Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Custom?

Help! I've been on one too (or is that one two) many rides with jrowedc and his pretty pretty Kalavinka. It has me jonesing for a custom of my own pretty badly. Please, talk me down from the ledge. Tell me there's a perfectly fine off-the-peg offering for half the price.

What I want is a track-like frame. I haven't decided if I want true track angles or if I'd like to relax them a little. In theory, I'd prefer a slightly less upright geometry and maybe slightly longer chainstays for better climbing. In practice, my old Fuji has a pretty true track geometry (pretty much the same as the current Track Pro, in fact) and I'm quite happy with it. In any event, I want to keep a tall bottom bracket which many non-track frames don't have.

I want a drilled fork though I'm thinking brakeless bridge out back. I want bottle mounts, clearance for fat tires and fenders if I want, eyelets and braze-ons for a rack should I so desire, as well. I would like to be able to turn this thing into a light tourer if the mood strikes me.

I think good guy Mike Flanigan could hook me up for $1100 (I want a custom color, mang).

Does such a beast exist retail? Am I really just wanting to buy a bike built for me and me alone? Save me, BikeForums!

I feel your pain BT. Back when that Jonnycycles thread was up, I just about lost my mind and came super close to throwing down a deposit immediately. But somehow, I talked myself out of it and think, in the end, i'm better off for it.

I don't understand why you want all that "stuff" on a bike that's tracky...

I'm just a simple man, but if I were you, I would build up a Surly Crosscheck (or something similar... there's the occasional SMOKING deals on Nashbar brand touring frame... there's a great thread about it by regularguy in the touring forum) and make it fixed. The only thing the crosscheck lacks for your needs is the high BB and track geo.

Then, I would get a straight-up track as all hell custom track frame, smooth as a youngin's backside, sans holes.

Like I said. I feel your pain. The custom-lust is a slippery slope. Mind ye well and be careful ;)

What I want is a track-like frame. I haven't decided if I want true track angles or if I'd like to relax them a little. In theory, I'd prefer a slightly less upright geometry and maybe slightly longer chainstays for better climbing. In practice, my old Fuji has a pretty true track geometry (pretty much the same as the current Track Pro, in fact) and I'm quite happy with it. In any event, I want to keep a tall bottom bracket which many non-track frames don't have.

I think good guy Mike Flanigan could hook me up for $1100 (I want a custom color, mang).


Slightly longer chainstays will be slower on climbs than short chainstays. The benefit of longer chainstays is it lengthens the wheelbase which will give you a more comfortable ride over most terrain. But, it won't get you over a hill quicker.

My recommedation is find a frame with 73/74 degree angles. ~41cm chainstay length. ~6.0cm BB drop. And a fork with a 40mm rake.

Many custom builders will have semi-custom frames in various ready to go sizes, with an upcharge for true custom.

DeSalvo (http://www.desalvocycles.com/?p=steel_track&s=) : Columbus Zona for $975

Rich Adams (http://www.bicycleframes.com/frames/single_speed/index.php) : Deda Tres for $800

Longer chainstays prevent the front wheel from lifting on in-the-saddle climbs. They also give you a more stable ride at speed.

Those other bikes look nice, but those prices approach what I'd be looking at if I went with an ANT, so it doesn't really help me with my dilemma.

Call me plain jane, but personally I like the look of a bike that's ready for heavy duty. Eyelets and brazeons don't make you go slower and don't make the bike handle differently, so why not have them except for silly aesthetic fetishism?

Longer chainstays do not prevent front end wobble during climbs. Proper weight distribution keeps your front wheel glued to the ground. I personally have never encountered front end lift while climbing, regardless of steepness.

If you are a tall rider and use a setback seatpost with your weight on the back wheel and use a short stem (<120mm) and grip the tops of the bars, yes you will do wheelies going up a climb. Just fix your position on the bike.

From Technical Q&A with Lennard Zinn from Inside Triathlon (http://www.insidetri.com/train/bike/articles/2461.0.html)


Big guys on bikes
Dear Lennard,
As the specialist in bicycles for tall people, I wonder if you have any thoughts about how to tame an unruly front end on a 64cm frame?

I am 6 foot 4 and ride a Colnago Master Olympic with a straight steel fork, an ITM Goccia quill. The quill diameter is 22.2mm, length is 120mm with 76 deg rise. When climbing, I like to sit up and ride with my hands on the tops of the bars. When I do, the front end gets squirrelly, as if the bike wants to pull a wheelie. No problems when I am riding on the hooks or in the drops.

I've tried riding with my hands spread wide apart, but the front end still feels "light." What can I do to address this problem?
David

Dear David,
Tall bikes under tall riders have a tendency to feel light on the front end, especially if the top tube is too short. It is a weight distribution problem, and I can explain why it happens more to taller riders. In general, road frames from a given company tend to have the same chainstay length for all sizes of a given model. Furthermore, the seat tube on the bigger frames is not only longer, but it is usually also tilted back at a shallower angle.

This means that your butt is higher and further back over the rear wheel, effectively placing your center of gravity further back relative to the wheels than a shorter rider. Combine this with insufficient reach to the bars for the taller rider relative to the shorter one, and you have a bike that will pull wheelies when you climb holding onto the bar tops.

With this bike, I suggest deeply bending your elbows and lowering your chest when climbing to put more weight on the bars. It's not ideal to be forced to do this, but you actually will work your glutes more as a benefit.

You might also try the free frame fit calculator on my Web site: www.zinncycles.com, to see if you have a relatively short top tube and stem, in which case you could increase your stem length and help it a bit.

Lowering your stem will also help, but that may not be ideal, since tall riders on stock frames generally have relatively more drop to the bars from the saddle than shorter riders.
Lennard


And stability at speed is dependent on trail and BB drop. The lower the BB drop the more stable the ride. The longer the trail is the more stable the ride.

You may encounter problems with stability, balance and COG if you use a frame with a high BB and then proceed to dump weight on it through racks and bags. Doesn't Rivendell have a write-up on this?

So, what's wrong with the Kogswell Model G (http://www.kogswell.com/g.html) then? I assume the low BB and slack seat angle?

I was about to suggest the Model G as well. Sounds about right - I suppose the low BB as Jose suggested?

I may also throw Bob Jackson out there as well. Their off the peg Vigorelly is about $650 shipped from the UK and the last time I talked to them about two months ago, the wait was about 10 weeks. Not bad and you get choice of paint color, lug pinstriping and decal.

Also: "Fully cast bottom bracket shell, crown & dropouts, also comes with 1 set of bottle fittings, drilled for front brake & takes 19-28mm tyres. Available with mudguard fittings for winter use at no extra cost if required."

http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=307

Check out Terraferma cycles: www.terrafermacycles.com

Columbus Brain track frames start at $625.

Rich Adams (http://www.bicycleframes.com/frames/single_speed/index.php) : Deda Tres for $800Wooo... I never heard of Rich Adams. And he's pretty close, too. He's going on my list. Thanks!

I say get a frame (non custom) and have it painted your custom color. You can even get decals saying "Custom Built for Trevor" and no one except for you and the painter will ever know. After a while you may even fool yourself.
Now if you were rich....Independent Fabrications is a sweet local company offering Titanium...

I know this is off topic but what is the point of the curved chain stays on some of the bob jackson models ( http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=48&products_id=95 ) ? I like them no matter what the purpose.

Curved chain stays are old school stylin' from Hetchins.


http://www.worldclasscycles.com/moo-5.jpg

See this discussion (http://www.frameforum.net/forum2/lofiversion/index.php/t53.html) on the frame builders forum.

Johnny Coast showed me one his showpiece frames in his studio which had those kind of curvy stays. It looked real pretty.

But, from my understanding, they are flexy. Which is ok, if you understand what you are going after in frame design. But, not ok if you want a stiff track frame.

Edit: Also, David Kirk (http://www.kirkframeworks.com/index.htm) does some nice work with curved seat stays:


http://www.kirkframeworks.com/Jmartin%20400.jpg

If you are drowning in a sea of bike lust, please allow me to hand you a 100lb anchor. :D Sorry.

The new Cycling Plus magazine has an article about three off the shelf fixed bikes sold in the UK. The new Fuji is one of them, an On One "IL pompino" and a Setavento custom Ti bike. Just thought you might like it. Some good information in it.

Have you talked to Circle A? I think you can get what you want very reasonably, but I would invest in paint from another source.

I'd forgotten about the Vigorelli. That should give me just about everthing I want for a not-too-bad price. Part of me is simply in love with the idea of a bike crafted just for me, it's pure luxury. A repaint won't give me that same feeling. I also like the idea that I can just roll down to Holliston one day and talk things over with the guy or swing by and pick it up myself. It's not entirely rational.

And frankly, I have no doubt that Mike can build as good a bike as anyone at IF. I mean he was their welder and painter back in the day. Ti? I guess it's probably nice, but I don't really yearn for it. Paint and a round of Frame Saver is all it needs. This would be a nice day ride, I'd keep the beater for crappy weather.

I may have a life choice coming up in the next few days that will help inform this decision.

You're right custom bikes are terrible.

I got Thylacine to build me a custom road bike and
it pisses me off how amazing it is. I can't get over
how comfortable it is and how I made no compromises.

what pisses me off is that now I can't go back to
stock and now I want a custom fix-gear too.

"Custom bikes: so awesome you'll want to off yourself"

jeff

That cracks me up, but it's so true. My first custom bike has only convinced me that I need another custom bike, but it will be a road bike.

dude got with a Indy Fabrie....sick bike!

Jose, I was just going to post about kirk as well. If I ever get a custom, I'm getting one from him... Unbelievable.

http://www.kirkframeworks.com/Strong%20400.jpg

http://www.kirkframeworks.com/Weaver%20400.jpg

http://www.kirkframeworks.com/Williams%20400.jpg

Sadly, it's probably like $2500, but man... SO hot.

-s

those curved chainstays are amazing. Those kirks are beautiful. I've always thought Vanillas were creame of the crop and still do, but since getting into fixed, I've been steering more towards somthing like jonnycycles or even a Mercian. I need a job that pays more...

Idunno. I think the work that goes into that kind of ornate stuff is amazing. I think Hetchins are just astounding. I just don't think I want to ride something like that.

It's like living in a baroque villa, way too much going on. I'm a more subdued person. If I want flash, it's going to be accents, like a pearlescent paint job or nervex-style lugs.

Wow, I just checked out the KIRK website, those are some beautiful bikes.

Does weight make a difference with seatstays like that? I don't weigh that much so would it affect me as much as someone that's 175? Or is it completely impractical for actually velo racing?

Wow, I just checked out the KIRK website, those are some beautiful bikes.

Does weight make a difference with seatstays like that? I don't weigh that much so would it affect me as much as someone that's 175? Or is it completely impractical for actually velo racing?

If i am mistaken, please let me know, but I didnt see any track bikes on the Kirk site.
Theres lots of other builders that make pretty, performance designed machines like http://rexcycles.com/
and http://www.rocklobstercycles.com/ and http://www.davidsonbicycles.com/html/home.shtml
and what about http://donwalkercycles.com/ , theres plennty of builders who make supernice rigs.

Walt

Kirk does build fix -- the seat cluster below is from a fixed frame he built.

http://www.kirkframeworks.com/Strong%20400.jpg

I love that image... Those lugs are the most beautiful I've seen, don't see those kind around. I'm loving this thread because I'm discovering builders I've never even heard of before, a great eye opener. Now I just need to sell a few organs to pay for a frame... kidney anyone?

If you want to see nice lugs, try going here http://www.bikelugs.com/pacentigallery/index.html where there is a whole page setup of nothing but framebuilders and lugshots
Try going here http://vintagecyclestudios.com/ for some of the best lugs and paintjobs and go here http://www.cwo.com/~lunarlab/1800pic.htm and here http://www.cwo.com/~lunarlab/3200pic.htm for some kickbutt lugwrk.
The carving is nice, but my fave is the simple, clean lines of this http://spectrum-cycles.com/53.htm

You know, the relevancy of the term 'bike pr0n' doesn't really sink in until someone points to a site with 'nice lugs' and you proceed to spend thirty minutes at work wishing you had a bike with lugs that nice.

New site.... Lugs and Jugs... or should it be the other way around. In the words of Homer... mmmmm, luuuuugs...

Mmmm... I was so close to getting arrowpoint lugs on my custom Bob Jackson that's being built but at the last minute I opted for fillet brazing. I'd like to recommend Jackson as an option as well. Don't know how it works out for you in the US but they have been great to work with and accomodated everything I wanted for what is still a ridiculously reasonable price. Their off-the-peg frames are a great deal too and there are still possibilities for some light customisation.

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/9416/dscf12891zg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/773/dscf12860ou.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/5558/dscf12876jh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/4002/dscf12889sm.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

these pictures just came through tonight from japan - they're not great, but i'm certainly drooling, cos i think the frame will be a spectacular ride. can't get too much more custom than having your name engraved in the seat cluster!

i peeped some images of ceya's RAP as well - he's got a gorgeous midnight blue / almost black paint job. looks spectacular.

This is definitely a drool thread. Yeah, I have had a Kirk road frame, and it was absolutely gorgeous. While Sacha at Vanilla does all kinds of innovative stuff and has a really high bling factor, Dave Kirk just does fabulous classic frames -- think of Richard Sachs or any major frame of the 70's or 80's and you've got Dave Kirk, just he does them as well or better. Dave used to do the steel frame building for Serotta.

As for Spectrum, their classic look is fabulous and they have an attention to personal fitting and detail work on their steel frames in particular that's really amazing. If you want cable runs internal to your frame tubes, or custom rack mounts and racks, or extra mounts for lights or whatever, Spectrum is the place to go. Yet they also make probably the nicest pure track steel frames available -- they've done it for years and have it dialed in perfectly. Spectrum and Dave Kirk have two of the nicest frames on the market (you could add Richard Sachs, but that's a 3-year wait), but their styles are quite different. It's just a matter of taste. Can't recommend either one highly enough. And you'll learn more than you ever thought possible about what a frame is really about.

Ok, I've entered Phase I negotiations (I believe Phase II involves convincing the wife that this is really a good idea).

After writing a very lengthy email explaining all what I want and how I plan to use it, Mike basically mailed me back and said, hey, good to hear from you, sounds like you want a Light Roadster.

All well and good except it turns out that that damn Mike is the same size as yours truly. Not only that, but he's just today put his used LR up for sale.

I'm not sure whether I should move forward with a brand new frame or buy his used complete. Here's the breakdown:

Pros:

It comes with better cranks than I have right now on my track bike.
It has better wheels than I have right now (though only marginally).
Honjo fenders!
Chris King HS (though I have a Campy Record right now, but I could sell one)
Dropping the saddle and pedals would drop $100 off my pricetag.
It comes with the long reach brake I would need.
D-rack, baby!
I would have lots of parts to sell or put in the parts bin.
It's only owner is a little old lady who only drives it to church.
For the same price as I would pay for my custom frameset, I could get a complete bike (minus saddle and pedals) with nice components, sweet fenders, and a rack.


Cons:

It has a 70mm BB drop. I want something more along the lines of 60mm. Then again, I ride a 60mm drop w/ 170mm cranks and this comes with 165mm cranks.
I like the fact that I have nice wheels that I built. On the other hand, I could sell his for some cash.
It's used. Of course this doesn't really mean much but there is something special knowing that I'm the first owner of it.
The angles aren't as steep as I might like.
It's not drilled for brakes in the back and the bridge seems to be a little light for doing so. I wanted to be able to go SS for some light SS trail use.
It's black and I was really looking for a light dusty blue or sage.
I'd have to pay cash up front instead of a deposit at the start and the rest on completion.


So, what would you do in my place?

A custom bike will be exactly what you want in every respect. That's not what this is, but it might still be a good deal and worth snatching up.

I say go custom. If you're already in the process of it and such, then you might as well get the bike you *really* want, know what I mean? It'll be your bike to your specs.

Since it seems like you're happy with parts, then the used one, while a good deal, might not be the bike you really want.

Ok, I've entered Phase I negotiations (I believe Phase II involves convincing the wife that this is really a good idea).

After writing a very lengthy email explaining all what I want and how I plan to use it, Mike basically mailed me back and said, hey, good to hear from you, sounds like you want a Light Roadster.

All well and good except it turns out that that damn Mike is the same size as yours truly. Not only that, but he's just today put his used LR up for sale.

I'm not sure whether I should move forward with a brand new frame or buy his used complete. Here's the breakdown:

Pros:

It comes with better cranks than I have right now on my track bike.
It has better wheels than I have right now (though only marginally).
Honjo fenders!
Chris King HS (though I have a Campy Record right now, but I could sell one)
Dropping the saddle and pedals would drop $100 off my pricetag.
It comes with the long reach brake I would need.
D-rack, baby!
I would have lots of parts to sell or put in the parts bin.
It's only owner is a little old lady who only drives it to church.
For the same price as I would pay for my custom frameset, I could get a complete bike (minus saddle and pedals) with nice components, sweet fenders, and a rack.


Cons:

It has a 70mm BB drop. I want something more along the lines of 60mm. Then again, I ride a 60mm drop w/ 170mm cranks and this comes with 165mm cranks.
I like the fact that I have nice wheels that I built. On the other hand, I could sell his for some cash.
It's used. Of course this doesn't really mean much but there is something special knowing that I'm the first owner of it.
The angles aren't as steep as I might like.
It's not drilled for brakes in the back and the bridge seems to be a little light for doing so. I wanted to be able to go SS for some light SS trail use.
It's black and I was really looking for a light dusty blue or sage.
I'd have to pay cash up front instead of a deposit at the start and the rest on completion.


So, what would you do in my place?
I would go custom a) having so precise opinion about what I want (angles, dimensions, holes) and b) being able to build the wheels I like as they are major cost item.

if you're asking us to spend your money, i suspect we'll conclude that you should go with a custom frame.

honestly, instead of second-guessing all those minor details, you'll be happy as PIE knowing you got everything you wanted... and you'll love riding it that much more. i think this is the answer you're looking for. :)

I would go custom a) having so precise opinion about what I want (angles, dimensions, holes) and b) being able to build the wheels I like as they are major cost item.

I just talked to the wife and got a reluctant go-ahead for either option.

I'm going to ponder for a day or two, maybe make a trip down to check the ride if I think I'm going to go with his frame.

The BB drop may not be significant with the shorter cranks, so I'm not so concerned about that. I've emailed Mike again to ask him if he thinks the bridge could be safely drilled if I wanted to go that route. As for the wheels...well I have a nice Pro Max/Open Pro for the rear, but the front is just a cheapo Shimano loose ball hub on an MA3 that I've actually put a small flat spot in anyhow. His are Phils laced to Campy rims. His angles are a little slacker than I might like, but then I'm not a racer, so it's probabl a-ok.

I could get back the cost of a new powder coat just by selling some of the extra parts I'll have left over.

I'm so confused!

ask yourself is 5mm or 1degree is worth feeling like the great deal is less than perfect.

it could go either way.

Yup, now I'm back on the other side of the fence telling myself that I could get the frameset I want (his also doesn't have the rear rack braze-ons) and one of those swanky racks for just $100 more.

I could build up a new wheel or wheelset down the road. The Honjos are nice, but I'm not really convinced that I want them over the plastic Freddy Fenders I have right now.

Of course I'd lose some money by not selling my Fuji as a complete or by selling off all the parts.

On the other hand, I'd have the frame I want. Other components can always be upgraded, but if you end up with a frame that's not quite what you want, there's usually not much to be done for that...

This is terrible. What I need to do is tell myself that either would be a great ride and I have the luxury of having two great options to choose from. I'm going to ponder a little more and go with whatever I feel like tomorrow morning.

so, as someone who not only peered over the ledge but did indeed jump, i have to say, as much as i'm still waiting, even the process of figuring out what i want has been quite rewarding.

i wonder if, perhaps, some of my usual justifications may help you? perhaps you should try these on for size:
- My coworkers all have $20,000 cars. I aught not feel guilty about spending 10% of that on a fine, fine bike that will be a car-substitute.
- I'm a wage earning adult and am sick of denying myself things under the guise of being poor.
- I'm going to die and it's up to me whether i die poor but having denied myself nothing or wealthy but having passed up opportunities.
- My body is shaped strangely and it's not my fault that bike manufacturers force me to get a custom frame.
- Getting a frame with couplers will pay for itself in how often I will save the $75 checked bike fee... eventually.
- I like pretty shiny things.

terraferma! yes, you've even been on one.

http://www.fancyanimals.net/ss/bikaaa.jpg

Yoinks! I'm doing it. I just sent a mail to Mike tonight. He offered to rebuild the rear triangle on the one he has for sale to be more in line with what I want, but I ultimately decided I'd rather get exactly the frame I want and gucci up the rest as I go along.

Anyhow, I'll be the unfashionable guy on the bike with the long wheelbase. :)

It's cool though, I'm expecting this to be a good all-rounder. Fair weather, foul weather, maybe even some winter weather (need to get inside that dude with some Frame Saver though). It'll be my new camp-mobile, too. It's going to be great, just wait and see.

Maybe when we head down to Holliston on October, it'll be in some stage of completion and we can all look at it and say, "hey, I know the guy who's buying that."

Good for you man. That rocks.

>Anyhow, I'll be the unfashionable guy on the bike with the long wheelbase. :)

You will be pleased.
It will move the wheel from under your center of gravity when climbing, but at the same time it will make you lose less of energy for controling the bike when riding gets rough or road gets very steep.

I love the handling of my 93cm wheelbase fixie, but when I ride my usual route across national park nearby I appreciate how smooth my 106cm wheelbase beater handles a rough 1 mile streach of the route.

Same goes for city riding through the old town with cobblestones and streetcar rails - I can actually go faster there on the beater, because I can see :)

Yoinks! I'm doing it. I just sent a mail to Mike tonight. He offered to rebuild the rear triangle on the one he has for sale to be more in line with what I want, but I ultimately decided I'd rather get exactly the frame I want and gucci up the rest as I go along.

Anyhow, I'll be the unfashionable guy on the bike with the long wheelbase. :)

It's cool though, I'm expecting this to be a good all-rounder. Fair weather, foul weather, maybe even some winter weather (need to get inside that dude with some Frame Saver though). It'll be my new camp-mobile, too. It's going to be great, just wait and see.

Maybe when we head down to Holliston on October, it'll be in some stage of completion and we can all look at it and say, "hey, I know the guy who's buying that."


COOL ! Glad to hear you are considering powder coating. Don't skimp on this as you will be disappointed later.

Just remember that the price is a huge deal right now, but, next year you will remember the quality and the ride and you will not care about the price. In other words don't leave anything out now.

Now I have to ride up there when it's done so I can see it in person.

COOL ! Glad to hear you are considering powder coating. Don't skimp on this as you will be disappointed later.

Just remember that the price is a huge deal right now, but, next year you will remember the quality and the ride and you will not care about the price. In other words don't leave anything out now.

Now I have to ride up there when it's done so I can see it in person.

Totally with you and everyone else about the price. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm all about value, but I'm also all about value. If I bought Mike's bike, I could have gotten almost exactly what I wanted. He even offered to rebuild the rear triangle with slightly longer stays for fat tire clearance (it will only fit 28s right now) for my light trail use and a new color for not much more. It was tempting, but I decided I wanted exactly what I wanted.

That means a longer TT than he has a taller BB and all the other little things, even if I don't have as nice of a set of wheels or crinkly silver Honjos. I did spoil myself a bit and spec it out with one of his 57 racks because they look pretty sharp.

In no time it will be money under the bridge and spent on something of durable value rather than just squandered, hard to argue with that. Plus he's giving me the current pricing rather than the flat $1400 any-frame-any-color he's moving to on Saturday.

The wife doesn't get it, but she's trying to be as understanding as she can. It's not clear whether I'll still be in Boston by the time it's done. Mike's currently quoting a 6 month lead, but he said he may try to push mine out sooner than that. Depending on where I go, it may or may not be done in time. It's all very complicated.

I say go custom. If you're already in the process of it and such, then you might as well get the bike you *really* want, know what I mean? It'll be your bike to your specs.

Listen to what he says. I'm in the works of building mine. It's taking time, and I've got a lot of waiting to do. But, it's mine, and it will be what I want it to be. Another option, non lugged, Thylacine. He did a pretty good job of putting my wants to steel and paint. When I get wheels under it, I'll post pictures.

Totally with you and everyone else about the price. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm all about value, but I'm also all about value. If I bought Mike's bike, I could have gotten almost exactly what I wanted. He even offered to rebuild the rear triangle with slightly longer stays for fat tire clearance (it will only fit 28s right now) for my light trail use and a new color for not much more. It was tempting, but I decided I wanted exactly what I wanted.

That means a longer TT than he has a taller BB and all the other little things, even if I don't have as nice of a set of wheels or crinkly silver Honjos. I did spoil myself a bit and spec it out with one of his 57 racks because they look pretty sharp.

In no time it will be money under the bridge and spent on something of durable value rather than just squandered, hard to argue with that. Plus he's giving me the current pricing rather than the flat $1400 any-frame-any-color he's moving to on Saturday.

The wife doesn't get it, but she's trying to be as understanding as she can. It's not clear whether I'll still be in Boston by the time it's done. Mike's currently quoting a 6 month lead, but he said he may try to push mine out sooner than that. Depending on where I go, it may or may not be done in time. It's all very complicated.

Awesome !!! Have a link or a photo of something similar to what you are ordering?

Awesome !!! Have a link or a photo of something similar to what you are ordering?

No! And thankfully so. I'd hate to be spending $1100+ on something I could point to and say, "just like that."

Still, it's a light roadster frame, all hooked up with all the braze-ons, eyelets, and bosses I can carry. Asher's ride is more or less what I'm getting, only in a sage/mint green.

http://beauty.nagog.smasher.net:81/albums/ant/img_4903.sized.jpg
http://beauty.nagog.smasher.net:81/albums/ant/img_4821.sized.jpg

No! And thankfully so. I'd hate to be spending $1100+ on something I could point to and say, "just like that."

Still, it's a light roadster frame, all hooked up with all the braze-ons, eyelets, and bosses I can carry. Asher's ride is more or less what I'm getting, only in a sage/mint green.



VERY NICE ! I like that fork a lot!

Are you getting a fork ~ "SOMEWHAT SIMILAR" ~ :D to that ?

You going with a threaded fork?

Of course he is going with threaded!


I mean you are going with threaded right?! Please say you are going with threaded.


Milo

i'm going up to get sized for my circle a next week. so far the process has been tons of fun. it's an amazing experience purchasing a bike by deciding what you want and then telling someone and it happening rather than deciding what you want and then searching near and far and eventually settling on something similar to what you want but not exactly what you had in mind. i'm not even all the way through the decision making but i feel like a kid having the best birthday ever...

so far we've worked out:

threaded fork
drilled for front brake
no cage bosses or rack mounts
fully lugged
Dedacciai Zerouno tubing (3.75-4lb frame vs 3 lb Deda Zero tubing)
Paul dropouts with built in tensors
a slack track geometry...

still struggling with paint choices... oh the freedom is so hard to deal with! but, asside from the whole power assisted thing, i really like the look of this bike:
http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/global/news/1999/05/19/images/keirin-pas1.jpg