Raleigh Sojourn

The Raleigh Sojourn is classified as a touring bike, but it would also make an excellent commuter or all-arounder. Currently available at REI for $1,000.

There is much to like about this bike: aged Brooks saddle and matching bar tape; bar-end shifters; standard rack and SKS fenders; disc brakes; and the Reynolds 520 steel frame. Here are two reviews of the 2008 model:

Dirtrag Magazine

Bicycling Magazine


2009 Specs:

Sizes: 53/55/57/59/62cm

Frame: Reynolds 520 Butted Cr-Mo w/CNC dropouts, Spoke holders, pump peg

Fork: 4130 Cr-Mo Cross w/Disc Mounts

Cranks: Shimano FC-R453 Octalink 30/39/50t

Bottom Bracket: Shimano Octalink

F. Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra

R. Derailleur: Shimano Deore

Shifter: Shimano Dura-Ace Bar End, 9spd

Brake Levers: Tektro R200 Aero Road Levers

Brakes: Avid BB5 Road 160/140mm rotor

Gear: SRAM PG-950 9spd (11-34)

Rims: Freedom CTX 2.3 Trekking Double Wall

Tires: Vittoria Rondenour Cross w/Reflective Side 700x35c

Pedals: Wellgo M21, alloy body/cage

Handlebar: WTB Mtn Drop, 31.8

Stem: Alloy 3D Forged Ahead 2 bolt Clamp

Seatpost: Alloy Micro adjust 26.8 x 350mm

Seat: Brooks B17 Aged

Headset: 1-1/8 threadless

Colors: Khaki

Chain: KMC Z9000

Hubset: (F) Joytech Disc 32h (R) Joytech Disc 32h

Spokes: 14g Stainless MAC w/Alloy Nipples

Grips: Brooks Leather, Drk Brown

Extras: SKS Fenders, Cateye reflector set, Bell, Water bottle mounts, Rack, Lezyne Pressure Drive pump, Owners Manual

Surly Cross-Check

The Surly Cross-Check is probably one of the most popular all-rounders, so it's about time we mentioned it here. At City Bikes, you can purchase the complete bike for $1,050 or the frameset for $410.

The frame is steel, and it has eyelets for fenders and braze-ons for a rear rack. The fork allows plenty of room for wider tires.

Here's the specs for the complete bike:

Frame: 4130 CroMoly steel. Main triangle double-butted. TIG-welded. Rear rack bosses

Fork: CroMoly, lugged + brazed crown. 1-1/8" threadless steerer

Headset: Ritchey Logic Comp. 1-1/8" threadless, w/ 15mm spacers
(+ 10mm clamp-on hanger = 25mm stack total). Black

Stem: Kalloy 1-1/8" threadless. Forged. Black

Handlebars: Salsa Moto Ace Bell-Lap 26.0mm clamp diameter. Black

Brake Levers: Tektro #R200A standard levers on 52-62cm sizes, R100A small hand levers on 42-50cm

Brakes: Tektro Oryx cantilever #992, black

Shift Levers: Shimano Bar-end type #SL-BS77. 9-Speed

Front Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra #FD-4500 Double

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra #RD-4500-GS Mid-cage

Crankset: Andel Forged arms, Silver aluminum, granny ring compatible. 110mm BCD rings, 36 & 48t, ramped and pinned, Black

Pedals NOT INCLUDED

Bottom Bracket: Shimano Deore LX #BB-UN54, 68x113mm

Seatpost: Kalloy Uno 27.2mm x 250mm. Black

Saddle: WTB SST Steel rails. Black

Cassette: Shimano Tiagra #HG-53 9-speed 12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25t

Chain: Shimano HG-73 9-Speed compatible

Hubs: Shimano Deore #HU-M510. 32 hole, 100mm O.L.D. front, 135mm O.L.D. rear.

Rims: Alex #AL-DA16. 32 hole x 700c. Black

Tires: Ritchey SpeedMax Cross 700x32 Wire bead. Black wall

For fun, check out the Surly blog.

Smoothie ES; Part II

Here is my sister's Smoothie ES frame and fork (by Soma Fabrications) built up as a comfortable & stylish town bike. The rain in Portland appears to have infiltrated my camera, but you can still make out the important elements: upright and swept-back handlebars, platform pedals, full fenders, and a dynamo headlight.

The Smoothie ES is a light and sporty frame, but it doesn't have to be set up as a road bike. This bike is light and sporty AND comfortable and stylish! Also, the Cobalt Blue is luscious.

In case you missed it, here's a link back to Part I, regarding the Soma Smoothie ES.

Pake C'Mute

Pake (pronounced "Pah-Kay,")" calls the C'Mute "a tough jack of many trades frame... fast commuter, sport tourer, CX, geared or single speed." It's made by the same people who make Soma frames, and the Soma Store sells the C'Mute fork and frame for $360. You may also find a dealer who will special order you the complete bike... prices will vary.

The frame really is built as an all-rounder, with double eyelets and clearance for wide tires. The horizontal dropout allows it to easily be converted to a single or fixed gear.



Specs:

Frame: Butted Tange 4130 CrMo tubeset. Sizes 47-60 cm.
Clearance for 35c tires with fenders.
Decals: Removable w/o stripping clearcoat
Horizonal dropouts (updated to a longer slot for 2009)
Optional unicrown steel fork w/ rack and fender mounts and low rider pannier mounts;
44mm rake, matching paint
Extended headtube
Color: Pave-Mint

Fuji Cambridge

The Fuji Cambridge offers a steel, lugged frame with a Shimano Nexus internal 8-speed rear hub. It also includes a rack & fenders. For all this -- well, let's say the price is quite a bit steeper than the Palisade -- the MSRP is $1,250.

Specs:

Sizes 52cm, 56cm, 60cm

Color(s) Black/Chrome

Main frame Fuji Double Butted Cro-Mo, Lugged

Rear triangle Fuji Cro-Mo Custom Taper, Lugged

Fork Fuji Crom-Mo Steerer, Cro-Mo Custom Taper, 1" Threaded

Crankset Fuji forged alloy, Square taper, 38T

Bottom bracket Sealed Cartridge Bearing ST

Pedals Fuji Alloy Platform

Shifters Shimano SL-8S20 for internal 8spd.

Cassette Shimano KSMGEAR16S, 16T

Chain KMC Z-410 RB

Front hub Fuji Sealed Alloy, 32H, QR

Rear hub Shimano NEXUS, KSG8R56VSA, 8spd Internal, 32H

Spokes 14G Stainless Steel

Rims Jalco DM-27 EN, Double Wall Alloy, 36H

Tires Kenda K-193, 700 X 38c

Tubes Kenda Schrader

Brake set Tektro R556, Dual Pivot

Brake levers Tektro RX 1.0

Headset Tange SE-32DX 1" Threaded

Handlebar Fuji Classic Mustache 22.2 Alloy

Stem Fuji Forged Alloy, Classic Quill

Tape/grip Fuji Classic Stitched Comfort

Saddle Fuji Classic w/Spring & Rivets

Seat post Fuji Micro-Adjust Alloy, 27.2, 250mm

Fuji Custom Rack and Fenders

Fuji Palisade 1.0

Fuji has a lot of interesting models out right now, and its Palisade caught my attention as a BFROU candidate.

Fuji deserves credit for paying attention to details on this "low-end" bike and not producing a lame hybrid with flat bars that has become the generic "city bike" offering of its competitors. Instead, Fuji outfitted this with a classic mustache handlebar that allows many more hand positions, and a front rack that has a built-in beverage holder. Just beautiful. The MSRP is $470.

Here are the specs:

SIZES: 15", 17", 19", 21", 23"

COLOR(S) Emory Blue, Gun Metal Gray, Cranberry

MAIN FRAME Fuji Altair 1 Alloy w/Tear Drop down tube, Double water bottle mounts

REAR TRIANGLE Fuji Altair 1 custom tapered Alloy, Fuji forged road dropout with replaceable derailleur hanger

FORK Fuji 1 1/8" Hi-Ten Aero w/eyelets and forged dropouts

CRANKSET Fuji Alloy Forged 28/28/48T Chainrings

BOTTOM BRACKET Sealed Cartridge Bearing ST

PEDALS Fuji, Black Plastic Platform

FRONT DERAILLEUR MicroShift FD-M22

REAR DERAILLEUR MicroShift 7spd, RD-M35

SHIFTERS Microshift TS70-7

CASSETTE Fuji W4770D, 13-34T 7sp.

CHAIN KMC CNM54-Y, 7-speed

WHEELSET Fuji Sealed Alloy, 36H B.O. / Fuji Sealed Alloy, 36H B.O. / 14G Stainless Steel / Weinmann CN520 Alloy, 36H

TIRES Fuji, 700 x 32c
TUBES Fuji Schrader

BRAKE SET Promax-V, Forged Alloy, Linear Pull

BRAKE LEVERS Promax Alloy RA-320D

HEADSET Fuji 1 1/8" Standard Semi Cartridge

HANDLEBAR Fuji Classic Mustache, 25.4, Alloy

STEM Fuji Forged Alloy

TAPE/GRIP Fuji Comfort Rubber

SADDLE Fuji Sport Comfort

SEAT POST Fuji Micro-Adjust Alloy, 27.2, 300mm

SEAT CLAMP Fuji Alloy, 31.8mm, QR

OTHER Alloy Water bottle cage for hand bars / Front rack

Soma Smoothie ES

Soma sells its Smoothie ES Road Sport Frame, constructed from tange heat-treated chromoly, for $400.

The frame has rear rack and fender mounts, and it will fit 32c tires with fenders. It comes with a carbon or steel fork, and requires long reach 57mm caliper brakes. The Smoothie ES is available in 11 sizes, ranging from 46cm to 66cm.

Basically, this is a quality steel frame for someone who wants to build their own commuter or touring bike. It has a relaxed geometry, which should make for a comfortable ride.

Here's what it looks like built-up (via Velospace):



And here's two reviews from Smoothie ES owners:

Crosswrench: The good & the bad after hitting the 2000km mark.

Nooksack: How he built up his Smoothie.