Number One

Bikes number one and two made it here yesterday.  I found the time (read not sleeping) to tear down my Roadeo and get a preliminary build on Number One so I can get to the business of riding it.  I am really happy with this bike, particularly as it is a first sample and we had to just go with a few details that will be refined for production.  I will let the pictures do the talking.

Wiring port for internal routing of lighting wires.  Crown mounted rack bosses.  Tons of room around the Jack Brown 33mm tires.  The Paul Racer brakes are so freaking awesome.

On a side note, I went with the SRAM brake levers on this build.  After years of wrestling with Shimano and Tektro levers, these things practically set up themselves.  The cables just floated through the routing ports without even having to twist, fiddle and hold a flashlight in your teeth to find the little hole.  I really like these.

I am really stoked after a couple of quick rides.  It is everything I expected.  There will be a bit of refinement on things like bridge and boss locations, but only a few mm, nothing that makes you scratch you head and go back to the drawing board.  The colors are fantastic.  Today number 3 and 4 are on their way.  Next build is No.3, then number 2.  It is going to be a crazy weekend.

Stay tuned, way more pictures to come.

16 thoughts on “Number One”

  1. Rob, what a bike!
    Which size is this one? What’s the saddle height? If I didn’t know better, I’d say that you built this expressly for me!
    Is that the final fork bend?
    Your internal light routing looks great to my eyes!
    BTW, you mentioned moving the “bride.” While, I think you meant bridge, but I couldn’t help but think that this things looks a lot better than many of the brides I’ve seen.
    Outstanding, sir!

    1. Number one is a 62, measured C to C, saddle height is close to 79/80 cm. As for the fork bend, I can get it like this for sure, we are working to get it a little lower and tighter on the production run.

      Thanks for the tip on spelling, it was an early fast post.

  2. What (off the shelf) rack would you put up front on this bike?
    I know that Paul has those double ended bolts for their brakes, but I was thinking there might not be clearance to reach the crown with an M-12. I noticed the midfork brazeons, though…
    Thanks!

    1. I will be setting these up with the Nitto Mark’s rack. A little bending of the struts to get to the crown mounts and it should all be good. Final placement of the low rider bosses will likely be set up to accommodate Bruce Gordon low riders, and eventually my own designs. I have an upper rack in the works as well. The plan is a 3 piece system with a top rack and removable low riders.

  3. I’ve seen in a previous post that there might be a possibility to get one without Racers, now that Compass Cycles has the regular center-pull braze-on’s might that be an option?

    Also, is the mid-fork blade bend an aesthetic choice or a cost-saving one? As opposed to a lower and smaller radius bend with the same rake.

    Great work!

    1. I am working with my contractor on how we will accommodate and price custom options like different brake bosses or locations. The problem I see with the Diacompe brazeons is the limitation to mostly brakes that are no longer made, or being tied to the 750. By the time you are done putting expensive bosses on for cheaper brakes you may save $100 or so on your end. That said we are still likely to have options like this available for a price.

      The fork bend is in the middle, but at least it is a gentle curve. We are working on getting it lower ad tighter, but need to improve the tooling. It is not so much a cost issue as it is just getting the tooling and the process dialed in.

      1. This bike looks totally sexy. Is there a change in handling due to location of the fork bend, or is just an aesthetic consideration?

        1. the handling difference comes from the overall increase in rake, and thus the trail measurement for the bike. it handles equally well loaded or not, but the bias for total load towards the front will improve things, and not lead to a degradation in handling as may occur with some bike geometries.

          The location and shape of the bend is mostly aesthetics. Generally the lower and tighter the bend the more pleasing it looks. Debates on how this plays into shock absorption could play out on the web for months. I think as long as there is curve in the fork, and not just cant at the crown you will reap most of the perceived gains.

  4. Can’t wait to hear how the bike worked on today’s ride. That Sulphur Mtn loop is a good test of everything. Racks in the future too? My, my, you’re gonna be a busy guy. We gotta talk about racks.

    dougP

    1. I set both bikes up with the Sram Cross Levers.
      http://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/900-single-speed-brake-lever#/path/term-id/142
      They not only feel great, but line up well with the slight flare of the Nitto RM013 bars. Set up was the easiest I have ever experienced after years of Shimano and Tektro, the cable practically ran itself through and the housing is easy to seat with the lever tightened in place. At on point I buggered a cable (don’t ask) and had to run a new one, with the housing already under the tape, it slid right through like butter. I am not sure I will be able to go back to the “other” levers if I can help it.

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