Benotto x Nishiki Hobo Gravel (28")
This bike is based on my yellow Nishiki Y2K hybrid (see below). Even though I loved the yellow color scheme, I had to admit that the DIY paint-job was a disaster. After just one season, the paint was suffering so badly, that I decided to strip it off and use the frame as a platform for another project. On this new iteration, the bike has now been upgraded with slick gravel tires, making it slightly more allterrain capable. I decided to leave the aluminum frame completely exposed and allowing a natural patina to form. The bike also features now a Wald front basket, inverted Pelago backsweep bar, new seat and some really nice decals by Alex Cycles from Ukraine.
- Early 2000's aluminum frame
- Stickers by Alex Cycles
- Pelago backsweep handlebar (steel)
- Velo leather saddle
- Panaracer Gravelking slick tires
- SunRace thumb shifter
- 90's Shimano brake levers
- Wald front basket
Nishiki Y2K Hybrid (28")
I bought this bike in 2009 from a friend for 50€. It was left forgotten in my garden shed for ten years until I stumbled upon is while doing a spring clean-up. I was about to discard it, when I got a sudden inspiration to restore it. I felt bad about neglecting it and I wanted to give it a second life. I stripped all the components and did a DIY paint job. I upgraded nearly all the parts to my liking. The result is a very good looking retro commuter, that is actually surprisingly capable for the road.
- Early 2000's aluminum frame
- Fake Patagonia (and other) stickers
- Pelago backsweep handlebar (aluminum)
- Selle Italia leather saddle
- 1x7 gear conversion (was previously 3x7)
- Schwalbe Road Cruiser tires
- SunRace thumb shifter
- 90's Shimano brake levers
- Original components restored
Crescent Retro MTB (26")
After completing the Nishiki Project, I also wanted to make something for the back roads. For this build I really wanted to embrace fun 1990's vibes. The result is a delightfully colorful mixed bag of insanity. I wanted to make a bike that I would have enjoyed as a little kid. Incidentally, this bike makes me feel like a kid again. The Crescent turned out to be a really good all-rounder that just eats cobble stones and gravel roads alike. It is robust but light weight making it easy to take anywhere. Compared to the monster sized mountain bikes of today, this bike feels extremely agile. I love commuting with it, because it is so nimble and light.
- 1990's aluminum frame
- Rad stickers
- Pelago backsweep handlebar
- 5€ Velo saddle
- 1x7 gear conversion (was previously 3x7)
- Schwalbe Billy Bonkers tires
- Oury V2 grips
- SunRace thumb shifter
- 90's Shimano STX brake levers
- Plenty of salvaged and restored components