The Rubik’s Cube Effect: Ammon's New Chessie Build

“Which one do you ride?”

It’s a question I hear constantly—at shows, over email, and on the phone. That simple question usually opens a door. It’s rarely a request for a technical spec sheet or a rehearsed sales pitch; it’s an invitation to an honest talk about the details that actually matter. People are curious about the parts, the logic behind the build, and, most importantly, how it feels to ride. It becomes a story rather than a transaction.

I just finished my newest build, the Chessie, and I wanted to share it as a conversation starter for anyone curious about my personal setup. We really do love to talk bikes.

My Chessie build, like most projects, took a little longer than planned. Instead of following a clean checklist, it came together like solving a Rubik’s Cube.

The original plan was straightforward: an all-black build with a unique saddle and bar tape to accent the drivetrain and wheels. But then, a shift happened. I decided to add a custom frame bag from Wes at Jack’s Sacks. As soon as I committed to that one piece, the "all-black" theme began to unravel.

Suddenly, I was chasing a dozen small decisions. Which shade would look best? If I swap this color, does that piece need to follow? That’s the "Rubik’s Cube effect"—that moment in a build where a single change in compatibility, color, or usage forces a rotation of everything else.

One thing that remained constant was the drivetrain. I’ve always been drawn to the gearing options of Campagnolo's Ekar group, but two things kept me away: mixed reviews on the shifting and the fact that the levers only work with hydraulic disc brakes. To solve this, I used Growtac shifters. This allowed me to run mechanical disc brakes while shifting 13 speeds (ranging from 10-48t) smoothly and quickly.

Mixing expensive parts from different brands can feel like a gamble, but this meshwork surprised me. So far, the shifting is fast and crisp. The only hurdle was the Ekar-specific N3W freehub; since silver N3W wheels are nearly impossible to find, I initially committed to black wheels and components. (Side note: Velo Orange will be releasing silver hubs with N3W compatibility this spring, so there is hope for those wanting a classic silver build!)

Once the drivetrain was dialed, the final "rotation" of the cube began. When my bag finally arrived and I fitted it to the frame, the colors radiated in the sun. The hints of gold, blue, and purple inspired me to scrap the safe black components. I swapped black brakes for purple ones and replaced standard housing with Clear Purple and Mustard housing from SimWorks. To balance the vibrant palette, I actually reverted the saddle and bar tape to more traditional tones, letting the accents do the talking.

I thought I had solved the puzzle and was ready to tape the bars, but the cube gave me one last twist: an email from PNW saying their silver 27.2 dropper posts were finally back in stock.

I suppose I’m just not someone who can stick to a perfectly matched, catalog-style build. I’m incredibly happy with how this eclectic mix came together. While I’m already eyeing a front rack, the Chessie is officially ready for this year’s adventures.