For the most part, I've been quite happy riding fixed and only fixed for the last couple decades, but it is limiting sometimes. And after getting married in 2024, my in-laws encouraged me (strongly) to join the annual hill-climb event in their city. No way I was doing that on my track bike, though, so I set out to scrape together a road bike for as little money as possible.
I got really lucky, and between a little bartering and primarily the generosity of friends, I now have this bike built up and it's fantastic. It's a Viathon R.1 frameset with Knight Composites wheels (alloy rims, which is fine), Shimano GRX 1×11 drivetrain, Panaracer tires. Perhaps a bit of an odd duck in ways, but it rides like a dream.
Super excited about it. Still riding the track bike, but this new build opens up all kinds of possibilities, and it's all just so much fun. Except getting hydraulic disc brakes set up. That part was no fun.
by thealeatorist