Stallion Supercharge

Starting next week, I have a big, exciting bike trip: Pittsburgh to DC via the GAP/C&O Canal towpath. So I have to get my cross/touring rig set up properly. Basically this involves checking it over, adjusting things that need adjusted, oiling things that need oiled, and, most importantly, installing some cool, retro aluminum fenders and a front rack.

The bike is "Stallion," my titanium 2001 Litespeed Appalachian. The fenders are Velo Orange fluted aluminum 48mm jobbers! Similar to the great French constructeur fenders from the olden days. When buying fenders, VO recommends to size them about 10-12mm larger than your planned tire width. So if you are running 28mm tires, as I do, then get 38-40mm fenders. You can go larger than 10-12mm, just ensure your chainstay/seatstay clearances will accept that size. The front rack I installed is a Velo Orange Pass Hunter stainless steel rack. The rack went on smoothly, but make sure you have canti brakes if you want this rack.

Installing the fenders was a challenge, mostly because the fenders come in a basic, generic configuration. But every bike is different, some have eyelets, others don't. So portions of the fender simply bolted on to my bike; however, other portions required original fabrication. I bought thin aluminum sheeting and custom cut with scissors any binding parts I needed to make the fenders fit my bike. Thin aluminum cuts easily (just watch out for sharp edges), and it bends and molds around bike parts nicely.

Before mounting anything, I also cut and installed thin rubber strips between the aluminum parts and the bike frame to help with vibration damping. I also used thin brass washers between all bolts, and instead of using the supplied leather washers, I used rubber faucet washers that I bought separately to suppress vibration chatter. One thing I did not add, but it would have been good to add, is a mudflap for the front and rear. The front mudflap protects your feet and pedals from splash. The rear mudflap protects anyone behind you. Here is a good example of mudflaps.

Shiny. The brake bridge required custom fabrication

The front rack--it becomes a proper randonneuse

This junction required custom fabrication

This whole process was lengthy, extensible (because a lot of it required estimating sizes and tolerances, then re-doing it if the measurements were slightly off the mark), but highly enjoyable. Nothing like setting up a bike, very rewarding.

Here is the final product. It is really shiny, reminds me of silvery art deco from the 1930's. So I have renamed this fine steed the "Silver Stallion." Look for a detailed report after the trip, next week.