An A. Homer Hilsen 500km review.
Nicholas A
After 500km I feel I have spent enough time on this bike to give it a decent review.
When I was speccing this bike out I was going for a gravel and light touring kind of setup, pushing the limits of tyre clearance with 47c tyres. My main inspiration was basically a more lightweight version of my Appaloosa, and I think I’ve pretty much hit the nail on the head in that regard. I bought the bike through La Chouette in Paris, really great guys to deal with.
The two bikes have a similar overall ride-feel with the long chainstays, but the Homer definitely feels more sprightly.
I’m 6ft2, PBH 91ish, and went with a size 58 as I know I wanted to run drop bars on it, and I also just preferred the proportions overall for a sportier setup. My Appa is a 60.
To start off I went with downtube shifters but quickly changed to bar-ends, they just seemed so far away on the downtube, probably because my saddle is quite high from “sizing down”. Should have gone with the bar ends to begin with but I had a set of levers lying around. You know how it goes.
Of the 500kms I’ve ridden, most of it has been 1-3hr jaunts but I put in a good 5hrs last Thursday which has really cemented my views and fit on this bike.
Most of these rides have been very much in the country bike vein, taking in as much off road as I can string together. The Homer is really at home here, the bike feels so sure footed and yet able to be ridden lightly.
Brake wise I went with Dia Compe long reach (BRS202) rather than the Tektro, for no reason other than availability. The stock pads left a little to be desired, I was going to just wear them out and get something better then but decided life’s too short and got some Kool Stop shoes and pads which have been a great improvement.
The Homer is currently my only bike, everything else is in storage due to a house move and impending renovation. I really feel like I made the right choice with the Homer as my one bike to rule them all for the moment.
Parts breakdown as follows;
Crust Shaka handlebars, Tiagra levers, Silver bar-ends.
Crust rims with SimWorks brass nipples, SON front hub, Deore rear.
Brooks B17 and some no-name seatpost (prime candidate for an unnecessary upgrade)
VO 50.4 crankset, 46/30.
Alivio rear mech and I think an 11/36 cassette.
SON lights front and back.
Riv frame-pump.
Ron's Bikes Fabio's Fanny and tool roll.
Sarah Carlson
jaredwilson
Roberta
Wow, Nicholas. Such a beautiful bike and a beautiful place to ride it. Sounds like you’re going to love your Homer As much as I love mine. I too bought the Homer as a compliment to the Appaloosa. I think you have two fantastic bikes there.
