Reader’s Rig: Misery’s Bassi Hog’s Back

Words by Misery Fields (@cyberjocko), photos by Jonathan Chhun (@jochhoo)

Howdy, I’m Misery (pronouns they/them + she/her). I’m originally from Calgary, but crash landed in Montreal in the fall of 2017, and it’s been my home since. I’ve been a bike courier for roughly five years (starting in Vancouver), but I got passionate about cycling by riding track bikes in high school. After a few years and a few too many injuries I’ve gone from SPD pedals and bullhorns to flat pedals and 1x setups. My Bassi Hog’s Back build (affectionately referred to as ‘Hoagie’) has become my new work horse, adventure bike, and grocery store runner. I’m hoping to get out and do some smaller local self-supported overnight trips while the weather gets nicer and wait to see what travelling looks like within Canada in the late summer.

I’ve been going to C&L here in Montreal for most of my bike repairs, and when they announced the Hog’s Back in pink I couldn’t say no. I had the crust fork set up on a 1994 Rocky Mountain Fusion that’s basically old as me, and definitely was feeling the wear of multiple winters and standard rough treatment from messenger work. I figured if I’m already living on bikes for work and pleasure, I might as well invest in something with classic mountain bike sensibilities, with all the modern adventure bike touches. Having the Crust Clydesdale fork has been a dream for carrying heavy boxes of coffee beans, all my camping gear, or enough snacks for an afternoon exploring the bike paths and trails around the island of Montreal. Plus, strangers love the tiny wheel!

With the exception of the Porcelain Rocket seat pack, all the bags I have on the bike are custom made by my good friend Sinkhole Montreal. He’s a one-man sewing operation that specializes in heavy duty cordura bags for bike messengers, bikepackers, and punks. Having a high visibility bike + bags is great for safety and for making people that see me day to day smile. It’s really important to me to create more visibility for women, trans, nonbinary, and POC cyclists of all styles + abilities. I’m very lucky to work for a courier company (Chasseurs Courrier) that is full of wonderful, queer, and accepting bike freaks who love to skill share and support each other. Also, the folks at WTF Bikexplorers have really inspired me to get loud and take up space in the bike world, and to always be learning. Always keep that Positive Mental Attitude!

• Frame/Fork Bassi Hog’s Back x Crust Clydesdale fork
• Rims Alexrims MD21 26” / Alexrims MD24 20”
• Hubs Shimano M525 disc / Deore M525 disc
• Tires Continental Race King, 26 × 2.2″ / Chaoyang BMX 20 x 2.125”
• Handlebars FSA Metropolis
• Headset Tange J-27
• Crankset SRAM NX 32T
• Cassette SRAM PG-1130, 11-42T
• Derailleur SRAM Apex 1
• Brakes Avid BB7 MTB
• Shifter(s) SRAM Apex 1
• Saddle Brooks Cambium C17
• Seatpost Bassi Forged 27.2
• Stem 49N DLX Road
• Front bags Sinkhole Montreal XL messenger bag
• Frame bags Sinkhole Montreal
• Rear bags Porcelain Rocket Vera Seat Pack
• Accessory bags Sinkhole stem bag (Nalgene sized)
• Other accessories AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press

See more from Misery on Instagram @cyberjocko.

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