The Crew's Commuters: Part 3

Ready for a change of pace from pristine showroom bikes? What better way to get to know a rider than by checking out their trusty daily companion? In this 3-part series, we're getting up close and personal with the BC team's unique and personality-filled commuter bikes. So, let’s dive in and take a look!

This is Part 3 of ‘The Crew’s Commuters’. Check out Part 1 to see Sarn’s 70s Roberts and G’s Genesis Equilibrium in all their glory, and Part 2 where we take a closer look at Ben’s Bombtrack and John’s Trek FX! 

Lincoln’s All-City Zig Zag

While his usual ride, an Electra Townie E-Bike, is currently undergoing repairs, Lincoln has been relying on his stunning All-City ZigZag for his daily commute. This steel-framed steed may be a bit extra for an everyday commuter, but Lincoln rightly pointed out, "you’ve got to like what you ride otherwise you’ll just get the train!"

Lincoln’s ownership of the ZigZag roughly coincides with the start of his involvement with Special Olympics Surrey, where he leads a group ride every Sunday aboard his All-City. Having been a part of the organisation for over 4 years, Lincoln has seen the cycling club develop, and with 3 out of just 15 members in the cycling club having competed in the Special Olympics World Games, their track record is seriously impressive! (find out more about the amazing work they do here!)

The frame caught Lincoln's eye when he saw it at a bike show, and it was love at first sight. At the time he was looking for something with disc brakes to replace his Pinarello Sestriere – with its traditional lines, steel frame and unique paint job, the ZigZag ticked all the boxes. With the help of Andy from Ison, Lincoln was able to get his hands on one for his personal collection, and 4 years on he hasn’t looked back! Comfortable to ride and a real head-turner, there’s something satisfying in subverting the black & silver standard from recent years.

Drawn to the history, heritage and drop-dead looks, Lincoln has always had Campagnolo on his road bikes, and things weren’t about to change for this bike! Chorus was the perfect match for the ZigZag thanks to its reliable shifting and robust construction without sacrificing aesthetics. Nick from Madison sorted him out with the bombproof DT Swiss wheels, which are fitted with Continental GP 4 Season tyres for a balance of puncture protection, comfort and speed!

No winter bike is complete without mudguards, protecting precious drivetrain components (and your backside!) from the mucky Kent and Surrey lanes. There are plenty of little details to take in on Lincoln’s commuter, including a stem-mounted out front mount to keep things neat up front and so he can mount a camera for safety, Elite steel bottle cages (got to keep it classic!) and K-Edge chain catcher. Lincoln also opts for Look X-Track MTB pedals with this setup, primarily for riding with the Surrey Special Olympics group which will sometimes require getting off to walk up steep hills, but he likes to keep them on year-round now due to their practicality.

The Restrap bar bag is another solution for his Sunday group so contains: tools, spare clothes, gloves, wet wipes etc. – all of the essentials for riding so he can be prepared for any occasion. One thing to note is the foam inserts behind the bar bag to protect the frame – a neat design from Restrap!

Lincoln is already thinking about his next bike and has his sights set on kitting something special out with Campagnolo Record disc. If the Campagnolo PR department sees this, hook him up!

Mariusz’s Cannondale M900/M1000

Put your sunglasses on, Mariusz’s Cannondale has entered the building! This shiny steed isn’t something you see everyday (unless you work at BC!), but it’s purpose built for daily riding – let’s take a closer look.

This is far from just his commuter bike, it's his everything bike – his trusty steed for running errands, cruising the city, and even hitting the mountains. It's a classic Cannondale M900 or M1000 (perhaps someone can help identify it!?) from the early 90s that Mariusz has given a facelift, sanding down the frame to a mirror-like finish and waxing it to a shine to prevent any corrosion.

The original Cannondale Pepperoni fork has been swapped out for a Shogun fork, built to last and really well made, it’s definitely more durable than the original. Up until recently Mariusz was still repping the Shimano XT from the 90s that it would’ve come equipped with, but recently upgraded to a long cage mech so he can tackle some serious terrain. That doesn’t mean he had to sacrifice the classic look, complete with Sugino chainrings and Sachs grip shifters to add to the bike's retro vibe. Believe it or not, he's also rocking the original XT UN72 square taper bottom bracket that it came with, still going strong after all these years! And let's not forget the shiny MKS Japanese pedals that only add to the bike’s bling.

Mariusz has got some serious plans for his Cannondale, with a Gran Canaria sticker on the frame as a hint of things to come, hence the bike's yellow, red, and blue theme! He's slowly converting it into a touring machine, with a Salsa anything cage for a 2-litre Kleen Kanteen and some matching yellow panniers for all his essentials.

Mariusz's wheels are a thing of beauty. He hand-built them himself, using period-correct Ritchey hubs from the 90s and Alexrims rims he located from an old bike shop in Bromley. The wheels are the perfect finishing touch, with matching yellow stickers that complete the theme. He recently fitted some new Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires, which may be a bit heavier, but they're seriously robust and ready for any touring adventure.

Up front, there's plenty of customisation to admire. Mariusz has got MTB bar ends as makeshift aero bars for a speedy commute, and a recycled kids bike bell to make sure he's heard! He's got Bontrager bags all over the place, with tools, patches, and a pump in the frame bag, snacks in the top tube bag, and water in the bar bags. His essentials are never far away.

Mariusz may have other bikes in his stable, but this is the one he rides every day. It's comfy, smooth, reliable, and ready for the adventures that lie ahead!

If you haven’t seen them already, check out Part 1 to find out more about Sarn’s 70s Roberts and G’s Genesis Equilibrium in all their glory, and Part 2 where we take a closer look at Ben’s Bombtrack and John’s Trek FX!