Today we’ve got a special Readers’ Rides. While John was in Chico eating all of Travis’ vegan snacks at Paul Component Engineering, he documented Liz’s Alumalith, which Paul had just finished building. Liz is Paul’s partner, and she had her eye on a Ron’s Crust Bikes Alumalith. So Paul built her one, and it’s wild. Read on for some words by Paul himself about the bike…

Liz saw the Alumilith at the Philadelphia Bike Expo in 2022. She said she thought that was the kind of bike for her, which was a first. I took that hint and ran with it, like any adoring bike dork boyfriend. And we’re still together! It’s a miracle, especially considering the curse. If you don’t know about the curse, don’t even worry about it. It shall remain unmentioned. But, IYKYK.

Then, true to form I let it languish in our on site bike shop for at least six months while I collected parts. Liz came up with the color scheme, and I came up with the name “Desert Sunset” after spending a week in the Mojave. Orange, gold and red. Pretty good desert colors, eh?

Then the bike and the parts sat for another few months. All the while the curse is in the back of my head. But, she had mentioned she wanted to build it and learn about how a bike goes together. Had I just discovered a loophole? If she puts it together does that negate the curse? Or at least lower its risk factor?

Putting the bike together with her was a great day. She’s naturally curious about stuff and wants to know at least enough to get home if something went wrong. I pretty much did a couple things but mostly talked her through all the weird threads and thread directions and all the rest.

The bike is a stunner. It looks real good sitting in front of our favorite restaurant, 5th St Steakhouse where we ride together when we’re getting all fancified. Then again it looks just as good in front of the gritty Duffy’s bar on the corner.

Build Spec:

Frame: Ron’s Crust Bikes Alumalith made by Frank the Welder
Fork: Frank the Welder Switch Blade
Seatpost: Paul Tall and Handsome
Seat Collar: Paul
Stem: Paul Boxcar
Bars: Sim Works Ramble
Headset: White Industries
Headset Spacers: White Industries
Brake Levers: Paul Love
Brake Calipers: Paul Moto Lite
Derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace
Shifter: Shimano with Paul Thumbie
Crankset: White Industries
Chainring: White Industries
Rims: Velocity Polished Cliffhanger
Hubs: Paul
Skewers: Paul
Tires: Ultradynamico Mars 2.3″
Saddle: Brooks
Grips: Brooks Cambium

We’d like to thank all of you who submitted Readers Rides builds to be shared here at The Radavist. The response has been incredible and we have so many to share over the next few months. Feel free to submit your bike, listing details, components, and other information. You can also include a portrait of yourself with your bike and your Instagram account! Please, shoot landscape-orientation photos, not portrait. Thanks!