Back in November, I wrote a piece called Custom Bike Reconsiderations that concluded with the lamentation that I chose – chose – to pass on rack and fender braze-ons on my rigid-specific Waltworks V1. 

I’ve used V1 variably as a commuter bike, mountain bike, and wall art since V2 arrived. For a while I considered building it as an XC single speed to compliment the more brutalist build on the V2 but the fact is swapping wheels (29+ v. 29xc) and forks (Rigid, SR Suntour Durolux EQ 120mm, Manitou R7 120mm) takes about five minutes when everything is set up to go. I can hardly justify having a second bike built up given how quick it is to drastically swap the build on the V2. 

So, given how quick it is to Lego my V2 for different applications – and to keep things interesting – I’ve been running my V1 as a city/commuter bike. It’s not exactly what I’d build for purpose, but the true beauty of hardtails is how adaptable they are to a life outside of playing in the forest and I’m running with that. 

I have been using fairly-fast rolling 29×2″ rubber and I think for some of the more XC frames I’ve owned in the past – Niner One9, Gary Fisher Superfly – that would be the setup for a commuter-conversion. The thing with V1 and it’s slacker 66° head tube angle and longish rear center is that it’s not racing to get anywhere. 

What it does do is trade some snap for comfort and, given that it is truly a modern rigid mountain bike, it wants to reward curiosity – take the path never before traveled. I’m not trying to commute anywhere in a hurry, so I purchased some +/- sized WTB Ranger semi-knobbies and my fingers are crossed that they’re going to be perfect for getting around town on pavement, gravel, and XC trails. 

Anyway, with all this downtime ahead of me, the Clairebarian and I decided to strip down the V1 to clean it up, make some changes, and so I can pull the dents out of the wheels I’m using – which were on my last few CushCore-free rigid MTB rides. 

And then I started thinking about how nice it would be to have a rack on the front for running errands and carrying sh*t. Certainly the stable handling lends itself to a carrying a load. This would not be an impossible exercise without rack mounts, but I’m already not in love with my – totally functional – fender mounting job and a rack was only going to make it look even worse. 

V1 is going on a little trip, and when it comes back it will still be sporting the beautiful Toxik Harald dirty-fade, just with a few scars to heal. It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the practical, progressive, and prepossessing work rolling out of WZRD Bikes in Victoria and I’m really stoked that Em does repairs and upgrades.

When my rig returns, ready for a rack and fenders, I’ll post up some photos of the build and complete piece. Hopefully, it won’t be too long after that that I can pedal it around the neighbourhood hunting for beer and coffee. Staying sane with projects like this one in the meantime.