Tom's Felt F1X Commuter
Well, the old Bridgestone had to go, sniff. In April, I moved my design studio from Downtown to a spot up on the Bench off Orchard St. Now, my commute to the University (from where I park, not from my home) has increased from about a mile to now over 3 miles. That is enough distance away that I need a daily commuter bike which means I have to ride at least 3 miles one way each day, rain or shine. (No, the University does not provide parking to their faculty, never have and I ain't paying for a spot!) So, instead of junking up the Bridestone as a commuter and sending the value of it plummeting, I sold it and built a real commuter.
Just in case some of you think it resembles a cyclocross racer, just wait until I put some fenders on the thing! I may race a few times this season but we'll see... Below are the specs for this rad and fairly light single-ring 1x10 rig.
The single ring thing is fantastic! No more thinking; "can I make it up that incline in the big ring?" dialog in your head; just a higher or lower gear - right hand only. It's a 56cm frame so it fits and handles much better than the silver thing I had in years past. The drivetrain is noticeably quiet with no chain and derailleur cage jangle while bumping over terrain. What's more, the thing shifts like a dream with SRAM RED!
Repeat, this is my commuter! Say it; Tom's "cuh-myoo-tur."
Frame: 2008 Felt F1X
Fork: Easton EC90X, ITT; Internal Thread Technology (Super awesome!)
Right Shifter: SRAM RED (used with minor crash abrasions, so it was a good price)
Left Brake Lever: SRAM S900 carbon lever - No front derailleur!
Handlebar: Nashbar 31.8, 44cm standard 260g bar (Not super light but hey, $20 at BBP!)
Brakeset: FSA SL-K Cantilever
Crankset: FSA Energy (Hollow Alloy Crank Arms)
Chainring: FSA 42t 130BCD
Paul Chain Keeper: One less thing to shift or get gunked-up!
Chain: SRAM PG-1030; cheap but functional
Pedals: Crank Bros Eggbeater with aftermarket Titanium Spindles, lots lighter.
Rear Derailleur: SRAM Apex Medium Cage (with faux SRAM RED-styled cage graphics I applied)
Cassette: SRAM PG-1070 11-32 (same range as a 46/36 + 12-27 speed setup!)
Ritchey WCS Stem and Seatpost & Selle Italia SLR XP
XTR derailleur cable (hey, I had it in my parts and it matched the black frame!)
Wheels: The same training wheels I had on the other bike
Tires: Michelin Mud 2 set up tubeless Stans sealed.
I still have the Tufo Flexus Primus tubulars on a pair of Mavic Cosmic deep rims, ya know, just in case a person could race it.
Sweet ride!
I've seen it in person, and it looks even better live!
Hey Tom, I've heard there's a sweet commute around Eagle Island...
First things first
I have seen the bike in person and it is awesome! I love the single ring. Now to the real point, what the crap is up with this we'll see business!? Tom, you are a racers who commutes not the other way around! I say this all in love of course. I will warm up and race with you next week at the Velo park.