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#ReadersRides #TitaniumHardtail #MountainBikeLove #CoveHummer #SmokestoneBowti #BikeLife #MTBCommunity #LiferBike #CustomFrame #TitaniumDreams #TrailReady #BikeSetup #MTBAdventures #BikeBuilds #RideEveryTrail
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In this edition of Readers’ Rides, Roland and Jon share their beloved titanium hardtail mountain bikes, each with a unique story and emotional attachment that makes them stand out.
Roland L’s Cove Hummer
Roland’s Cove Hummer is more than just a bike; it’s his “lifer bike,” a faithful companion that has been through thick and thin. He describes it as the one bike that will stay with him forever, even as others come and go. The Hummer has been his ride of choice for epic adventures, including trips to Mammoth, Morzine, and Whistler, where it turned heads and sparked envy among fellow riders. It even made an appearance in a magazine feature years ago, riding the Quantocks with Chipps.
The Hummer’s journey hasn’t been without hiccups. After Roland’s previous bike, an Airborne Lucky Strike, was written off, the Hummer became its insurance replacement. There was also a mishap with the courier losing the frame’s rear triangle during a chainsuck repair, which required a trip back to Litespeed for a replacement. Despite these challenges, the bike has remained a constant in Roland’s life, now reserved for special occasions or Sustrans workdays.
Specs and Setup:
- Fork: Fox 32 (not original)
- Wheels/Hubs: Hope Pro 3 (considered collector’s items)
- Tyres: Continental and Maxxis
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT 3×9
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Handlebars & Stem: Syncros / Whyte
- Grips: Onza
- Seatpost: Thomson
- Saddle: SDG
- Size: 18”
- Weight: Unspecified, but Roland jokes that they’ve been together so long that they only ride on special occasions now.
Roland’s bond with the Hummer is palpable, as he reflects on the scrapes and adventures they’ve shared. It’s a bike that’s seen it all, and Roland’s emotional connection to it is a testament to the enduring relationship between a rider and their machine.
Jon C’s Smokestone Bow-ti
Jon’s Smokestone Bow-ti is the culmination of years of longing for a custom titanium frame, a dream inspired by the iconic Merlin, Moots, and Dean bikes of the 1990s. After riding a medium Smokestone Henderson (the alloy version) for several years, Jon found himself between sizes and yearning for a bike that fit perfectly. The Henderson was a versatile “quiver killer,” but the size issue led him to save up for its titanium counterpart, the Bow-ti.
Jon opted for a custom geometry frame, tailored to his preferences. He chose a standard large frame but with a shorter seat tube to accommodate his height and a 170mm Rockshox Reverb dropper post. The frame also features minimal routing for a clean look, with additional bolt-on guides for future-proofing. The rear end is 177mm wide, allowing Jon to use his existing wheels without needing wider 5″ fat bike tyres.
The Bow-ti’s versatility is one of its standout features. It can accommodate fat bike tyres (26″ or 27.5″) as well as 29er wheels, making it suitable for everything from bikepacking to trail riding. Some riders have even created drop-bar versions of the Bow-ti. Jon already had a set of RockShox Bluto suspension forks, Carver Popeye rigid forks, and interchangeable wheels for his Henderson, so most parts seamlessly transferred to the Bow-ti. This modular setup allows Jon to switch configurations in just 10 minutes before heading out.
Specs and Setup:
- Fork: RockShox Bluto & Carver Popeye rigid
- Wheels: Tune hubs with Sapim CX-Ray spokes on Light Bicycle carbon rims, and Hope Fatsnow hubs on Nextie carbon 29er rims
- Tyres: 26″ Surly Nate & 29″ Vittoria Barzo
- Chainset: Cane Creek eeWings (the fat version for added titanium)
- Drivetrain: SRAM XO AXS with a 10-52t cassette
- Brakes: Hope Tech 3 E4 (front) / X2 (rear)
- Handlebars & Stem: 77designz 45mm stem and 35mm rise bars (super lightweight at 85g combined)
- Grips: ODI Dreadlocks
- Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS
- Saddle: Brooks C13 Carved 145mm
- Accessories: Paracord-wrapped chainstay, 76 Projects storage, Fidlock bottle
- Size and Weight: 5’10” and “too heavy” (Jon jokes about his own weight rather than the bike’s)
Jon’s Bow-ti represents the fulfillment of a long-held dream and a testament to the joy of customizing a bike to suit one’s exact needs. The ability to swap components effortlessly, thanks to SRAM AXS, adds another layer of convenience and versatility to this already impressive machine.
Share Your Bike with Readers’ Rides
Whether your bike is a brand-new beauty or an old favorite with a story to tell, Readers’ Rides is the place to showcase it. Send in your submissions, and the team will review them with their “judgemental, expert, lustful eyes.” They’ll highlight the prettiest, the quirkiest, and the bikes with the most compelling narratives for the world to admire and appreciate. So, if you’ve got a bike that’s special to you, don’t hesitate to share it!
Both Roland’s Cove Hummer and Jon’s Smokestone Bow-ti are shining examples of how a bike can become more than just a tool for riding—it can be a companion, a dream realized, and a reflection of the rider’s personality and journey. Whether it’s through shared adventures or meticulous customization, these bikes tell stories that resonate deeply with their owners and fellow riders alike.
