Hello Everybody,
Got a bike put together today the way I wanted for a few years. Here's the history:
Bought a new 2008 Felt Dispatch back when my colleagues were really into single speed bikes (Surley, Kona, Masi) this was the only one I found that was really light at 18.7 lbs.
Really liked it but had to strip it down to the basics. Swapped in a Cane Creek brake lever. Came out to 16.5 lbs but was almost unridably harsh/stiff and wanted to throw you off the front at any little bump (and did too, Oww!).
So a year later, set it up more ridable with 700/32C Conti Contacts, thick handle bar padding and cushy MTB seat. Always wished for a coaster on it but didn't think anything would fit the wide aluminum frame. At 18 lbs and 38/16 gearing, it accelerated quickly but was kinda slow.
Put it away for over a year to have more fun with cruisers. Found a CL ad 2 weeks ago for 700 with Shimano coaster for $40. Picked it up and planned to put it on an old Racer but found it fit the Felt. Gave it some nice bars for easier position. Also recently found a Sturmey Archer 13 tooth hub gear and picked up a Shimano 52 chainring and put them on. Today it got through Proof of Concept stage.
Will have to come back apart and everything gone through but think its going to be fast! At about 20 lbs, 52/13, it accelerates faster than my Spaceliner (27 lbs, 52/16) and should have a higher top speed. The shift of weight lower to the coaster hub has transformed this to a much nicer riding bike. I'll have to watch out for myself on this one...
Thanks for looking.
Got a bike put together today the way I wanted for a few years. Here's the history:
Bought a new 2008 Felt Dispatch back when my colleagues were really into single speed bikes (Surley, Kona, Masi) this was the only one I found that was really light at 18.7 lbs.
Really liked it but had to strip it down to the basics. Swapped in a Cane Creek brake lever. Came out to 16.5 lbs but was almost unridably harsh/stiff and wanted to throw you off the front at any little bump (and did too, Oww!).
So a year later, set it up more ridable with 700/32C Conti Contacts, thick handle bar padding and cushy MTB seat. Always wished for a coaster on it but didn't think anything would fit the wide aluminum frame. At 18 lbs and 38/16 gearing, it accelerated quickly but was kinda slow.
Put it away for over a year to have more fun with cruisers. Found a CL ad 2 weeks ago for 700 with Shimano coaster for $40. Picked it up and planned to put it on an old Racer but found it fit the Felt. Gave it some nice bars for easier position. Also recently found a Sturmey Archer 13 tooth hub gear and picked up a Shimano 52 chainring and put them on. Today it got through Proof of Concept stage.
Will have to come back apart and everything gone through but think its going to be fast! At about 20 lbs, 52/13, it accelerates faster than my Spaceliner (27 lbs, 52/16) and should have a higher top speed. The shift of weight lower to the coaster hub has transformed this to a much nicer riding bike. I'll have to watch out for myself on this one...
Thanks for looking.
