Another 650b Conversion

This one by Tanner:

Before...

...After.

Coming Back

The b-log has been a bit quiet recently due to lack of camera cable and me losing some interest. There has been plenty of projects going on these past two months or so to merit a few post, so hopefully I'll be able to update more in the next week or so. But I'll start with the most relevant change. And the reason why I'm going to hell:

 

On a whim, I switch from some old rando Nitto drop bars to Scott AT-2s. The reasoning has to do in part with the fact that I have a secret project brewing, which I'm sure I'll probably update soon about, but lets just say having a drop bar road bike just seemed a little redundant to have. The stupid part is the secret project won't be ready from months--maybe even a year out, so this was probably an awful idea, but I like it.

I think the thing I'm most stoked on are the Deore thumbies that I got off this old beat up Stumpjumper that was on craigslist. First indexing that I've had that I've been really sold on. Also friction ready, of course. These bars are kinda take or leave it for me--they were kind of a temp fix until I order some Nitto Jitensha bars. Sans front derailer because I'm lazy.

Also new are these XTR cantis that I recently brazed post on for. I like their 'bite' more than the center pulls that were on before (D Compe rear, Mafac Racer front.) Throw on the ridiculous Nitto rear rack on there, and I have one of the weirdest hybrids ever.

I think a lot of it is a result of coming to terms with the fact that I wasn't doing any recreational rides with the Lotus anymore since it wasn't really equipped to be self-supportive for anything longer than 80 miles. As result, I've only been commuting on it, and I wasn't in love with the Nitto randonneur bars, so... Once I get some bars with a bit more swep back, I think this will be pretty dialed in.

I think I am coming closer to touching the spirit of Sheldon Brown with this one... Or Satan, which ever.