So, after aroud 3 years of waiting, watching, sniffing out parts at reasonable prices and organising the re-paint and decals, etc.
Its now on the road.
Its my city bike and I’m commuting on it this week, enjoying our fine English summer time weather.

The idea was to have a disc brake, any weather, bike that I can pop to the shops, pub, wherever.

Coming in at 11 Kg.

EDIT.

I haven’t completely finished it.
Need a new stem, hence why the steerer hasn’t been cut back yet.
But its rideable.

Hahahahahahaahha excellent troll! That thing is truely hideous. I especially like the shifter/levers great touch! The excess steerer is also a touch of class.

Cheers.

I happen to like it.

Its a planet-X uncle John frame and Boardman Carbon disc-fork.
XT crank.
XT Dual Control Levers.
700c wheels, DT spokes, Hope hubs and Open pro rims.

I suppose if I had put drop bars on it, then it could pass for a CX bike.
Which the frame is.

Try thinking of it as a CX bike with risers and hydraulic brakes.

is that beam carpeted?

I’d probably go for flat bars but otherwise I think it looks exactly right for what you want to use it for 🙂

I’m struggling to read the sponsors name, though 😉

Wwaswas.

Thats where I keep it locked up at work.
Those beams appear to have been spray coated in some form of concrete.
Then the concrete seems to have been flattened off a bit to reduce the skin graph factor.

Thanks for the comments, you are 100 percent correct about the useage.
This bike is about easy trips out to anywhere, not too far.
Just taking in the rays, relaxed transportation.
Which is why I’ve gone for risers as I want to sit fairly upright.

The decals came out a bit larger than I really wanted.
The people who cut then kinda stretched the letters which has messed up the font.
Can’t win them all.

too many posh bits for a leave it anywhere bike …. although no ones gonna steal the bike as its gopping – job well done !

too many posh bits for a leave it anywhere bike

Measures have been taken.
😉

I guess this one is down to beauty being in the eye of the builder ?.

Thats exactly what I’m looking at building up for commuting.
Need to cart a laptop though, so looking at a rack & panniers or some other means of carting a very heavy laptop around.

Any issues with the calipers & the supports for the guards ?

I guess this one is down to beauty being in the eye of the builder

Well – as long as you like it, then can I be the first to congratulate you on creating a bike that’s more ugly than me.

Which does probably make it perfect as a pub bike……

If you’re happy and it hits the spot then good on you, you’re the owner so it should make you happy and it obviously does. It is a bit ugly though. Not quite ugly enough to become good looking either.

Cheers.

All comments are fine by me. 🙂

Takisawa2.
This is it, its an urban bike, with commuting and pub visits in mind.
I’ve a head down / arse up road bike and a full bounce 120mm travel MTB.
None of those are really useful when I want to potter about the city, as they are all trimmed up, lean and mean.

However, I was pleasantly surprized to see the bike come in at 11Kg.

I realise its not the prettiest bike in the world.
Although for why, I can’t quite put my finger on.
But I was fed up getting caught in rain and receiving a soggy rear end, etc.
While also experiencing he joys of rim brakes in the wet.
Also, the bars probably don’t help the visuals.
But I want to sit up, relax and just cruise along.
Perhaps if I’d had some mary bars or something similar ?.

Any issues with the calipers and the supports for the guards ?

No more than putting a slight bend into the mudguard stays.
I’ve placed the rear mudguard so that the caliper piston cylinder pokes between the two stays.

The front needed a bit more bending on the caliper side.
So I introduced a dog-leg bend into the front mudguard stays.

So, as its generally regarded as being a bit on the ugly side.

Suggestions on how I could change the look for the better.

One final point.
Because of the relaxed nature with which I intend to cruise around on this bike.
It puts a smile on my face.
It doesn’t just transport me, slowly, from A to B.

It lifts the spirit on sunny days like these just to mooch along, surveying creation, without a care about when I arrive.
Priceless.

😀

11kg? really?!!

Happy you like it OP but that has to be one of the ugliest bikes pictured on here, ever.

Mmmm, I’ve never heard of luminous lights, think I may pop over to their site right now and have a look….chinny reckon…

Its not a pretty machine which you’d think might theft proof it, but then it’s dripping in XT which will attract the thieving little monkeys…

Rather than building a CX bike up with discs and risers would it not have been easier, more expedient and cheaper to just buy a rigid 29er and fit CX tyres?

I reckon this bike…

…is slightly better looking than yours, but otherwise nice one. Glad you’ll enjoy it 😀

Kayak – that is well nice but you’ve forgotten to slap your web address on in sticker form…

I’d have waited for the website to be launch before unleashing the beast on the world.

I think it’s the stem spacers, stem, riser bar, chunky lever combo that makes it look odd. I’d have gone for a bigger frame and a short stem with a lower saddle height. Also, forks look a bit out of place, old fashioned curved steel ones would be better IMO. Having said all that I quite like it and it’s good to see function put before form for once.

It puts a smile on my face

Me too

Nicknoxx.

Thanks for your constructive remarks.
I do want a shorter stem.
Once I’ve sourced one, then I can sort the spacers.
I don’t think my camera skillz have helped to embelish the bike.
The Frame is a Large, which is the usual size I go for, being 6′ 1″ tall.
I agree about the fork, but I wanted a disc compatible fork and all I could find at the time was a carbon fork from the USA and the ones I have.
But you are spot on about use.
For me, it was mostly about function.
I do not like the mudguards and think they do alot to make the bike look worse.

As I’m here.

Cookeaa.
Fair point, although I do not recall what the 29er choice was like ~3 yrs ago, when considering range of 29ers available, specs, pricing.
There is also a lot of parts which were on my 26″ HT.
Parts I already had were Crank, mechs, seat post, saddle, stem (to be changed), pedals, rotors, drive train.

MussED.
I’m not sure what the issue is.
The decals are sign vinyl, laid down before the frame was lacquered.

Plod.
The website has been available for a few years now.
Its been taken down recently and will be revised.
Thought that summer might be a better time to do this.
But this is not my day job.
So that has to come first.

What you may also not realise is that I’ve been telling some folk I had a build on the go.
So now its rideable, I posted.
I found NedRapier’s bike a big inspiration and really like the look of his bike and a few other bikes belonging to folk who have posted pics of their CXs here on STW.

Cheers.

I’m not sure what the issue is.

Me neither. It’s just a bike.
Actually, it’s a flipping lovely bike in a bike kind of way.
(Do you do discounts 😉 )

DezB.

Yes, part of the website revision will be to discount the remaining 6/701s.
Introduce a new variant of the 401 (cheaper) and to launch the S2.

S2 looks to be coming in around 400g and 1500 lumens.

I know the bike could look better, but I’m enjoying it and theres no reason I can’t enhance its looks, at a later date.
Bikes are great like that.

😀

Looks stop on for a “city Bike” mate I’m really jealous of your commute to work I’m on a Dr issued bike ban due to shot ankle ligaments 🙁

Enjoy the bike……How ever the dual controls are unforgivable!!!! 8P 😉

Right, there is definitely no way I’m putting a pic of my pride and joy up for online abuse (I can get that from passers by). 😀 😀

Enjoy the bike……How ever the dual controls are unforgivable

Wookster.
Thats exactly it.
Its a city / commute bike / pub / nip out for a takeaway bike.

I hope you heal up and get back on two wheels asap.

Cheers.
😀

Oh and the DCLs.
I have them on all my bikes.
I get along with them fine.
But it would seem that I’m in the minority.

Right, there is definitely no way I’m putting a pic of my pride and joy up

No, its Ok, post a pic.
I like seeing other peoples bikes, esp if you have a CX.
😀

Maybe Ned will post a pic of his bike.
🙂

Oh and the DCLs.
I have them on all my bikes.
I get along with them fine.
But it would seem that I’m in the minority.

I did too. But you know, people read magazines and are told how to think…

I did too. But you know, people read magazines and are told how to think…

I likem.
Ime, a fair few folk also have road bikes, where DCLs are virtually standard and nobody says a word.

But anyway, CX and bike pics in general are welcome.

I guess my issue with it this post,

DezB.

Yes, part of the website revision will be to discount the remaining 6/701s.
Introduce a new variant of the 401 (cheaper) and to launch the S2.

S2 looks to be coming in around 400g and 1500 lumens.

So rather than showing off your bike – which I have no issue at all, parts choice is entirely personal after all – you’re actually using this guerilla marketing and it only took about 20 posts to come out…well done and good luck with your business.

MussED.
I’m not sure how long you’ve been on the STW forum.
But I’ve begun many threads showing the wares, the lights.
Been doing so for years.
Light threads such as mine and other well known small Op light builders on here.
Post light specific threads.
AFAIK, its not a big issue for most folk STW

I don’t need to start some sort of covert ad thread.

I’ll just post a new light thread if I want to.

I’ve explained that I’ve been following other people’s CX bike threads with a genuine interest.
And just wanted to show my new bike.

You seem to be very upset about something.
FWIW, I’m sorry you feel that way.
❓

2006 -why does that matter? Cos I don’t take an interest in lights threads? Sorry, but maybe I’ve just not noticed your threads? Good luck with the business, I meant that – though there is something in the rules about no trade posts isn’t there?

So, after aroud 3 years of waiting, watching, sniffing out parts at reasonable prices and organising the re-paint and decals, etc.

I’ll bet you are very good at fishing……and to put ‘ugliness’ into perspective…..

MussED.

I’m sorry.
whatever it is you want.
I just can’t help you.
You seem to be very angry.
Have you reported this thread to the Mods ?.
Let them know your issues.

I’ve explained why I started this thread.
You seem to be ignoring my explainations although I don’t need to explain anything to you.
So, thats fine, its just a forum.

And I think you have successfully killed this thread as I don’t really fancy posting here again.

This is Ned’s bike, although when I first saw it, he had road spec type tyres on it.

Thats a really nice bike Ned.
🙂

EDIT:
Cheers Woody.
You’re proof that there is a bunch of good folk here on STW.
😉

😯 🙂 🙄 😆 😥

at this thread!

Luminous i like your bike 😀 (very retro modern).that isn’t an insult by the way 😉 (i have a charge duster that is retro modern 🙂

I’m not angry friend – entitled to express my opinion but I’m not angry. As per reporting it – naaahhh.

And if you want pictures of CX bikes – heres the only picture I have of mine…I’m out…

Nice bike, does what it says on the tin, don’t see the problem with the aesthetics but hey ho, each to their own. I’m currently trying to build up a little town run around as i dont wanna ride my “expensive” bike round town, i’m too paranoid to leave it anywhere, even if it is locked up. I’m building it on an old GT aggressor frame thats been sat in the basement for a few years gathering dust and cobwebs. Currently in need of wheels, drivetrain and brakes, probably just go for V-brakes for ease and cheapness. Where did you get the bits for your bike? I keep looking on forums at the for sale listings but to no avail so far.

Dabble.
Generally I’ve played a waiting game, until items were included in sales on CRC, end of line, etc.

Also I have tried exploiting exchange rates when they were favourable.
So the CK headset came from Aspire Velotech, as it was a good price at the time and I’ve never had any CK before.
Aspire were good to deal with.

Alot of stuff I already had, as you say, collecting dust or on another bike I didn’t want to ride anymore.
So they just migrated from one bike to the other.

The main thing was I had other bikes to ride, so I could wait for the right stuff to come along at a reasonable price.
I wouldn’t say I got anything super / give-away cheap.

New parts were:
Frame – in a Planet X sale – £90
Forks – new, no discount 🙁
Bars – CRC sale.
Brakes – CRC sale
Hubs – Sale items, do not recall where from, may be Winstanley’s
Paid £15 for each wheel to be built.
Rims and Spokes were new.
And the mudguards were cheap from Amazon, IIRC.
The rear brake hose.

The price was spread over a build period of 3 yrs.

Go for it.
You’ll have to go some to beat my bike for uglyness.
😉

Luminous, you seem very pleased with your work good on you