New Bougie Bike Build
#1
No Talent Assclown
Thread Starter
New Bougie Bike Build
I finally got the bike I put on back order a week ago and put on accessories to give it the look I wanted. Thanks again for opinions on some of those! It’s a bit much for a commuter, and it’s most of the riding I do these days. Luckily I’m not worried at work, bike theft isn’t big here, and I carry a substantial lock.
This is a primarily commuter and all around build and the first road bike I’ve bought or built in about 10 years. I checked out all the local bike shops and brands they carried. Then, I went looking through catalogs and figured these new gravel bikes had what I wanted in an all around commuter. The mix of price, components, and color got me to order the Trek, and it’s the first of their bikes that I’ve owned. Others I saw had a bit small of a large chainring for my purposes and tended to go kinda cheaper on the crank but for little to no difference in price. Others also didn’t have hydraulic disc, which I fell in love with after riding around on a bike with them in Germany. I think my other consideration was a Specialized Sequoia, and I shied away from the weight before accessories. I still have to ride this thing up the foothills. The color immediately gave me ideas on what to put on it, and I like the way they change the look.
Bike specs:
Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 gravel bike in British Racing Green
Shimano 11-speed 105 group with hydraulic disc brakes
Compact double front and 11-34T rear
Swapped saddle for a Brooks B17 with the fancy copper rails and rivets
Swapped bar tape for Leh Cycles leather bar tape. The Brooks tape just didn’t look like great quality.
Swapped gravel tires for 700x35c Schwalbe Marathon Supreme touring tires
Installed Handsome Cycles hammered copper anodized aluminum fenders
Installed copper bottle cages
Installed Axiom rear rack I already had
Installed Crankbros Candy 3 pedals
The only other thing I’ll be doing here is using one of the Bontrager Blendr stem mounts for a GoPro and a Cygolite GoPro adapter to mount the headlight on the bottom (or top) of the stem.
Here she is together on the first commuting ride.
This is a primarily commuter and all around build and the first road bike I’ve bought or built in about 10 years. I checked out all the local bike shops and brands they carried. Then, I went looking through catalogs and figured these new gravel bikes had what I wanted in an all around commuter. The mix of price, components, and color got me to order the Trek, and it’s the first of their bikes that I’ve owned. Others I saw had a bit small of a large chainring for my purposes and tended to go kinda cheaper on the crank but for little to no difference in price. Others also didn’t have hydraulic disc, which I fell in love with after riding around on a bike with them in Germany. I think my other consideration was a Specialized Sequoia, and I shied away from the weight before accessories. I still have to ride this thing up the foothills. The color immediately gave me ideas on what to put on it, and I like the way they change the look.
Bike specs:
Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 gravel bike in British Racing Green
Shimano 11-speed 105 group with hydraulic disc brakes
Compact double front and 11-34T rear
Swapped saddle for a Brooks B17 with the fancy copper rails and rivets
Swapped bar tape for Leh Cycles leather bar tape. The Brooks tape just didn’t look like great quality.
Swapped gravel tires for 700x35c Schwalbe Marathon Supreme touring tires
Installed Handsome Cycles hammered copper anodized aluminum fenders
Installed copper bottle cages
Installed Axiom rear rack I already had
Installed Crankbros Candy 3 pedals
The only other thing I’ll be doing here is using one of the Bontrager Blendr stem mounts for a GoPro and a Cygolite GoPro adapter to mount the headlight on the bottom (or top) of the stem.
Here she is together on the first commuting ride.
__________________
Fällt der Pfarrer in den Mist, lacht der Bauer bis er pisst.
Fällt der Pfarrer in den Mist, lacht der Bauer bis er pisst.
Last edited by Falkon; 01-22-20 at 05:28 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Nice, I would like it even better without the bright green trek logo but thats just me, very well put together.
#3
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,514
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
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Solid.
Is the copper clear coated or intended to tarnish?
Really 12-42? That’s a lot
Is the copper clear coated or intended to tarnish?
Really 12-42? That’s a lot
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#6
No Talent Assclown
Thread Starter
Agreed. I don't mind it so much, but I could do without it. I'm trying to decide if I should try to match new panniers to that accent color or go with "good enough" dark green or black.
__________________
Fällt der Pfarrer in den Mist, lacht der Bauer bis er pisst.
Fällt der Pfarrer in den Mist, lacht der Bauer bis er pisst.
#7
No Talent Assclown
Thread Starter
Intended to tarnish, but I'm not sure what will. It's just anodized aluminum fenders and copper plated steel seat. I love the wide range cassette. With the normal compact double, I've got enough gears to climb while loaded down but I'm not really close to topping out the gears. The 42t cog means I've got a 1:1 climbing gear. That's great, because this thing isn't light, and I'm out of shape.
__________________
Fällt der Pfarrer in den Mist, lacht der Bauer bis er pisst.
Fällt der Pfarrer in den Mist, lacht der Bauer bis er pisst.
#8
Senior Member
FWIW I think the leather and green seatbag looks good, and would try to match that. Over time the faded green canvas does not look as bad as my black canvas seatbag when it faded. But that may have more to do with the limited number of canvas bags I'm familiar with.
#9
No Talent Assclown
Thread Starter
__________________
Fällt der Pfarrer in den Mist, lacht der Bauer bis er pisst.
Fällt der Pfarrer in den Mist, lacht der Bauer bis er pisst.
#10
Senior Member
Good-looking and unique, that must have been fun to build up.
Can I put in a request to see the drive side please?
Can I put in a request to see the drive side please?
#11
No Talent Assclown
Thread Starter
#12
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 41,047
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
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Distinctive! Well done.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#13
Callipygian Connoisseur
Wow! Beautiful bike. Tastefully done with components reflecting a thoughtful approach. Who says commuters have to be any less beautiful? Have you considered Portland Design water bottle cages? I’d say you really nailed it with this one. Once you start getting a little patina on that saddle, grips and fenders the natural beauty will get even better. Bravo!
-Kedosto
-Kedosto
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Posts: 2,949
Bikes: 2024 A Homer Hilsen, 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, early '70s Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Raleigh International, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mk1
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Slick - very nice!
__________________
2024 A Homer Hilsen, 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
2024 A Homer Hilsen, 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
#15
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: The Lou
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Bikes: 82 Trek 710, 90 Trek 750, 86 Vitus, Nishiki Cervino, 1989 Bianchi CdI, 2 Nashbars, an Italian Steel MTB, Sears Spaceliner, and a 74 Schwinn Speedster. I also manage a fleet of Volcanic Patrol bikes, 83 of them.
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That bike is gorgeous!!
I finally got the bike I put on back order a week ago and put on accessories to give it the look I wanted. Thanks again for opinions on some of those! It’s a bit much for a commuter, and it’s most of the riding I do these days. Luckily I’m not worried at work, bike theft isn’t big here, and I carry a substantial lock.
This is a primarily commuter and all around build and the first road bike I’ve bought or built in about 10 years. I checked out all the local bike shops and brands they carried. Then, I went looking through catalogs and figured these new gravel bikes had what I wanted in an all around commuter. The mix of price, components, and color got me to order the Trek, and it’s the first of their bikes that I’ve owned. Others I saw had a bit small of a large chainring for my purposes and tended to go kinda cheaper on the crank but for little to no difference in price. Others also didn’t have hydraulic disc, which I fell in love with after riding around on a bike with them in Germany. I think my other consideration was a Specialized Sequoia, and I shied away from the weight before accessories. I still have to ride this thing up the foothills. The color immediately gave me ideas on what to put on it, and I like the way they change the look.
Bike specs:
Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 gravel bike in British Racing Green
Shimano 11-speed 105 group with hydraulic disc brakes
Compact double front and 11-34T rear
Swapped saddle for a Brooks B17 with the fancy copper rails and rivets
Swapped bar tape for Leh Cycles leather bar tape. The Brooks tape just didn’t look like great quality.
Swapped gravel tires for 700x35c Schwalbe Marathon Supreme touring tires
Installed Handsome Cycles hammered copper anodized aluminum fenders
Installed copper bottle cages
Installed Axiom rear rack I already had
Installed Crankbros Candy 3 pedals
The only other thing I’ll be doing here is using one of the Bontrager Blendr stem mounts for a GoPro and a Cygolite GoPro adapter to mount the headlight on the bottom (or top) of the stem.
Here she is together on the first commuting ride.
This is a primarily commuter and all around build and the first road bike I’ve bought or built in about 10 years. I checked out all the local bike shops and brands they carried. Then, I went looking through catalogs and figured these new gravel bikes had what I wanted in an all around commuter. The mix of price, components, and color got me to order the Trek, and it’s the first of their bikes that I’ve owned. Others I saw had a bit small of a large chainring for my purposes and tended to go kinda cheaper on the crank but for little to no difference in price. Others also didn’t have hydraulic disc, which I fell in love with after riding around on a bike with them in Germany. I think my other consideration was a Specialized Sequoia, and I shied away from the weight before accessories. I still have to ride this thing up the foothills. The color immediately gave me ideas on what to put on it, and I like the way they change the look.
Bike specs:
Trek Checkpoint ALR 5 gravel bike in British Racing Green
Shimano 11-speed 105 group with hydraulic disc brakes
Compact double front and 11-34T rear
Swapped saddle for a Brooks B17 with the fancy copper rails and rivets
Swapped bar tape for Leh Cycles leather bar tape. The Brooks tape just didn’t look like great quality.
Swapped gravel tires for 700x35c Schwalbe Marathon Supreme touring tires
Installed Handsome Cycles hammered copper anodized aluminum fenders
Installed copper bottle cages
Installed Axiom rear rack I already had
Installed Crankbros Candy 3 pedals
The only other thing I’ll be doing here is using one of the Bontrager Blendr stem mounts for a GoPro and a Cygolite GoPro adapter to mount the headlight on the bottom (or top) of the stem.
Here she is together on the first commuting ride.
#17
Junior Member
Very classy and tastefully done! I love the copper and leather accents. Looks great!