Donhou Commuter

[bikewithnoname]

Something a bit different from the usual WW machine. I just picked up my new commuter, a custom number from Tom Donhou http://www.donhoubicycles.com/. It might not appeal to all, but is my perfect commuter and I dare say it, it's beautiful!

Build:
Reynolds 853 frame, EBB, Kinesis carbon cyclocross Fork
Custom one piece Bar and Stem
Custom painted full fenders
Elixir 9 Hydraulic Brakes and Rotors
Gates Drive
SRAM Courier Crank (Now a Middleburn RO2)
Hope hubs, Sapim spokes, H-Plus Son Achetype Rims
Conti GP 4 Seasons
Thomson Post
Brooks Swift Saddle, and matching bar tape.
XT trail Pedals
Weight: Not exactly a weenie! 10.4kg


DSC_4124 by bikewithnoname, on Flickr


DSC_4125 by bikewithnoname, on Flickr


DSC_4127 by bikewithnoname, on Flickr


DSC_4126 by bikewithnoname, on Flickr

I'm pretty sure it'll never be this clean again!

[rOYk]

Wow!! this bike look great. I myself use a bike as main transportation and your bike is just what I always dream for..well done my friend, well done!

[quattrings]

What a classy bike! But why go with an eccentric bb and not just track dropouts?

Do you mind me asking in what price range these frames are (PM me please if you don't want to openly adress my question)
I was involved in an accident recently and it totalled my CAAD1. It left me rather banged up as well and it gave me plenty of time to think about what the CAAD's successor will be. I decided on a steel road frame with discs and shimano alfine11 (and some other neat tricks as well)
I've come across State Bicycle Co, which seems like a really good deal, but geometry wise a bit akward. it would need to have disc tabs retrofitted though.

Anyways, this is a super clean build

[jever98]

What a beauty! I hope you have a good lock!!

No gears?

[bikewithnoname]

I went with the EBB as discs and track ends don't really work, you need to go with a funky sliding dropouts or an EBB, and the EBB is cleaner looking plus changing flats is easier.

No gears needed in London

[RichTheRoadie]

Love it. Proper.

Do yourself a favour and get a black Blink-Steady rear light tucked up nice and high on that seatpost for a bit of 'fit and forget' functional elegance.

[Juggler]

Nice... loving the rims... not loving the handlebar/stem combo so much

[Simonhi]

Very tidy, exactly what custom bikes are about, everything you want and nothing you don't.

There seem sto be a real resurgence in custom bike sin the UK at the moment and there are more fine builders around now that at any other time in the last 10-15 years.

People are really starting to appreciate the qualities of steel and aluminium frames custom made to sit them. Not knocking carbon, this is WW afterall, people like Berk, Argonaut, Parlee and Crumpton are doing is really pushing the boundaries in that field but a well built steel or aluminium frame can be a great alternative.

I hope you enjoy the bike, it looks great.

[Valbrona]

That will get nicked in London pronto.

Wheels are a bit too large - assuming they are 28" and not 26" - and tyres too thin for me.

[bikewithnoname]

700cc wheels, just like all my road bikes with 25mm tyres, fine for London commuting as I've used that combo for 8yrs on my old commuter.

MTB wheels look daft (to me) on 59cm+ frames

[HillRPete]

Love the bike, but the grips seem to be very close to the saddle, given that you have a saddle-bars drop?

[mrfish]

Lovely.

[xjbaylor]

That is one of the most beautiful bikes I have ever seen. Well done, good luck hanging on to it!

[dolophonic]

Nice.

[yrodriguez317]

this thing is bad as *f##k*. all the hipsters at your local CM will be hella jealous!