Erickson Randonneur/Commuter with Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14

R&E Cycles is a legendary bicycle maker in Seattle, WA. With two brands under their roof - Rodriguez Cycles and Erickson Cycles - they have been hand-building dream bikes for customers around the world since 1973 from their workshop in Seattle’s University District. They build a wide range of frames from classic road bikes to more unique - and often technically demanding - projects such as tandems, S&S coupled travel bikes, and frames with intricate design details. They also build a large number of Rohloff-equipped bikes like this Erickson commuter and are one of our biggest Rohloff SPEEDHUB customers. As their specialty brand, the Erickson line represents their most sophisticated body of work and is focused on one-of-a-kind custom bicycle designs, many of which include complex hand carved lugs. These frames are truly rideable works of art.

This bike was built to fulfill one of their customers' vision for the ideal Rohloff equipped bike. This bike was designed around a swift, yet comfortable randonneur-style frame, ideal for daily commuting around Seattle. The frame’s geometry is precisely tailored to the customer's physical dimensions and preferred handling characteristics. Intricate custom paint work highlights the unique hand-cut lugs.

This frame is a great example of Erickson’s attention to detail and eye for refined custom features. You are immediately drawn to the intricate lattice design of the bilaminate fillet brazed head tube lugs. The contrasting red and black color theme is carried over to the cut-out logos on the custom Rodriguez dropouts. The frame also offers a number of special Rohloff-friendly touches, including internal twin cable routing through the downtube, SPEEDHUB-specific dual cable guides along the chainstay, a mounting tab on the dropout for the Rohloff OEM2 axle plate, and the revered Bushnell eccentric bottom bracket - which Rodrigez fabricates in house - that provides simple chain tensioning. The frame geometry is optimized for the customer’s needs, with an Audax-style configuration that strikes a balance between a nimble road bike and a loaded touring bike. The result is comfortable and stable handling for everyday riding that is still responsive enough for maneuvering quickly through Seattle’s challenging city streets.

The frame also features appropriate fittings for full-coverage fenders to make commutes a bit more enjoyable in wet-weather. Front and rear racks allow plenty of cargo carrying capacity, while a German made dynamo hub generator provides constant power to the integrated light system for unlimited, battery-free night riding. The lighting system consists of a high-power Supernova E3 Pro headlight and taillight, connected to a Schmidt generator hub, which are widely considered the best dynamo hubs on the market today. As an added bonus, the wire for the headlight is run through the left fork blade and the taillight is run through the top tube, which protects it from accidental damage and gives a clean aesthetic.

Erickson selected a rock solid wheel build designed to stand up against all the abuse the rough roads of Seattle have to offer. They began with a pair of heavy duty Alex Adventurer rims, which boast a robust double wall profile while remaining relatively lightweight. The rims were paired with the black anodised Rohloff SPEEDHUB in the rear and a Schmidt SON 28 hub up front. Puncture-resistant Michelin City tires were chosen for their durability and fast rolling tread pattern. Together, they make for a wheel set which is both strong and efficient; ready for the rigors of daily commuting year round.

Erickson’s customer requested the all-weather stopping power of an Avid mechanical disc brake in front. For the rear wheel he preferred the streamlined look of the SPEEDHUB’s internal shift mechanism instead of an external shift box which hangs to the side of the hub. This configuration necessitates the use of a rim brake, so the Trillium Big Squeeze cantilever brake was used in the rear. Machined in house by Rodrigez, these cantilever brakes were originally designed for use on tandems, and offer exceptional adjustability and modulation. This combination provides ample stopping power and makes the cable routing simple and clean.

Erickson reports that their customer was very pleased with the SPEEDHUB’s minimal maintenance requirements and user friendly design. Once installed, the SPEEDHUB requires virtually no service apart from an annual oil change. Because the Rohloff system uses a sealed internal shifting mechanism, water, dirt, and road grime cannot contaminate the gears, which keeps the hub running smoothly even in extreme weather. Commuters in particular depend on the SPEEDHUB because of its day-in, day-out reliability. A Rohloff-equipped bike will be ready to go at any time. Just hop on and ride.

Both Erickson and Rodriguez frames are built-to-order and fabricated and assembled entirely in the USA. Their decades of experience often make them a great choice for customers looking for a top quality custom frame. Contact us if you’re interested in creating a custom Erickson or Rodriguez of your own!

Build Details:

• Frame: Erickson custom randonneur
• Fork: Erickson
• Headset: FSA sealed
• Stem: Origin 8
• Handlebar: FSA
• Shifter: Rohloff
• Grips: Black cork bartape
• Seatpost: Thomson Elite Layback
• Saddle: WTB Speed V
• Seat Clamp: Integrated
• Front Hub: Schmidt SON28
• Rear hub: Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14
• Spokes: Sapim
• Nipples: Sapim
• Rims: Alex Adventurer 26"
• Tires: Michelin City
• Cranks: Origin 8
• Pedals: N/A
• Bottom Bracket: Bushnell eccentric
• Chain ring: Origin 8
• Rear Sprocket: Rohloff
• Chain: SRAM PC 850
• Brakes & Levers: Tektro Ergo levers, Avid BB7 Road front, Trillium Big Squeeze rear
• Front Rotor: Shimano Centerlock
• Extras: Racktime Top-it front rack, Jandd Expedition rear rack, front and rear fenders, Supernova E3 pro headlight and taillight