St Thomas Islander

Custom Mountain Bike

I’m a firm proponent of using the right tool for the job and custom bike building is no exception to this concept. Every bike style has a distinct purpose for optimum use so before beginning a custom build, it is best to examine the environment and terrain in which the bike will be utilized. Once the environment is analyzed completely, then it is time to choose components which meet the standards you seek. In the case of a bike suited for the Virgin Islands, here are my observations.

1. Most of the islands have extremely steep roads.

2. Many secondary roads and trails are either sandy or root strewn.

3. Major paved roads are uneven and have numerous potholes, cracks and loose gravel.

4. At various times of the day, light rain showers wet down roadways and paths.

5. Island locals frequently “island hop” to other close islands and as far as Tortola & Puerto Rico.

6. Locals may carry supplies and groceries long distances.

7. Curvy roads and switchbacks make it necessary to be highly visible during the day and evening,

St Thomas Overlook

Taking the above conditions into consideration, I have assembled a quality bicycle from high-end components that can easily replace a private motor vehicle on St Thomas or any of the Virgin Islands. Owning a bike like this will not only save on costly fuel and auto maintenance but it has added health benefits.

The “St Thomas Islander” build begins with an alloy folding mountain bike frame with high-end components geared low for climbing hills (3×9 gears – 27 speed). This bike is fitted with mechanical disc brakes for worry free downhill runs and Microshift’s excellent flat bar shifters for positive shifting. Wheels are hand built using 36 spoke XT hubs for strength. Tires have a wide aggressive tread for rough roads and are Kevlar reinforced for puncture resistance and long life. All parts are fully serviceable and easily obtained by mail.

This bike build was assembled to be used under the demanding conditions of the Virgin Islands, steep hills, long flat shorelines & sandy trails. It is light enough to fold and carry onto an island ferry or up a flight of stairs yet tough enough for everyday commuter work and cargo hauling (with optional racks), for trips to the grocery store. Because it is assembled in St Thomas, there are no high shipping costs. This bike will give you years of trouble free service with very minimum maintenance. It is a solid investment in low cost transportation and your health.

Here is how I tackled the conditions listed above:

1. Most of the islands have extremely steep roads.

The “Islander” uses a 27 speed Shimano Deore drive train with ultra low “granny gear” for spinning up those steep hillsides. The bike is fitted with Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes front and rear for sure stopping power on downhill runs, even in wet conditions.

2. Many secondary roads and trails are either sandy or root strewn.

3. Major paved roads are uneven and have numerous potholes, cracks and loose gravel.

The “Islander” is fitted with wide Kenda Navigal knobby tires that cling to the road surface, float on sandy areas and bound safely over roots, potholes and curbs.

4. At various times of the day, light rain showers wet down roadways and paths.

The Kenda “Stick-E” downhill rubber compound used on the Navigal tire gives confidence while riding over slippery wet roots and road surfaces.

The Avid BB7 disc brakes stop fast even in wet conditions.

5. Island locals frequently “island hop” to other close islands and as far away as Tortola & Puerto Rico.

We built the “Islander” on the excellent Montague X90 frame so the bike can be folded in half with a flick of a lever. This allows easy carry & storage on ferries, sea planes, buses or boats usually at no additional cost. The small folded size also comes in handy when stowing the bike securely in a closet or small apartment space. Folded size of the “Islander” is 36”x18”x12”

6. Locals may carry supplies and groceries long distances.

With the addition of the optional front and rear racks, 4 waterproof panniers (bike bags) can be attached to allow up to 100 pounds of supplies to be easily carried. The bags are slung low (low rider) near the axles of the wheels for optimum balance and controllability. This setup can also be used for bike camping or extended touring.

7. Curvy roads and switchbacks make it necessary to be highly visible during the day and evening,

We build a quality Dynohub (hub electric generator) into the front wheel of the “Islander” to supply a constant 6 volts of power to ultra bright LED head & tail lights. These lights are on in the daylight to enhance visibility in traffic and at night the bright LEDs light up the roadway ahead like the beam of a car’s headlight. You never have to change batteries or think twice about turning the lights on or off.

In addition to the features listed above, the “Islander” also comes with a new Brooks Cambium waterproof vulcanized rubber & fabric saddle.

For rider comfort we have added a Montague Octagon Steering System to adjust the height of the handlebars for different riding styles and a Jeff Jones H-bar Loop handlebar with multiple hand positions.

The headset is a sealed bearing Chris King 1 1/8” and the steering stem and seat post are manufactured by Thompson.

The end result is a top quality bicycle that is not only utilitarian, it is also super fun to ride. With the folding feature, you can take the “Islander” with you everywhere whether it is to work, shop or play.