A Bike Built for Dad

My dad has been increasingly interested in my bicycle builds and a few months back decided that getting back on a bike was how he would shed a few pounds and get his heart and lungs in better shape. He left all the details to me. I built this bike with the idea that this would be his only bike and that it should be comfortable, reliable and versatile. He can use this bike for short jaunts, long rides, picnics and hauling things to and from his workshop. Mostly, it’ll be a comfortable perch to ride along the rivers and lakes near his home.

I delivered the bike to him in western Kentucky--where he and my mother live--this past weekend. He hadn’t seen the bike. He loves it. It fits him well and he’s a big fan of the bar setup and 8-speed indexing thumb shifters.

The frameset and racks were powder coated locally by JHF Finishing.

We had a great weekend of visiting and riding the local roads. Happy riding, dad!

Frame: 1985 Trek 620

Headset: VO Grand Cru sealed bearing

Racks: Dajia Expedition and VO Pass Hunter with integrated decaleur

Saddle: Brooks B72

Cockpit: Soma Oxford bar, Nitto Technomic stem, Sturmey Archer levers, Dia Compe knob, VO elkhide leather wrap and PDG leather grips

Drivetrain: VO Polyvalent crank (46/30) and Grand Cru sealed BB, SRAM PC-870 chain, Ultegra 6500 deraileurs and 8sp indexing shifters mounted to VO thumb shifter mounts

Pedals: VO sealed bearing touring pedals with MKS deep half clips

Cables & Housing: VO braided stainless housing and stainless cables

Brakes: NOS Shimano SLR BR-M732 with Kool Stop Eagle pads

Rear wheel: VO 36h Grand Cru Touring hub, Sapim Race spokes, polished Sun CR-18, 11-28t SRAM cassette

Front wheel: Sanyo H27 dynamo hub, Sapim Race spokes, polished Sun CR-18

Tires: Soma Xpress terra cotta 700x35

Fenders: VO Zeppelin 700c 52mm

Lights: Lumotec IQ Cyo Senso R (dynamo) and Spanninga Plateo (battery), custom made mount



By Justin Hughes

58cm Ross Signature

The Tom Kellog designed Ross Signature models (290S, 292S & 294S) are some of the nicest bicycles the Allentown, PA company ever produced.


The middle child of the Signature line-up is Justin’s favorite as the Golden Arrow group performs as great as it looks. The metallic, deep aqua blue looks amazing and the triple butted Ishiwata tubing provides a light and responsive ride.


A complete restoration was performed with all bearing systems cleaned, lubed and new bearing balls installed. New tires, tubes and cables were all that needed replacing as this bike saw very little use in its 27 years and was stored properly. It’s ready to pound the pavement; it just needs your legs to provide the power. This 58cm bicycle is for sale at Vic's Classic Bikes for only $575.

• Make: Ross


• Model: 1984 Signature 292S


• Frame size: 58cm


• Tubing: Ishiwata EX Cr-Mo Triple Butted


• Wheels: 36h 700c Araya aluminum alloy rims, SS spokes, SR hubs, 14-28t Shimano 6sp freewheel


• Tires: Panaracer Pasela Tourguard 700c x 32mm


• Crankset: 52/42 Shimano Golden Arrow


• BB: Shimano


• Headset: Original (unknown make)


• Brakes: Shimano Golden Arrow levers and calipers


• Derailleurs & Shifters: Shimano Golden Arrow


• Saddle: Original Ross Concor copy


• Seatpost: SR


• Handlebar: SR Custom


• Stem: SR Custom

Justin Builds a Touring Bike

Frame: 25" Schwinn Voyageur (1988 model) Columbus Tenax tubing

Color: Molten Copper powderdoat (black, copper, clear)

Fenders: VO 48mm Fluted

Crankset: Shimano FT-60 (48/38/28 BioPace)(175mm)

Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore (FD-MT60)

Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore (RD-MT60)

Shifters: Dia Compe Silver

Front Hub: Shimano 3N-80 (32h)(DT SS 14ga spokes)

Rear Hub: Shimano 105 (FH-5600)(36h)(DT SS 14ga spokes)

Wheels: VO Diagonale (700c)

Cassette: SRAM 11-28 (8sp)

Chain: SRAM PC-870

Tires: Panaracer Jack Brown (blue label)

Pedals: MKS Touring, Spin II Flip, VO large steel cages, VO Grand Cru laminated straps

Housing: VO Braided SS

Cables: VO

Front Rack: VO Pass Hunter (with integrated decaleur)

Rear Rack: TBD

Headlight: Schmidt E6 (no switch)(VO light mount)

Brakes: VO Grand Cru Cantilever (Kool Stop Thinline pads)

Brake Levers: Shimano BL-L331

Computer: Cateye Strada Wireless

Bottle Cages: VO Moderniste

Seatpost: SR alloy

Rear Cable Hanger: Surly

Front Cable Hanger: Dia Compe QR

Headset: VO Alloy JIS

Stem: Nitto Technomic 80mm

Handlebar: Nitto Noodle 440mm

Saddle: Brooks Champion Flyer Special (honey)

Bar Wrap: Brooks perforated leather (honey)

Justin's Schwinn Voyageur 11.8 - One year later

You may remember Justin who bought a Schwinn Voyaguer 11.8 in solid chrome back in September.

Since his initial purchase, Justin has made more than a few changes including. His favorites include:
1. Wheelset - with VO Diagonal rims
2. Generator Hub - Shimano 3N-80 Dynamo hub powering a Schidt E6 Headlight
3. Crank - VO Gran Cru Crankset
4. Ultegra Drivetrain
5. Fenders - VO Hanjo Le Paon Fenders

Additional changes of note include Shimano Ultegra front and rear derailleurs, DiaCompe GranCompe centerpull brakes, vintage SunTour bar end shifters, A VO decaler and Constructor front rack. Ostrich handlebar bag VO Modernist bottle cage, Nitto Technomic stem.

Why not stop in and see if we can build one for you!

Justin was looking for a unique bike. We started with a Schwinn Voyaguer 11.8 in solid chrome. Added Nitto 44CM noodle handle bars, a longer stem to get the bars higher,Cane Creek aero brake levers, natural cork bar tape, Brooks Flyer honey saddle, Rivendell Grip King pedals, Out your back door military surplus sead bag, and a unique tail light that mounts to a fender brase on.