Sketchy!
Posted by Susan on April 22, 2011
Here’s my new custom built Sketchy, built by expert frame builder Mike Salvatore of Seven Cycles. Made to fit me and my riding style, it’s light and fast, has plenty of room for fat tires (700 x 35) with fenders, fits a rack on the back, and has triple water bottle mounts.
I wanted a simple mounting solution for rack and fenders.
Since this bike is intended for epic rides (such as D2R2), I wanted a third set of water bottle cage mounts. These also work nicely for holding my Lezyne pump. Though the frame does also have a pump peg, should I decide to carry a “normal” size road pump.
Since I don’t race, I don’t ever find that I need a front ring larger than 42. This triple crankset is converted into a double, with a chain guard in place of the third chainring. This is a simple solution to compatibility issues of using small rings with standard derailleurs. This gearing is enough for me, the chain guard offers a little extra protection against grease when I’m commuting, the weight is negligible, and there is less chainrub in the front.
I’ve put about 1,000 miles on it so far. It’s wonderful to ride.
Lovely Bicycle! said
Susan, you have a blog!
Thanks for the pictures of Sketchy, it’s a very distinct bicycle and I love seeing him (her?) at Harris.
Susan said
Yes, I don’t know what it is about the pink, but I never get tired of looking at her.
somervillain said
Awesome bike! I think I might have seen you on it at yesterday’s D2R2. It was sporting a Berthoud front bag.
Susan said
Thank you. Yes, you did see me, but the Sketchy was naked except for fenders. Nice to see your post about riding dirt roads around Boston.
Deerfield Dirt Road Randonee | Pedaling in Place said
[…] Campy super record carbon road racing rigs to mountain bikes to lovely porteurs. (My favorite was Susan’s Sketchy.) It was easy to follow veterans on the route if one wanted to, but there were many occasions for […]
Steve Park said
Does Mike Salvatore build with titanium too? I’ve always wanted a bike like this except in ti.
Susan said
Hey there Steve!
Mike builds only with steel.