TLDR - In my head I've spoiled my favorite bike, but it's actually more useful now.
Below is the second DayOne I have owned. The photo was taken shortly after I purchased it, I'd built some new wheels for it and put fast tyres on. Not long after I took it to Belgium for the Tour of Flanders and rode most of the the 84 mile sportive on it - fixed, 42/16, I couldn't quite make the 20%+ ramps and frankly the downhills were purgatory, really thought my kneecaps would burst off the from of my legs revving out. But I bloody loved it - the weekend, been a few times since and the bike. Since then it's done thousands of miles for every kind of riding from the odd CX race, commuting, long rides, pub bike duties. Everything a bike should do. Well, most things.
Recently I concluded it's not quite practical enough for them general errands, the 1/2 to 4 mile trips you really should leave the car at home for. If it's dark you have to find a set of lights, get the lock and a pair if gloves outside summer. Riding those SPD pedals for more than a mile is a PITA in normal shoes, especially if you've got a bag for life dangling on the handlebars because you only popped out for one thing, but then, 'ooh, beer'. And... and...
But as I said,I'm very fond of it, so I can't get rid, and I don't really have room for an N+1.
It needs changing up then. Put the mudguards back on, (they'd been off for a while) get a rack and pannier. Flat pedals are far more practical as are flat handlebars for better visibility. While we're at it 3 Nexus gears will definitely help with extra load it'll carry and the lights can stay on permanently. Couple of other sundry parts, (different chainring to better suit the hub range and a flat-bar brake lever) maybe I'll even get a dyno hub in future.
So now it really is the bike I need. I've got a sensible road bike to fill the big rides and weekend duties and riding one of my mountain bikes in the odd CX race really won't affect my podium bothering potential, (zero!) so I'm still covered for the stuff it is now unlikely to be pressed into service for.
But look at it. It's horrible and I'm a bit sad to see it moved into this role.
(Well done if you could be bothered to read all that boring crap to the end).
THE END.
At least it's no longer fixed wheel. 🙂
You could have kept the drops and not lost a lot of practicality but maybe I shouldn't tell you that.
It’s not ruined, it’s customised to your specific needs. It’s also probably unique.
My mate has a day one 853, alfine 11.
He’s fitted flat (carbon DH) bars, shorter stem, Zee brakes, and its transformed into a bike he can ride all day, easily.
Love the bike in either guise.
I'm more worried about the symmetry of your black/white tile combo, tbh Matt.
At least it matches your rims. 🙃
You've forgotten to change the time on your oven clock.
I love these bikes too - happy times when I commuted into Oxford and after that took it to Melbourne. Used it for Beech Road chain gangs and climbing up Arthur’s seat. Mine looked awful too with big bar ends and a tri bar, as the headwind into work around the bay could be strong at times. It’s what gives bikes character and soul IMO. Gave it to one of my PhD students in the end. Wish I’d kept it.
That back rim is a disgrace.
And the pannier rack is weirdly high.
Other than that it just looks like a bike. Crack on.
I'd maybe have gone sturmey 3speed fixed gear for shigs
: )
Good to see what you've done there... I have a certain affinity for the Day One SS CX and it got me hooked on SSing and 'gravel' in general. I still have the original no-logo gloss black final sample frame and it's been built up in at least half a dozen formats.
Currently it's got Blumels, 32mm city tyres, an M-bar, some nice cantis and bolted on lights. 44-17 gear. DX flat pedals. It's my town bike and it's brilliant in that format.
But look at it. It’s horrible
Nah, rim mis-match aside it's close to looking good.
Mine looked a lot better in that format when I took the reflective strips off the guards, if the tyres have them you're not losing out on visibility. It's wonderfully practical, it'll make errand rides in civvies fun and it has history for you. And adding a dyno hub if you ride any distances in the dark is a revelation on a bike like that. Plus they're bombproof bikes, it'll last well.
I know what you mean but put drops back on, the original guards without side reflectors and black tyres are you should be good again. The rack is weirdly high though? was this something to do with avoiding disk brakes (looking again it might not actually be high - it just looks that way for some reason)
That's not ruined, this is ruined:
But look at it. It’s horrible and I’m a bit sad to see it moved into this role.
What on earth are you talking about? That's a fantastic bike, that. Simple, utilitarian, capable. Far more useful than some über skinny racer, or a 30lb+ full suspension behemoth 😉 .
The mis-matched rims are an issue though, for sure.
I know what you mean but put drops back on
This: there's no need for flat bars. Someone on here did that to a Tripster. Vile, disgusting and unnecessary 😛
Yeah. It's horrible. Let me know your address and I'll come and take it off your hands. Can't bear the thought of you having to look at it any longer 😅
In all seriousness, I'm totally jealous. I would get a black rim for the rear, but other than that it looks great!
Miss my old Day One and second hand prices are crazy. Always on the look out as perfect bike to nip to the shop/play with the kids.
Isn't the obvious answer to just buy two next time?
Recently I concluded it’s not quite practical enough for them general errands, the 1/2 to 4 mile trips you really should leave the car at home for. If it’s dark you have to find a set of lights, get the lock and a pair if gloves outside summer
Change the pedals and fit dynamo lighting. Rack/and or front tray/rack/basket.
Job jobbed. You overkilled, duuuuuuude.
I used to use a Dutch bike with all that shizz all fitted, incl locks and stand but since not making so many urban trips I now use an old tourer that already has a rack fitted.
I changed the flat bars for drops though! Quicker, good for Audax and yet still carries all the week’s shopping or simply a box of eggs. All depends on the ratio/nature of trips.
The best utility bikes can live outdoors and are ready to roll with a stepthru frame and all gubbins. But is only truly useful if used a lot and for nowt else than chores and family cruising
If I didn’t have the Gravelbeast N+1 I’d probably go back to comfort bars/upright on the road tourer tho. I’m looking into brake cable couplers for swift bar-changes flat/drops.
I do have to clip a light on it though. And keep a lock in the rackpack. Not hardships which cause me too much concern.
The glove situation? Did you ever sort that? Does that require N+1 or would serious mods suffice? ie do Specialized do a retro-fit MITTbox ™ V2.0? Or maybe the Topeak GLUVshak ™ ?
While we’re at it 3 Nexus gears will definitely help with extra load it’ll carry and the lights can stay on permanently
Just had to double-read that. Am not getting how ‘permanently-on’ lights weren’t an option before you changed to hub-gears 😉😎
Thanks for your kind words on my problems.
The rack is oddly tall, just came like that. I could fit it to the slightly lower mudguard eyelets and drill new holes in the fitting plates, but it wouldn't make a huge difference.
New rim(s) when I decide on the dyno-hub.
And yes, whoever fitted them tiles like that made a crap job, (wasn't me)