Julian's All-City Log Lady
It's now Julian's turn to introduce us to his All-City Log Lady. A single-speed bike made for playing in the mud, but just as comfortable for short rides on Mount Royal or everyday transport. It's a bike that has seen quite a bit of backcountry here and elsewhere. Without further ado, here is Verbec and some recommendations from Julian. Your Favourite Montreal’s restaurant : Le Jardin du Cari Your Favourite Tool : 8/10 ratchet Your Favourite Meal : @pizzabouquet potato pizza Your Favourite part on your bike : Piña Stem Protector @lovedrawings Photos @jochhoo
Jean-Michel's Marinoni
Guiseppe Marinoni gave me this stunningly beautiful frame in 2010. An aggressive road geometry to match the Colnago Master Series and brass brazed by Guiseppe himself. To honor Lombard craftsmanship, it has been fitted with a full Campagnolo Chorus / Athena groupset and an Ambrosio Excellight rim set. This bike is a work of art that symbolizes the quintessence of my early love for cycling. Photos by the one and unique like a Noni @jochhoo
Sam B's Rockhopper and Hardrock
Everything started when I candidly said that I might want to find an old MTB Specialized frame while working with Jo Chhun aka The Specialized Collectionneur. Two days later, he sold me that frame. The only downside: the BB was seized. Long story short, the problem was solved around a Boréale on a Friday evening after the shift. Making up my mind on what this bike would be was probably the longest step. It went through a few iterations in my head: from a single speed beater to a 3x9 configuration, to finally settle on a 1x11. All good ideas, but I wanted something different than what I already have or had before. Then came the parts compatibility problem, which was resolved with help from Sam M and Simon (thanks guys!), since a lot of the parts that I wanted at first were victims of the Great Parts Drought of 2020-202?. I even ended up lacing Rhyno rims - not the Lite version - that we had in the shop’s basement because wider rims were nearly impossible to find to fit with my Deore XT 32h hubs. The waiting has been unbearable but I finally ended up building my Rockhopper last fall. What a charming ride! With the Soma Oxford bar (Albatross minus Nitto’s glory), the 1x11 drive train, the Maxxis DTH 26x2.15" tires, everything was what I wished for. Unfortunately, winter was coming and I couldn't see myself riding my new bike in Montreal's slushy and salty winter. So I went on a search for a similar bike to carry me during the cold months. I just love old MTB geometry. They sit tight on the road, they are not too nervous and you can ride them with big tires. Going through Marketplace and Kijiji and having notifications on for every new ad that fitted my criteria, I ended up finding a reasonable Specialized Hard Rock. I obviously made a couple parts upgrades and changes, like the Surly Open Bar handlebar, a Gravdal winter tire in the front (the rear one was in good shape and knobby enough for our winters), I blocked the front derailleur to make a 1x7 transmission, and an old Brooks C15 I had on another bike. Nothing too fancy of course, but just enough so I would enjoy my winter rides. Let me tell you that it's a big change from a fixed gear without brakes…! Now that biking season is at its peak, my dear Rockhopper had a small makeover. The release of SimWorks’ Bubbly pedals changed my world. It moved me to the point where I couldn’t resist buying a pair. The fit was also perfect with this bike. The cockpit went through some changes to have a more versatile setup that I would enjoy on long distances; Salsa Cowchipper handlebar 52cm (why not?) and the beautiful VO Faceplate quill stem which is made to fit modern handlebars onto bikes from another era. I also got lucky with the Newbaum’s eggplant coloured bar tape which is a perfect match with this bike lettering! Photos by photographer and bike-pusher @jochhoo and yours truly
Marcel's GT/Crust Timberline Clydesdale
Marcel is the ultimate lover of rare parts and unusual builds. Never has anyone been so ecstatic about a Dura-Ace quick-release axle, a Campagnolo down tube shifter, or a bichain drive train fixed gear. It’s beautiful and inspiring for everyone on the team to witness. Marcel's a gem. Here's a little more about this great connoisseur of Naruto and his magnificent bike. Your favourite Montreal restaurant : Yokato Yokabai Your favourite tool : Cone Wrench with a Pabst can Your favourite meal : Soup Your favourite part on your bike : The Crust Clydesdale fork Photos by @jochhoo
Jonathan's Winter Hardrock
Hi, this is my 2021 winter beater. First of all, the bike is mostly assembled with used parts that I already had on hand, or that I took from other bikes in my fleet. The frame is a 1992 Specialized Hardrock: an entry-level mountain bike, using 26-inch wheels, with enough eyelets to attach accessories and turn it into a great city bike. A must in winter: the mudguards, to which I always add mud flaps to stay really dry. Leather is a great material for mud flaps because it is stiff enough and ultra durable. The alloy or stainless steel mudguards from Velo Orange are perfect: silent and durable, you can always re-polish them if necessary. Personally, I use Gilles Berthoud mudguards because I had the chance to go to France and bring some back, but the Velo Orange are very similar. The mud flaps, were made by a friend and he offered them to me. Thank you Rémi. For added safety, I ride with the 45NRTH Gravdal studded tires, which are great especially if you want to ride on roads without asphalt, like snowy country roads. For the city, I like the Winter tires from Schwalbe. About the brakes; I always use Kool Stop salmon colored pads, which provide excellent braking. cantilever brakes, although less powerful than V-brakes, offer much more clearance between the rim and the brakes, so less rubbing noises when dirt and slush build up. A single-speed bicycle is very practical in winter, because it requires less maintenance. You will also limit mechanical problems due to its simplicity, in addition to making the bike lighter. To convert to single-speed, several things will have to be considered (frame shape, ratio, type of hub, need for a chain tensioner, etc.). A store visit will make your life much easier! I like to use a specific chain for winter, the KMC’s are affordable and very resistant to rust and salt. This year I am testing a system with 2 speeds, via a Paul Melvin chain tensioner, which allows this somewhat eccentric system. For now, I'm not sure if I'll keep this transmission ... the single-speed is still more reliable and elegant! For the ratios, I use 46/34 teeth chainrings and an 18 tooth sprocket at the rear. I use Crane ENE bells on almost all of my bikes. I ring for my safety and out of courtesy when passing other riders. The brass versions offer the nicest sound in my opinion. When it comes to errands, nothing works better than a Wald 139 basket. Affordable and big enough to hold a backpack lengthwise. I always attach it to a luggage rack to increase rigidity and to carry more weight safely. I'm using a rather expensive Nitto Mark's rack here, but another slightly less expensive model that I like is this one. Finally, I use a Lezyne front light which comes in several power levels. I like being able to illuminate the road and obstacles well, not just being seen by motorists.I like to put it up front, near the top of the wheel, for optimal lighting. If you fix the light on the handlebars, the beam can be blocked by a full front basket. I had to use a bit of resourcefulness for the binding system. It consists of a piece of Nitto hardware, an Axiom fender adapter, a fork column stub and a headset cap! For the geeks and retrogrouch of this world, here is the complete parts list! Specialized Hardrock 1992 frame, 18 ”. Nitto Bullmoose handlebar (the modern model) Luggage rack: Nitto Mark's rack (extra-long Nitto rods) Basket: Wald 137, without the original hardware Tires: 45NRTH Gravdal, 26 ”x 2”. Wheels: Shimano LX M565. Rims: Mavic 231 Front shifter: Friction microshift Front derailleur: Shimano LX 565. Crankset: Deore, 46/34 teeth. Chain tensioner: Paul Melvin + Wolftooth sprocket, 18 teeth. Pedals: Ysixty with extra long pins Mudguards: Gilles Berthoud + homemade leather mud flaps Brakes: Dia Compe XCE cantilevers + Kool Stop salmon pads. Brake levers: Shimano Saddle: Terry Liberator race, TI Bell: Crane Ene in polished brass Pictures also by @jochhoo
Bobby's Bianchi Grizzly
We're thrilled to announce that our dear longtime mechanic Roberto is joining C&L and Bassi as a partner, and felt that a staff bikes featuring Roberto and his do-it-all townie-MTB-tourer Bianchi Grizzly would be the perfect introduction to those of you who haven't met him! His bike is full of personality, nicely built to commute but can also take single track shortcuts on his way home. For hi-res pics, open in a new tab. Your name and the bike's name: Roberto and Papa Bear Your favourite Montréal resto: Larry's Your favourite shop tool: Park Tool BT3 Your favourite meal: Arepas Your favourite part on this bike: Well worn Brooks C17 saddle Fun pics by MTB Papa @jochhoo
Vince and his Cross-Check
Today in our staff bikes series, we've got manager and senior mechanic Vince. He crossed Canada with his beloved puke-green Surly Cross-Check and still rides it daily (except in winter when his 50kg rust-bucket Minelli comes out). Here's what he has to say! Open images in a new tab to embiggen Your nameVincent Savary Your favourite Montreal restaurantAgrikol Your favourite shop toolPark Tool FFS-2 frame and fork alignment tool, AKA "The Persuader" (BAM!) Favourite mealTonkotsu ramen Your favourite part on your bikeMy bar-end shifter that I de-indexed myself
Zach and Phil
Next up in the staff bike series, meet Zach and his red hot red Roma Tokyo trackloporteur. Zach is our in house sneaker expert, gets stoked on obscure bike parts, teaches us about trap music, and is an all-around sweetheart. Here's what he has to say! Your name, your bike's name: Zach, Phil Your favourite Montreal restaurant: Trip de bouffe Your favourite tool: Soft jaw axle vise Your favourite meal: Poutine Your favourite part on your bike: VO Porteur rack Great pics as always by a guy who doesn't ride a track bike, @jochhoo