Nancy's retro-modern Hog's Back

Nancy's Hog's Back almost needs no explanation. It's exactly what we have in mind with every Bassi - a tasteful balance of classic and modern, drawing from the best of both those worlds!

Nancy wanted to lean into polished silver here, speccing it at every opportunity. Thanks to the big brain team at Velo Orange, plenty of parts with decades-old aesthetic but modern compatibility are available, in silver! We used their Smooth fenders for all-weather riding and Nouveau Randonneur handlebar, a supremely comfy bar with flats for the palms in the center, slight backsweep, and short reach and drop. 

Nancy loved the Microshift Sword from the Belmont stock build but wanted the stouter Hog frame for heavier touring, so we made it happen! We're not all friction shifting retro-grouches here at C&L, these brifters are ergonomic and shift great, plus the gear range is wide enough for some serious loaded climbs.

We had to top this build off with an equally-timeless saddle, of course. The B17 special (short version here) uses copper plated rails and wider, hammered copper rivets. It looks great and will be so comfy to boot. Blackburn's EX-1 Rack, although pretty low-key at first glance, actually has some great history that makes it well-suited for this build. Jim Blackburn first developed and released it in 1975, and it's astonishing that it's still being offered 50 years later! Often copied, this is the original influence for so many rear carriers to come. 

If you'd like to have a Bassi specced your way, please reach out! 'Til then, happy new bike day Nancy!

Photos by Troy @killiskii