer top tube to allow for adequate toe clearance with the front fender. A great touring lever in my opinion.
Aside from the touring specific levers, this bike also has integrated Supernova E3 lights and full nickel plated custom racks with removable lowrider attachments. There is a matching Lezyne pump on the seat stay and a set of replacement spokes on the driveside chainstay that also act as a chain slap protector. There is an 8-speed drivetrain that will last thousands more miles than a 10-speed version. And the vintage Avocet half-step crankset with 28 tooth granny gear will help Pascal get up some steep hills. To match the crankset, there is a set of vintage black leather Avocet toe straps and I sewed on a set of black leather toe clip leathers as well.
Of all the details that will probably go unnoticed, a whale carving in the bottom bracket is probably at the top of the list. Pascal asked for a whale to be incorporated into the frame somehow and the bottom bracket seemed like a suitable place. And myself being from New Bedford sealed the deal on that one.
See the full slideshow of pictures.