This week’s Reader’s Rig comes from Sergey in Serbia, who shares the early ’90s Giant Custom 1000 he recently picked up and has been slowly building into the ideal all-rounder for casual grab-and-go adventures. Get to know Sergey and see his bike here…

Words and photos by Sergey Samsonov

My name is Sergey, and I live in Serbia. I work in video production, and I recently realized I could combine my two main passions: cycling and making videos. Bicycles have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I honestly can’t think of a single year when I didn’t own one. After childhood, I got into BMX, then mountain bikes, fixed-gear, and eventually all kinds of bikes, from MTBs to gravel. These days, cycling is less about any particular type of bike for me and more about the feeling of getting out, exploring, and going on little adventures.

Giant Custom 1000

I bought this Giant from a friend not too long ago, and since then I’ve been slowly making changes to it and building it into something that feels more like my own bike. I don’t really have a strict plan for what it should eventually become—I just add things I like and that make it more enjoyable to ride.

  • Giant Custom 1000
  • Giant Custom 1000
  • Giant Custom 1000

I already had a 2013 Kona Jake CX, which I really like and use mostly for training, longer rides, and bikepacking. But I always felt like I didn’t have the right bike to satisfy my love for all those cool accessories like racks, crates, baskets, a leather Brooks saddle, and everything that comes with that classic touring style.

Giant Custom 1000

The Giant turned out to be exactly that bike. One of the things I love most about it is how easy it is to hop on wearing normal clothes and shoes. No special gear, no planning, just grab the bike and go. Somehow, it gives me more emotions and makes me want to go on little adventures.

  • Frame/Fork: Giant Custom 1000 (1991)
  • Rims: Vuelta Airline 3
  • Hubs: Shimano Nexus HN-NX30 (front) / Shimano Deore FH-M510 (rear)
  • Tires: Specialized Pathfinder Pro 42mm
  • Handlebars: NITTO
  • Headset: NITTO
  • Crankset: Shimano Deore LX
  • Pedals: MKS UB-Lite
  • Derailleur(s): Deore XT + LX
  • Brakes: Dia-Compe
  • Shifter(s): Shimano RD-7700
  • Saddle: Brooks Flyer S
  • Seatpost: Ergotec
  • Stem: вынос
  • Frame bags: Topeak
  • Rear bags: Topeak
  • Accessory bags: Topeak
  • Other accessories: Custom front rack by RAX LAB from Serbia

Originally, I was planning to replace the drop bars with a flat touring handlebar, but I recently wrapped the bars in brown Brooks bar tape, and that completely changed my mind. I realized I actually want to keep the drop bars and the friction shifters. There’s something wonderfully romantic and adventurous about that setup.

I feel like I’ve naturally divided the roles of my bikes. The Giant is for pure enjoyment, exploring, and those spontaneous little rides, while the Kona is my training and longer-distance bike. I already have a full bikepacking bag setup for the Kona, while the Giant is the bike I’d love to outfit with vintage-style bags and accessories slowly.

  • Giant Custom 1000
  • Giant Custom 1000
  • Giant Custom 1000

There are still a few things I’d like to add to the Giant. I’m planning to install a rear rack and find the perfect basket for the front. I don’t have a strict plan for how it should eventually look; I think part of the fun is letting the bike evolve naturally.

My wife rides a Specialized Sequoia, so we already have three bikes in our apartment, and storing them all isn’t exactly easy. Sometimes I dream about building an old-school steel mountain bike too, but honestly, I’m not sure we’ll have the space—or the budget—for a fourth bike.

You can find updates from Sergey on Instagram.

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