BLB’s new Hitchhiker frameset is that jack-of-all-trades style bike just waiting to take on a mixed-surface riding adventure. Itching to get built up out of your parts bin, the Hitchhiker is all about versatility both in roads to ride and component build options. Brick Lane is happy to admit that it’s not the first bike to the gravel & touring party, but they wanted a solid platform to build a bike capable for whatever you hope to throw at it.
Brick Lane Bikes steel Hitchhiker all road frameset
The Hitchhiker may just be the bike for those out there not ready to commit. Do you still have a set of cantis and a touring triple collecting dust in a parts bin, but could never justify buying a new frame without disc brake compatibility?
You know you have a bunch of quick release wheels that got replaced with thru-axles. Why not dig a set of downtube friction shifters out of storage and build up an all-road bike?!
Tech Details
The Hitchhiker combines a relatively light Columbus Cromor chromoly tubeset with classic component standards – think 1.125″ straight headtube, 27.2mm seatpost, 68mm threaded bottom bracket, removable cantilever brake studs & IS disc brake tabs, plus full rack and fender mounts.
The bike uses quick release axle drops spaced to 100 & 135mm with a set of long forward-facing dropouts incorporating adjusters to dial in chain tension on single speed setups. (Plus you know it is steel, so a set of 130mm wheels are going to work too.)
The fork gets a lugged crown, curved tapered legs for a smooth ride, and both dropout accessory braze-ons and low-rider rack mounts. Like the frame, the Hitchhiker fork is designed to fit 700c x 40mm tires even with fenders to take on any gravel roads you will find. BLB doesn’t really talk up 650b sizes, because who has QR 650b wheels in an old parts box, but with 700x40mm tire clearance, 650b tire like the 47mm Horizon would fit well too.
All the cable routing is external to keep things straightforward, with guides for full-length rear brake routing and traditional downtube boss to underside of bottom bracket shift wire routing. No Di2 or EPS wire routing, because seriously…
Pricing, Sizing & Availability
This 3300g/7.3lb frameset (including frame with seatpost clamp & fork with an uncut steel steerer) isn’t meant for the weight weenies.
It is meant for cyclists looking for adventure – whether that means loaded touring, bikepacking, or just exploring quiet country roads.
For £450 the Hitchhiker is sold only as a frameset, available in a wide six size range from 48-63cm, and in two colors – two-tone army/sand or titanium gray, both with a satin gloss finish.
Available now from Brick Lane Bikes direct, with free shipping in the UK or EU, it’s up to your imagination as to how to build it up.
