This week’s Reader’s Rig comes from Joseph in North Carolina, who shares the Crust Nor’Easter he pedals on mountain bike trails, gravel rides, daily commuters, and everything in between. Meet Joseph and read his Nor’Easter love story here…

Words by Joseph RedBeard, photos by Nic Morales

I’m Joe, and my Nor’Easter is the first Crust I fell in love with. At first sight AND upon owning one. The Evasion was the first Tinder Temptress (that I still fantasize about what could have been from time to time), but when I first saw a loaded pair of Nor’Easters on a bikepacking trip in Vermont four years ago, I knew that was the one for me.

Crust Nor'Easter

It took a while, and I flirted and dated a couple of other bicycles over those years. A Romanceur and a Gus Boots. All lovely. All wonderful. But the spark wasn’t there. I wasn’t ready for the ring. But then I got down on my knee and took the plunge (thanks, Shop Pay).

Now, after about one year with it, it’s stuck with me until it breaks. And even then, I’ll have it repaired if possible. It’s run the gauntlet of the Mountain Cat 100, taken every MTB trail I’ve thrown at it since moving to Asheville, another 90+ miles of flat Florida, and every work commute and cafe ride in between. I love this bike. Get one. Seriously, get one.

Crust Nor'Easter

  • Frame/Fork: 58cm Crust Nor’Easter
  • Rims: Velocity Cliffhangers
  • Hubs: Shutter Precision (front) / Velocity (rear)
  • Tires: WTB Riddler 27.5 x 2.4″
  • Handlebars: Crust Nullar Bars
  • Handlebar tape: Grepp
  • Headset: Crust 24 Palms
  • Crankset: Sugino Triple
  • Pedals: Crank Bros Stamp
  • Cassette: Shimano 9-speed
  • Derailleur(s): Shimano XTR M950
  • Brakes: Shimano Deore
  • Shifter(s): Rivendell Silver
  • Saddle: Brooks B17
  • Seatpost: Nitto S83
  • Stem: Nitto Pearl
  • Front bags: Outer Shell basket rando bag
  • Rear bags: Swift Industries Zeitgeist
  • Lights: B+M IQX (front) / B+M µ (rear)
  • Rack: Nitto M-18
  • Other accessories: Wald basket, Spurcycle Bell, King Cage Iris bottle cages, Forager Cable Cherries

Nothing matches the flex and suppleness of a sensually curved and lugged fork and the body/mind connectivity of an outdated 3×9 friction-shifted drivetrain. And don’t even get me started on my opinions on $25 V-brakes compared to whatever disc y’all’s (and my) bikes have. Have a basket? Get a license plate for it. And if you don’t have at least ONE fun reflector or gremlin bell, why even ride bikes?

Find more from Joseph on Instagram.

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