Our Reader’s Rig of the week comes from Sam in British Columbia, Canada, who shares his fun and fast Crust Romanceur. Meet Sam and find an in-depth look at his colorful steel all-rounder here…

Words by Sam Stewart, photos by Miles Arbour

Hi! I’m Sam. I grew up in Epekwitk, located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. I now live on the west coast on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. I am grateful for these lands which I live on and am able to ride my bike through. 

Crust Romanceur

I spend lots of my time looking for beaches to sleep on, silly trails to walk my bike up, and recently, it feels like I’ve found myself biking through a lot of clearcuts. Any chance I get to sleep on a beach and have a bioluminescent swim, I will take! Last year, my friend Ben introduced me to flying kites, and that’s been such a fun little bike tour accessory! 

  • Crust Romanceur
  • Crust Romanceur

I purchased this bike frame in the summer of 2023 after breaking my Elephant National Forest Explorer. It was essentially the same bike but came in pink; how could I say no!? I swapped everything over, and we were back. It’s been wonderful for riding Vancouver Island logging roads, forested doubletrack, and the occasional warranty-voiding trail. It’s a mix of fun, fast, and foppish. 

Crust Romanceur
  • Crust Romanceur
  • Sam Stewart
  • Crust Romanceur
  • Frame/Fork: Crust Romanceur
  • Rims: Crust
  • Hubs: SON (front) / Unknown (rear)
  • Tires: Rene Herse Switchback Hills
  • Handlebars: Crust Shaka
  • Headset: Crust 24 Palms
  • Crankset: Stronglight 49D 46/30
  • Pedals: Crank Bros Mallet
  • Cassette: Sunrace 10-42 11-speed
  • Derailleur(s): Shimano R7000 105
  • Brakes: Growtac Equal
  • Shifter(s): Shimano R8000 Ultegra
  • Saddle: Specialized Power
  • Seatpost: Ritchey 2 Bolt
  • Stem: Nitto UI-12
  • Front bags: Tim Tas Rek Randonneur Bag
  • Frame bags: HMPL
  • Accessory bags: Porcelain Rocket DSLR
  • Rack: Nitto Mark’s Rack
  • Lights: Supernova
  • Other accessories: Cute Palestine flag made by @bikecrud

One of my favourite things about bikes are bags. I think they’re all so cute! I recently got my hands on this Porcelain Rocket DSLR bag (thank you, Kerry!). I once upon a time met a certain Lucas while touring in Amman, Jordan, and tried to convince him to sell me his Porcelain Rocket and Bunyan Velo Mini Slinger. Obviously, he said no, and eventually, I found one used. It wasn’t big enough, and I’d been searching for the larger one ever since. If anyone else has one, please sell it to me!

Crust Romanceur
  • Crust Romanceur
  • Tim Task Rek

Matt at HMPL makes my favourite framebags. He’s always up for silly challenges like flower pockets, and he’s also really friendly to boot.

You can keep up with Sam on Instagram.

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