Rambler Updates

I am getting very close to opening the web store for deposits, probably tonight or tomorrow morning.  Everything; shirts, posters, deposits, etc., under the current shop tab will be moving over to the storefront at that time.

You may have noticed the email list sign up box to the right side of the page, I will be using the email list to send out newsletters and such consolidating the Rambler news stuff you will see here on the blog.  As an added bonus there will be special promotions, coupon codes etc for those on the list as things move along.  Please sign up if you are interested, it helps me immensely to consolidate the requests I get for email updates.

The initial price for the Rambler frame, fork and Paul Racer brake will be $1500.  When the official storefront is open I will be taking $800 deposits.  Delivery is projected for 90 days after I am able to get a minimum of 30 orders.  I will add here that if we can reach this goal quickly, or better yet exceed it, that will not only make my day, but my contractor team will likely be motivated to beat this goal.  Remember the email thing I told you about a few lines up?  There will be a couple of ways to sweeten the deal included in newsletter number one, slated for delivery by Friday afternoon.

Until then, get out and ride

 

Putting In the Miles

The fun part of this venture is being my own test pilot.  That means I “Have to” put in the miles every day, no excuses.  Time lines are tight, and I need to push the bike in some aspect every day.

It is a tough job, but somebody has to do it.  I believe there is an added element to products that are tested by their designers, a level of commitment, that they demand firsthand feedback.  I will be getting plenty of outside feedback as well, but there is something inherently good about being willing to push your own designs.  There are plenty of products out there including bikes that have never actually been used by the guys selling them.  Here at Ocean Air, I will be testing everything we produce under our own label.

If you were wondering, today’s test was light load and softish fat tires to see if I could induce shimmy.  I was ale to get it to oscillate a few times, but it would settle right back down on its own, and that is a good thing.

Also of note, it has been scientifically proven that red shirts will not only help you go faster, but be more attractive and possibly feel stronger too.  The best part is that I still have plenty of said shirts available to satiate the incredible market demand.

Tried and Liked Dia-Compe ENE Shifters

As I am getting things going there will be quite a few components passing through my hands and onto bikes.  Some of these will be things I have used for years, some new, and some in the gray area in between.  The ones that I find remarkable will get special mention here on the blog, and may even show up in the soon to emerge online shop.

The first up for review are the new Dia-Compe ENE shifters.  These are mechanically identical to the Silver friction shifters that Rivendell helped to bring back to market a few years back.  The difference is in the look and shape.

The Silver shifters have a more modern like the later Suntour down tube shifters.  The ENE shifters shown here are styled after more traditional or older Campy style.  They offer the same silky smooth ratchet mechanism that we have grown to love over the years.  For those not familiar with friction shifting.  Unlike indexed shifting that you “click” from gear to gear, friction allows you infinite freedom to shift across the range of gears.  For the initiate thee may be a short learning curve, but once you have the control back you will not likely want to give it up.  Friction shifting allows the rider to shift smoothly across a range of gears, mix and match drive train components to you heart’s delight and trim a shift as needed without touching a barrel adjuster.

I prefer this shape to the silver model.  The slightly wider and textured tail of the lever has a better feel.   I also like the look, while not a complete retro-grouch, sometimes the classic styling just works.

The ENE shifter are available as a pair in both a down tube model and bar end configuration.  Both will be offered here for sale in the coming week.  Down Tube shifters will be $44, and Bar End $79.

Thanks for taking a look.

Tinkering Bell

I have an affliction, when I get an idea in my head, and work the whole thing out, I need to make it real, or it will haunt me.  Since I built up Rambler No. 1 the problem of a bell location has been haunting me.  I even considered adding a brazeon during the initial design phases.  Then this morning it hit me,  and when I had 10 minutes to spare at lunch, I was at the bench cutting up a perfectly good Crane bell.

It fits near perfectly over the cable stop, everything works like it should and the way the hammer strike bells work there should be no Auto ring from bumps.

I have seen this done before with the spring strike bells to dress up a naked shift boss, but as far as I know I am the first to piggyback a hammer strike bell like this.  If you have seen it out there let me know.

Now back to work, oh and Happy Friday – Play outside!

Rambler No.3 Version 1

Here is Rambler No.3 as it was built up for last weekend’s ride.  This one is a size 56, with 650b wheels.  The place holder build to get her rolling included Col De La Vie tires, salsa shaft seat post and a vintage Shimano LX crank set all slated to be replaced later this week.

The bikes in this size range, 56 and smaller, will be constructed with 8/5/8 double butted tube sets to provide a lively, yet secure ride for a combined rider/bike/load total up to 240 lbs or so.  It by no means rides stiff, but things could get a little disconcerting if one were to push the load to the outer boundaries.  The sweet spot for total load is probably close to 190 lbs

On to the detailing.  There is plenty of room around the current 38mm tires, and tires up to 42mm and appropriate fenders will not be a problem.

I was able to capture some better shots of the detailing on the light wiring provisions: Fork wire guides Upper DT port and lower ST port.

All sizes will have the rear brake cable routed along the top tube at 6 o’clock.  This will work just as well as any location on the tube for most, but will play well with a frame bag should the rider choose one.  The weight of the bag will not cause any loading or friction on the exposed run of cable, and thus no binding of the brake movement.

I rode the bike around a bit this morning, and other than being small for me, it was a everything I hoped for.  Handling was smooth, with or without hands on the bar, no shimmy, comfortable etc. etc.

As for the two-tone color scheme?  lets just say it is a wonderful way to demo the red and yellow options, and a lesson in the level of direction and clarity needed when coordinating the color for future runs.

The next step is getting the components swapped out, fenders installed and the bike back under a rider for a couple weeks of commuting and after work rides.