This week’s Reader’s Rig comes from Beija in Seattle, who shares her new steel Otso Warakin with a color-coordinated build and some intriguing limited edition bags from Swift Industries. Meet Beija and find her perspective on pursuing joy on two wheels here…

Words by Beija Flor, photos by Andrew Nepsund

Hi, I’m Beija Flor, and I live in Seattle, Washington, where I was also born and raised! Lately, I’ve been calling myself a hat rack since every day, every hour looks different for me. As far as cycling goes, I just love riding bikes. I’ve only been going at it “seriously” for about four years now. Even so, I wouldn’t really say I’m serious about any of it, aside from pursuing joy—in my opinion, bikes are a vehicle for joy.

Beija Flor, Otso Warakin

I currently get around town without a vehicle, which, in Seattle, is a bit of a haul. It has taught me to love hills and to trust myself on two wheels. I commute, putz, ride socially, and sometimes aimlessly. I host monthly social rides for Swift Industries here in town, helping folks feel more comfortable riding around the city, which makes me feel fulfilled. Off the bike, I work in a variety of roles in fashion, marketing, production, creative direction, styling, and literally most things at this point. I like to stay on my toes!

  • Beija Flor, Otso Warakin
  • Beija Flor, Otso Warakin
  • Beija Flor, Otso Warakin

I’ve been riding for Otso for nearly three years now. They launched a painted steel version of the Warakin this year, their bike that does it all. Mine is the British Racing Green color, with pops of cream and brown. I don’t know much about bikes, but I know that I care a lot about how they look and how they feel. I love a burly bike that gets shit done and looks like a bonafide crusher. The most eye-catching bikes to me are the well-loved ones. Maybe they’ve got clapped-out of-era components that weigh a sinful ton. Maybe they’re creaking and whining while in use. Something I do know about bikes is that they’re meant to be ridden hard.

Beija Flor, Otso Warakin
  • Beija Flor, Otso Warakin
  • Beija Flor, Otso Warakin
  • Beija Flor, Otso Warakin
  • Frame/Fork: Otso Warakin, 52cm
  • Rims: Velo Orange Voyager (650b/32h)
  • Hubs: Velo Orange (32h/silver)
  • Tires: Rene Herse Switchback Hill Endurance Casing (650×48)
  • Handlebars: Velo Orange Curvy Bar
  • Grips: PNW Loam
  • Headset: Gold Wolf Tooth ZS w/ Custom Good Weather “Shaka” Ti spacers
  • Crankset: Velo Orange “One-By” 170mm Square Taper
  • Pedals: Wolf Tooth Waveform, Large, Raw Silver
  • Cassette: Shimano XT, 11 Speed, 11-46T
  • Derailleur(s): Shimano XT RD-M8000, long cage
  • Brakes: Shimano XT BL-M8100/BR-M8100
  • Shifter(s): Shimano XT SL-M8130
  • Saddle: Brooks B17 Special, Honey
  • Seatpost: Velo Orange Grand Cru 0 Setback, 27.2
  • Stem: Velo Orange Threadless, 31.8mm
  • Frame bags: Swift Industries Moxie Top Tube Bag (short run releasing soon!)
  • Rear bags: Swift Industries Zeitgeist (short run releasing soon!) + Carradice Bagman
  • Other accessories: Forager Cycles Cable Cherry, Wolf Tooth Morse Titanium Cages

For this build, I reached out to my buddy Jason Marqusee, who co-owns Good Weather Bicycle & Repair here in Seattle, and I also connected with my buddies over at Velo Orange. We dreamed up something functional, beautiful, sturdy, and safe. We looked to chromed-up shiny rando rigs for inspiration. We worked on the concept for three months, sorting out what would work and what wouldn’t. And in one fateful, magical Monday morning, we got this cutie pie built up. She’s everything I’d ever wanted her to be. She’s named Hari, short for haricot vert, my favorite word in French, meaning “green bean.”

I’ll leave you with this: ride your bike, have fun, invest in your joy, and get carried away!

  • Beija Flor, Otso Warakin
  • Beija Flor, Otso Warakin

See more from Beija on Instagram.

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