Ben's Custom 650b Marin Nicasio; Go anywhere build.

Our story as a bicycle shop is really the story of our customers. Here is the story of Ben and his Marin Nicasio.

So who exactly is Ben Buhrman anyway?

I'm a person who stumbled into riding mountain bikes a couple of years ago, which led to me spending lots of money on broken bike parts. This led to me getting into other forms of cycling, which led to me owning more bikes with more parts to break!

So why did you decide to get a Marin Nicasio?

I started commuting to work on a single speed which was, at the time, my only bike besides my mountain bike. I wanted something more rugged and geared but I was on a budget. The Nicasio ticked all the boxes I had, so I sold my single speed and bought one.

Describe a typical ride on your bike?

A typical ride for me is often my regular commute to work. To keep it interesting I will often toss in as much gravel and trail as I can along the way. Fortunately for me, the Marin Nicasio has continued to survive my antics without issue.

What upgrades have you made to customize your ride?

Well, the Nicasio came with everything I needed, but desires and usage change over time. I have made many changes to the original spec and I'm sure I'll keep doing it.

The biggest changes were the upgrade to a 650b WTB Asym wheelset with WTB RoadPlus tires (with a 47mm Sendero and a 47mm Byway in the rear), as well as swapping out the drop bars to an Origin8 Strongbow offroad touring bar.

To get it optimized for commuting I added a Surly front rack,  Wald basket, and Planet Bike fenders.

What is your favorite thing about how you customized your bike?

The wheelset and tires have been the most influential change for me. The additional width adds traction and comfort to every ride. The Nicasio accommodates up to 47mm, which allows for a broad range of versatile tires. Second would be the front rack/basket combo, nothing but utility there.