Custom Masi Speciale Randonneur

One of our very regular customers in Peninsula has decided to conquer the Paris-Brest-Paris Brevet in 2011. The ride, commonly known as PBP, is held every four years. We quickly decided that no stock bike would fit the bill and that customizing a Masi Speciale Randonneur was the best course of action. (She REALLY loved the paint job).

The Masi Speciale Randonneur fits in the category of "randonneuring" bicycles, as the name would suggest. This small niche fits somewhere between a regular road bike and a touring bike. It needs to be durable and comfortable for long rides like a touring bike, but it does not need to carry a full load like a touring bike, so you still can save a little weight here and there and come closer to the speed of a regular road bike.

There are is one big requirement for equipment for the PBP ride: lighting. The rider must show proof of having a light source that will last for the entire ride. Seeing how most lighting systems do not provide the required burn times, and finding a plug to recharge may be tough, a generator hub fits the bill nicely. This required custom-building the front wheel with a Shimano Dynamo hub and Velocity Fusion rim. While we were at it, just for good measure, we also got a matching Velocity Fusion 36-spoke rear wheel.

The generator hub was one of a couple of changes Derrick came up with. The crankset was also changed to a triple vs. a compact double, and the cassette was changed to offer a little more range of gears. The fenders are the original pair that came with the bike. The headset was upgraded to use sealed cartridge bearings, and it was all topped off with a Brooks leather saddle. Most of the changes where to provide sturdier components for the mileage she is going to have to ride just to qualify for the ride. About the only thing left is to choose which light to go with.

For more info about the Paris-Brest-Paris ride check out this link:
http://www.paris-brest-paris.org/EN/