The Process

The process to build your unique bike is fairly simple and maybe a little old fashioned. Our specialty, the commuting bike, starts with a few fundamental characteristics and from there it’s up to you to select a couple important items that will complete the machine.

Step 1 – Initial Request

Send us a note to describe your biking plans and include your height and inseam. Indicate whether you prefer a low, medium or more upright riding position. List any ‘must-haves’ like racks and lights. Our baseline configuration looks like this:

FRAME	52, 55 or 58cm steel touring frame, 4130 double-butted Cr-Mo main triangle and 4130 straight gauge on the stays, crowned fork, TIG welded. FSA alloy sealed cartridge bottom bracket. FSA Orbit X threadless, sealed bearing headset.
DRIVE-TRAIN	SRAM Automatic 2-speed internally geared hub with 19 tooth rear cog. FSA F. Gimondi forged aluminum crank, 170 mm arms, 42 tooth chainring
WHEELS	Sun CR18 700c rims. Panaracer Tourguard Plus Reflective strip tires. 14 gauge stainless Wheelsmith spokes
BRAKES	Tektro CR720 cantilever brakes and FL750 levers. Jagwire cable & silver braided housing

We can help you select the right seat, stem and handlebar to get the best fit and stay within your budget:

SADDLES	Brooks Cambium, SDG Duster, Dimension Downtown saddles
HANDLEBARS	Velo Orange Porteur, Milan, Postino, Tourist bars. Nitto B259 Urban Riser and Sunlite MTB bars.
PEDALS	MKS Sylvan Touring, Track. VP Components touring. Dimension MTB. Steel toe clips with leather straps.

Silver braided cabling is a nice touch.

SRAM’s 2 speed hub offers automatic shifting from low to high at about 10mph.

Classic aluminum pedals from MKS with legendary workmanship, durability and ultra smooth rotation.

Step 2 – Proposal

We’ll prepare a listing of components, describe the handlebar and stem setup that we think will work, and include photos of similar configurations that we’ve built in the past.

Step 3 – Agreement

Together we review the pricing (usually between $950 and $1,200), make adjustments and establish a go or no-go agreement attached to a 50% deposit.

Step 4 – Construction

Next we punch your bike’s specifications into the system, give it a unique number, add it to the build schedule and get to work. Building the wheels, ordering any special parts, and assembling the bike usually take between 2 and 4 weeks.

Step 5 – Presentation

Your bike is complete. You’re invited to visit us and give it a test ride so we can make any final adjustments to ensure that you’re comfortable with the settings and totally pleased. Sometimes we have to go back to the shop and make a revision. Maybe the handlebar is too high and we need to cut the fork down. In the end we want you to be completely happy with the bike that we’ve made for you.

Step 6 – New Ownership

You’re ready to take your new Evanston bicycle home. It has a special number and we’ll want to take a couple photos before we send you on your way.

Cantilever brakes by Tektro provide smooth stopping power and handle wet, grime and snow extremely well. They are fender-friendly, too.

Cold forged aluminum stem is light, strong and easy on the eyes.

Your bike on the stand getting final tweaks.