New Build Underway (Finally), and Revamping my Current Steed

I have finally started assembling my shiny new Disc Trucker into an actual bike instead of a frameset and a collection of packaged components.

A couple of weeks ago I had my LBS install the headset and bottom bracket, and this past weekend I installed the brakes, derailleurs, cables, handlebars and stem, shifters, brake levers, fenders, seat post, saddle, and rear rack.  To complicate matters, the bar end shifters for my new ride were taken from my current ride which necessitated changing shifters, brake levers, and handlebars on the current ride so I can have a working bike during the build/tweak process on the new one.

I had originally planned to sell my current ride after the Disc Trucker is complete, but have decided to instead, equip her for the ice, snow, and slush which come with an Indianapolis Winter. Since my bike is my only transportation I have decided that having two bikes setup differently will be easier than swapping out tires and trailer hitches every time the road conditions change.  More than one person has told me that this is merely an excuse to keep the bike, and they are probably right, but I can't seem to let go of something which has reliably carried me for thousands of miles in the two years since my heart attack.

So far, the build is going well.  I have included some random pictures below of the various components.  There was, however, one minor hitch.  I installed Velo Orange stainless fenders on the DT and didn't notice until after the fact, that they interfere with my trailer hitch.  The design of the rear dropout area on the Disc Trucker is great in that it allows for installation of a rear rack and fenders in separate sets of braze-ons without having to get a special rack for disc brakes, or getting creative with fender stays like I had to on my current bike.  However, the placement of the braze-ons, and the design of the rear triangle don't allow for using both a Burley hitch and the fender braze-ons.  The fix was simply attaching the fender stays and the rack posts to the same set of braze-ons (pictured below), so, really, not a big deal.  I mention it only as a heads up for anyone else who wants to use the same fenders and Burley combination that I have.

Rack post, Burley hitch, fender stay installation on Disc Trucker


One other note on this setup; the position of the quick release is in the only functioning position, so I (you) have to pay attention to it's position every time the wheel is removed and reinstalled.

I also want to mention that the Velo Orange fenders are quite fiddly to install.  They are great fenders, and look really nice once installed, but I would suggest having a second set of hands around for when things get tricky.

So, as promised, here are some pictures from the new build I will post better pictures once the process is complete, and the new ride is ready to roll:



I'll cut the steerer tube once I have made sure that the stem height is where it needs to be.

Horrible focus!