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Smitty Prototype #2

Schlick Cycles Smitty Prototype #2

Like Smitty #1 we started with a hand-built frame from Tom Teesdale. Made with True Temper Verus HT tubes, this frame was painted gloss black to match a sweet Wily 29er fork I have. Since this is a coaster brake bike and no front brake is needed I figured the Wily would provide a great ride since it doesn’t have to be really beefy like the Salsa fork to resist the twisting forces of a front disc brake.

This Smitty uses a Cane Creek S2 Ahead Set, Syncros stem and an old Zoom Brahma bar for the control center. I’m digging the riding position on this bike. Tte stem/bar seem to suit me a bit better than the set up on Smitty#1

I took back my Ritchey saddle from #1 and, like the saddle on that bike, it sits atop a great 27.2 Sasla Shaft™ seatpost.

Again, like #1, a black Sugino crank with a 42-tooth chainring handles the front end of the chain loop while the rear hub, an 8-speed Shimano Nexus hub with a Coaster Brake (Yup, a coaster brake!), handles the rear. A Shimano Micro-shift twist shifter connects us to the hub. The front hub is a Shimano Generator unit to power the headlight.

The rims are Salsa Delgado™ 22.5mm hoops built with Wheelsmith spokes and wearing HUGE Schwalbe Big Apple 2.35 tires. I have a couple of other sets of tires to try but it would take a pretty special set if rubber to replace my Big Apples!

Like Smitty #1, all the parts really work well together and the bike is a blast to ride and, with the refinements to #2, I’ve found my setup!

If you are looking for an All-City, commuter ride the Smitty is a great choice. Let us know how you want yours setup!