Chen How's CRUST Stupid Tourist

A mini velo commuter designed for errands, fatherhood, and future adventures.

Some builds start with a frame. Others start with a feeling.

Chen How came to us with a clear idea from the beginning. He wanted a Crust Stupid Tourist, after spotting it online and immediately getting drawn to its unique concept. The goal was simple, to build a fun commuter that could handle daily life, but still have the flexibility to evolve with him.

A bike for commuting, errands, and eventually, even ferrying his son around.

Why the Stupid Tourist?

The Crust Stupid Tourist is not your typical mini velo. What caught Chen How’s attention was the Ritchey Break-Away system, a feature that sets it apart from standard compact bikes. The idea of having a commuter that could potentially be packed down and travelled with in the future made it even more appealing.

It was different, practical, and full of personality.

A Serious Upgrade

This build carried a lot of sentimental value. Chen How was coming from a generic foldable bike and wanted something that truly felt like a step up. Not just in performance, but in identity.

Something built for his lifestyle , something chosen intentionally, a proper upgrade, built from the ground up.

From planning to handover, the entire process took around three months due several shipments delay. As with most custom builds, the details mattered.  Ensuring the direction stayed cohesive while balancing budget, comfort, and future needs.

Key Considerations

The build was guided by a few core priorities:

• Budget - with an initial goal of around $5,000

• Comfort - with fat tyres to keep things smooth and stable

• Component choice - aiming for a neo-vintage feel with modern durability

• Future-proofing - leaving options open for racks and even a child seat setup

It needed to work now, and still make sense years later.

Component Selection with Character

One of the best parts of this build was how much trust Chen How placed in the process. He gave us the creative freedom to recommend what would best suit the bike.

We initially discussed a SRAM Rival eTap 1x setup, but it did not align with the overall look and would have pushed the budget too far. Instead, we focused on putting the budget into the details,  quality parts with excellent finishing and timeless appeal.

Components like Growtac brakes and a Nitto rack helped anchor the build’s classy, purposeful feel.

For the drivetrain, we settled on a Microshift groupset, something that is cost-efficient, reliable, and well-reviewed, without compromising the overall build direction.

Finishing kit and colour choices were largely guided by our recommendations, with Chen How giving the final green light at every stage.

Built to Be Used

This Stupid Tourist was not built to sit around.

It was built for commuting, daily errands, and real life. With the flexibility to grow into something even more capable in the future. A compact bike with a big purpose, and a build that reflects exactly where Chen How is in his cycling journey.

A fun commuter, a future travel companion, and an everyday workhorse,  all rolled into one.

If you are sick of your road bike 
and want something compact and fun, 
we’d love to help you build something that fits into this void of your life.