Bikes

Updated May 8, 2012

I am guessing is you have followed my story you may be looking to get a bike that bridges transportation and sport, i.e transportation does not  have to be a mini van.  You like bikes that have a traditional look and styling.  Possibly a preference for traditional french styling from the 40′s and 50′s, with your daily load up front where you can keep an eye on it and get to it without climbing off the bike.  Your previous attempts at this with the commonly available bikes may have left you with a less than optimal handling experience.  Either a bike that was heavier than it needed to be, if it was a light weight had no provisions to carry the load on the bike or if it did the handling was compromised when loaded.

With years of personal research and design study I have addressed these issues with a bike steeped in the lineage of the traditional french touring bikes.  Using modern production techniques and partnering with a U.S. fabrication team to  deliver the look and function you are after with a few bells and whistles thrown in.  The ride will be light and sporty, yet stable with loads for you commute, day rides or the occasional quick load of groceries up front.  It goes without saying there will be provisions for full coverage fenders to keep you and the bike clean during year round riding.  This is the bike you will want for rambles through the countryside, distance rides and randonees, and still able to be your daily steed.  All of this at a price that is competitive in the current market.

The sport touring frame set project is moving along as planned.  The Design spec and engineering is settled in at to 95% point and I am comfortable releasing my Geometry and Tubing Spec:

The line has a range of even sizes from 50 through 62 measures Center of bottom bracket to the center of the intersection with the top tube.  When comparing this to traditional road frames or the size you may ride in your regular bike, consider that the size in the chart will be about 1 to 2 cm smaller due to the distance from the center of the top tube to the top and the generous bottom bracket drop.  For example I ride a 63 or 64 on my Roadeo and Eisentraut, but the 62 above is designed around my needs.

Other things to consider with the spec:

• Clearance for 42mm tires and fenders on all sizes
• These are designed with the provision for Paul Racer brakes mounted with Brazed on bosses.  These provide ample clearance while retaining outstanding performance.  The bridges and brake holes will be located such that a 68-70mm reach brake could be used if the brake bosses were omitted by customer choice.
• Frame construction will be Tig welded double butted 4130 steel.
• The fork will have an investment cast crown and braze-on provisions for small upper and low rider racks as well as lighting wires.
• Down tube shifter bosses
• Double water bottle with reenforcing star mounts on all sizes
• Columbine Quickchainger brazed on for clean and easy rear wheel changes.
• Brazed on fender mounting points placed such that installation will be easy and result in even fender line.
• 130mm rear spacing to work easily with modern road bike components.
• Color options of American flag blue and  red and sunflower yellow

Production samples are complete, testing and review are in progress and the pre-orders system will be available by mid May and a final availability date projected for early Summer 2012.  Pricing will be settled in the coming week as we move through our final production costing and design.  It is looking like the initial offering will be at $1500 for the frame, fork and Paul Racer Brakes.  I am planning a couple of different levels of promotion for the early adopters.  These will likely be discounted components for your final builds as delivery approaches.

The name is now leaning towards “Masu”.  This not only fun to say, but has regional significance as well.  These fish  swim the coastal waters and move up the local rivers to spawn.  The routes you have seen me riding for the last couple of years parallel the routes these fish swim during their life cycle.  They play an important role in the coastal ecosystem.  The current threat to their natural existence, is a bit of a canary in the coal mine for our coastal watershed’s health.  I can start by helping to draw attention to this single piece of the environmental crisis, a baby step, and grow from there.

While the above environmental aspects have not changed, the name of the bike has.  From here forward Ocean Air Cycles model number 1 shall be “Rambler”

As always I appreciate you continued readership and support.  Project news will be updated here as soon as it is available.