This week’s Reader’s Rig comes from Andre in the Pacific Northwest, who shares the Chiru Kegeti he had custom retrofitted with a Pinion drive for bikepacking, gravel racing, and commuting. Get to know Andrew and check out his unique do-it-all bike here…

Words and photos by Andre Sonne

Hi, my name is Andre. I am originally from Massachusetts, but I currently call the Pacific Northwest home. I’m in the process of moving from Goldendale, Washington, to Klamath Falls, Oregon. I served three combat tours in Iraq as a U.S. Army combat medic, became an Army physician assistant/associate (P.A.), then retired after 19 1/2 years of service with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Chiru Kegeti

As I continued to struggle with PTSD, and my knees continued to hate me more, bikes became a huge part of my life. They have become my go-to place for peace, happiness, and self-care. I discovered bikepacking through BIKEPACKING.com several years ago and became hooked. My longest trip so far is a 400-mile loop through Central Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge. I mostly take short trips when I can, as my wife and I have two young kiddos. I plan to introduce them to the sport of happiness soon.

Chiru Kegeti
  • Chiru Kegeti
  • Chiru Kegeti

My dream ride is the Great Divide Mountain Bike Race (GDMBR), followed by the Transcontinental route. I dabble in racing and big tour rides when possible. I am not a strong racer, but I was a strong athlete and love the competitive fun!

Chiru Kegeti
  • Chiru Kegeti
  • Chiru Kegeti
  • Chiru Kegeti
  • Frame: Chiru Kegeti (modified to fit Pinion)
  • Fork: Rockshox SID Ultimate Race Day, 100mm
  • Rims: I9 Trail S
  • Hubs: SON dynamo (front) / I9 Hydra (rear)
  • Tires: Teravail Sparwood (front) / Teravail Rutland (rear)
  • Handlebars: ENVE Gravel
  • Headset: Cane Creek
  • Crankset: Pinion-specific 165mm
  • Pedals: Magped Sport 2
  • Cassette: 39×39
  • Brakes: TRP
  • Shifter(s): Pinion Smart.shift TRP
  • Saddle: Specialized Power Pro w/ Mirror
  • Seatpost: Cane Creek Eesilk
  • Front bags: Bags by Bird Goldback
  • Frame bags: Swift Industries
  • Rear bags: Apidura
  • Accessory bags: Restrap
  • Other accessories: Sinewave 2 dynamo light/charger

My bike is named “The Cicada” to match the I9 freehummm of satisfaction. She started her life as a demo bike in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We found each other online, and it was love at first sight. When I moved to Washington in mid-2023, I became Pinion-curious and started wondering whether I could find a way to convert my beloved riding partner to a Pinion drive. I discovered Dave at Ti-Cycles in Portland, Oregon, and reached out. He performed his magic, and boom! The Cicada got her Pinion wings. She is my bikepacking rig, go-to gravel racer, and preferred commuting partner.

Chiru Kegeti

You can see more from Andre on Instagram.

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