BASSI is an original brand developed by the Canadian bike shop C&L Cycles.
Thanks to you all, the brand has been steadily gaining popularity, and we are seeing more and more BASSI owners. Among the models available, the one we see in the shop most often is the Hog’s Back. It is a bike that takes advantage of its versatility as an all-road touring/commuter bike, allowing for a wide variety of builds. Recently, we have been proposing it often with an ATB (All-Terrain Bike) interpretation, but I’d like to introduce a bike we just finished that uses a slightly different approach.
An Interpretation of Randonneur + Commuter
Because it is for daily use as well as long rides on the weekend, we assembled this one with drop bars. We also installed full fenders so the owner can ride without stress on rainy days, resulting in a build that functions as both a randonneur and a commuter.
Components: The Reliable microSHIFT Advent X
Since the owner wants to enjoy long rides and day touring on the weekends, we chose drop bars. The frame has a relatively long head tube design, allowing for a higher handlebar position so the forward-leaning posture isn’t too aggressive even with drop bars. We kept daily comfort in mind with this setup.
Wanting a bike that is reliable for daily use, we chose the microSHIFT Advent X as the main component group. It isn’t about chasing the latest technology, but rather having exactly what you need. That is the philosophy behind the microSHIFT Advent series, and it is a popular choice at Circles for builds with these requirements. This is truly the definition of a well-balanced setup.
The Fenders: The Star of the Show
The fenders are, personally speaking, the stars of this bike. They were proposed based on the owner's desire to ride comfortably even in the rain, and their request for a beautiful aesthetic. Since the tire size is 650B x 47mm, we chose the Turtle 63s, which are a perfect match.
The Smooth 63 has been the standard for this size, but the addition of the new hammered-style Turtle 63 this year has widened the options. The hammered pattern produced by Honjo's secret manufacturing process really makes the bike’s look pop when installed. If you are considering running fenders with 650B x 47mm tires, please definitely consider these!
The frame comes with a center stand mount, so we included a stand for extra utility. Of course, you can attach an aftermarket center stand even without a dedicated mount, but having the mount allows for a more secure installation—this versatility is a key characteristic of the Hog’s Back.
This is a slightly different build style than the Hog’s Back models we have introduced before, but I thought it was an excellent example to share. It would also be cool to go all-in on the commuter concept by adding a hub dynamo and a front rack, so please feel free to consult with us about your own ideas!
We are currently publishing a photo archive of bikes built at Circles.
Use it to spark some inspiration for your own custom build.
