Tag: steel

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.

Sneak Peak Number 2

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 for42mm 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 possibly a sunflower yellow or orange still up in the air).

Production samples will be complete in a few weeks, the pre-orders system will be available by the end of February and a final availability date projected for early Spring 2012.  Pricing will be settled in the coming week as we move through our final production costing and design.  As always I appreciate you continued readership and support.  Project news will be updated here as soon as it is available.

Oh, and the name is still leaning towards “Rambler”, although I like fish names

 

Wald 867 Handlebar Review

I bought this bar to get some rear sweep in the grip area for my S&SUB.  Over the years I have used more upright bars then I can keep track of, from super cheep to the Nitto Albatross (B-352AA is my Fav).  The Wald offering comes in at about $20, they are chromed steel for high bling factor and they are made in the U.S.A..  They seemed like a worthy candidate for this budget build.  My inital impressions are good.  On the plus side they are comfy, cheep, made domestically, the straight front will not interfere with the load and they seem pretty strong.  Downside is a bit of slide in the stem (possible stem issue), short grips and they are kind of heavy.

 

The dimensions are, 50cm wide tip to tip, 26cm of straight section in the front, 9cm of rise and 13cm of straight return at the grips.  The return on the grips is almost straight with just a smidge of flare.  The grips are really short, no room for levers and shifters at all.  I have the brake levers here pushed as far into the bend as possible without the levers flaring out too much.

Overall I like these bars in spite of their limitations.  In the application on this bike, single speeds or other times you will not need more than brake levers, these are a perfect and affordable upright bar.  I would buy them again if needed and recommend them if they meet your needs.

As an aside, the keen of eye may have noticed my NOS Jim Blackburn parking brake.  I am not sure if these are still made, but it is fantastic for keeping the bike still while loading.

Bikes In the Garage – 1983 Specialized Sequoia 47cm

This is a recent Ebay acquisition that we could not pass up.  It is the perfect size for my wife, and happens to be the closest to mint Sequoia I will likely ever see.  Every piece is the way it was the day it rolled off the showroom floor, and it was stored indoors for 27 years and only ridden a few times.  I had High hopes, but was stunned once I put it together and wiped it down.  Superbe brakes and pedals, Avocet crankset and Saddle, Suntour derailers, Specialized hubs smooth as butter, and the tires still have the mold witness lines with skin walls in great condition. 

She will ride it for a bit as it is, but it will quite likely get a set of Albatross bars, the 650b wheels and brakes off of her Miyata.  The build quality on the frame is incredible, as nice or nicer than my Rivendell.

Now if only I coud find a 62.5 like this one.