This bicycle has been updated - click here for the earlier version

Jim: Long promised Updates for # 238, or country bike goes city.

It took a while, but the Hilsen has finally figured out what it wants to be. While its cousins are happily riding over hill and vale, this bike has taken on some jaunty attire and exerts itself happily on the busy city streets of Chicago.

Gone to happy rural homes are the Mustache bars, Silver bar end shifters, Sugino triple crank, IRD front and Shimano rear long reach derailleurs, and the sks fenders.

The here and now include: A swell little half rack custom made by Ahearne of Portland. Velo-Orange supplied NOS Simplex front and rear derailleurs, Simplex shifters, a beautiful constructeur rack, extra long Honjo hammered fenders, and a little stem mount Japanese brass bell.

The TA Triple Cyclotouriste is an e-bay found - individual seller from Belgium. The TA pedals were sourced through the always reliable and enthusiastic bike folks at Chicago's aptly named Boulevard Bikes. Some dumb luck to report here. It is very difficult to find silver cage TA pedals new or used. I did not realize TA made the Cyclotouriste with different pedal threads for France and the rest of the world when I ordered it. Sure enough, this TA is a French model. As it happens, there is still a decent supply of TA French silver pedals on the market.

Rounding out the new additions are Nitto North Road (or Albatross in Rivendell speak) bars, Paul canti-levers and a Fizik Rondine saddle. Turns out the little snap on Fizik saddle pack is the perfect size for the DiNotte lithium battery pack.

Took a while, but it looks great.

(This just in: The dude in Belgium has found some NOS early '80s Simplex shifters. The black resins work fine, but they will have to go to some other bike.)

joelmatthews@mac.com