Jim's Steel Hunter CX w/ Mini Bags

This is my longest-owned bike by a large margin. I bought it used via Craigslist, I believe, (or was it SFFixed?) after many years of hearing about the fantastical qualities of a Hunter. Legend has it that on a Rick Hunter steel steed, one could ride forever, on any terrain, with unmatched speed and agility, all while arriving at your destination feeling fresh and unruffled. Turns out, after a decade of owning one, that’s not too far from the truth.

A quick search confirms I’ll have owned this bike for exactly 10 years next month, coincidentally within a few days of my 40th birthday. I’ve had this bike for precisely 25% of my life! It’s quite possibly my longest-owned functional/mechanical object ever. In all that time, I can confirm it really has stood up to every challenge I’ve thrown at it, from all-day dirt epics to road touring up and down the California coast, and everything in between. In my ownership, there have been some questionable paint choices, a dozen different builds, and one destroyed derailleur hanger, but otherwise no major mishaps.

It has aged remarkably well, having been pretty ahead of its time originally, with disc brakes, a carbon seat tube, and relatively modern standards. Besides the QR rear axle, I can pretty much put any “modern” parts on it still. It’s currently built with a mish-mash Shimano 1x drivetrain; Paul Components stem, front hub and their incredible Klamper brakes; WTB rims, tires and saddle; Thomson post; Ritchey bars; Chris King BB and HS; and King Cages powdercoated black by Myth Cycles. It’s finished off with an Outer Shell Mini Saddlebag and Mini Bar Bag, and a pair of our Psych Cactus bottles illustrated by the ultra-talented Serena Rio.