Cyclocross - Vanilla Speedvagen

Better get in line now. And hey, is that drool all over your chin?



speedvagen.com (http://speedvagen.com/)

I think it's cool Vanilla is getting back to its roots with a hard-core race bike. The detailing and innovations are awesome.

Better get in line now. And hey, is that drool all over your chin?
I think it's cool Vanilla is getting back to its roots with a hard-core race bike. The detailing and innovations are awesome.

First... sweet bike, guy. I mean REALLY schweeeeet!

I saw that frame at the NAHBS. Now I see that it's connected to an owner.

Second... I am. That is - I am in line. I put a deposit in last July. I have - what - 15 months to go.

Okay, now how did you come upon the idea of an integrated seat post? Was that your idea? Or did Sacha propose that. Either way, I like it. Nice wheel set too. I was thinking of going with Reynolds carbon cross offering.

It's not my bike. I'm sorry if I gave that impression. In my dreams only. I'm a big fan of Vanilla and wanted to post it here. That's awesome you're getting one. I thought they'd be ready for the 2007 season though. 15 months?

naw, 24 mos.

I'm prolly going the SS route ...not sure yet. Cross and SS will be new to me. I've got a 20+ yr long career as a mtb racer.

Regardless, I'm getting a Vanilla and it's going to be a cross.

Is there a dedicated SS class in Colorado? I did one race on an old SS road bike here in Florida where the cross scene is pretty small. It was fun and all, but since I was pretty much lumped in with everyone else there was no way I could be competitive on a SS. I was pretty much riding around by myself. I went geared after that.

Sick seat tube. I guess yo can do that if the frame is custom to your fit (no need to adjust).

I wish I had a few thousand bucks lying around.

That bike makes me wish for cross season to start.

I couldn't go for the no-adjusting of the seat height thing, not that I have the cash laying around anyways. It looks fantastic though. I'm really into the idea of a ridiculously light single speed these days.

There IS room for adjustment of the saddle height. Look closely-- just under the seat? See the binder bolt?

I can't remember the exact amount, but it's just enough to allow for changes of pedals/shoes or saddles.

Sort of like a really really high seat post collar with a really really short seat post.

Pretty slick.

Re: Delivery date... i thought the idea was to deliver 30 bikes by the time the 2007 cyclocross season started?

Although i guess it doesn't matter. I can't afford one of those anyway.

The seat clamp is a modified Thompson. It allows about 5mm of adjustment. The integrated seatpost is sweeping the high-end road bike market this year. It's stiffer and lighter compared to a traditional seatpost, but it's only for those who know their fit precisely.

Yo Dudes,

Thanks for checking out the Vagen.

I would like to chime in on a couple of details.

1- there will be 30 speedvagen delivered for this cross season.

2- each bike will be made to measure for it's owner.

3- We are machining an externally clamping seatpost (similar to the one pictured on the Prototype pictured above). There will be one centimeter of saddle height adjustment on each bike with the Ideal height for each rider nailed right in the middle. Basically this leaves each rider 5mm of wiggle room in either direction.

4- I am super pumped.

cheers,

Sacha

wow, that thing is sick! I'm too much of a whimp to ride one gear with cross but it is nice and clean without all the cables. I really like the way the brake cable runs through the seat mast and stem...it looks like the left lever controls the rear brake and its hard to see the routing of the right lever through the stem. there was reference to an integrated braking system...

Holy Crap what a cool bike.

I think I just lost all self control right here where I sit.

Please excuse the mess.

If I owned that bike I'ld run the whole race holding it with a clean, white, linen glove.


jim

That is just badass.

And Campy.....

I'll sell something.

Ron

If I owned that bike I'ld run the whole race holding it with a clean, white, linen glove.


jim

You'd be faster on the bike.

:beer:

its beautiful

If I owned that bike I'ld run the whole race holding it with a clean, white, linen glove.


hahahaha.. nice. :)

And yeah, I saw pictures of the bike a while ago and wound up in therapy from it's sheer awesomeh powah. Looks like I'm going to have to go back in again!

My favorite bit (about the frame anyway.. nevermind the Zipps/Campy/etc): brake cable routing through the "seat post".

So, um, has anyone gotten one of these yet? :D

So, um, has anyone gotten one of these yet? :D

They are still in the fabrication process, but the project is on schedule for this season.

We are having a new generation Vanilla dropout machined, specifically for this bike. This is the last piece we are waiting on, and then, shazam!

needless to say, we are all super pumped on this end. :beer:

-Sacha

unbelievable. breathtaking. art.

ps. are they only ss or do they come geared?

A big meh from this corner.

Nice frame, nice components, and beautifully lit photographs.

The through-frame rear cable hanger is gratuitous. And there ought to be a replaceable something between the frame and cable.

being someone who has recieved an application I dont know how much I should say or in what detail since i get the impression that Vanilla is being somewhat secretive....but, the big deciding factor was that the pricing is way too high. I could build an entire 2nd bike, exactly like mine, for what they want for a frame and alpha-q fork and it isnt even a true custom and, to my knowlege, has not been race tested. As much as they want that bike to be for true CX racers, I think it is going to go to more doctors than it will to racers.

I saw pics of this awhile back. Nice work, Sacha.

Then again, everything you do is totally rad!

The through-frame rear cable hanger is gratuitous. And there ought to be a replaceable something between the frame and cable.

Paint is gratuitous. handlebar tape in color is gratuitous. Using bikes for anything besides utility is gratuitous.

What's your point, sourpuss?

And you can replace the little rubber "anti-cable-ping" donuts on the rear brake cable.

Are you from the past?

And you can replace the little rubber "anti-cable-ping" donuts on the rear brake cable.I meant that it appears there is nothing between the frame and the rear brake cable as it exits the seat tube.

Looks like a recipe for frayed cable. Maybe there's something inside the seat tube that routes the cable.

One more thing I just noticed, if you're going to go to the trouble of running the cable through the seatpost, why not run it through the entire top tube?

I guess I shouldn't be so nitpicky about a bike that only costs thousands of dollars.

and I hate to be a downer, but i think if you took the zipps off that bike and put on normal rimmed wheels it would look 1/2 as awesome.

and I hate to be a downer, but i think if you took the zipps off that bike and put on normal rimmed wheels it would look 1/2 as awesome.Perhaps I'm the only person who thinks Zipps, especially with the decals still on, are hideous.

Light weight is more important than aerodynamics in CX (as opposed to, say, road racing). High-quality light aluminum rims with higher spoke count. Velocity Aerohead rims with 32 spokes, for example, would be a nice compromise between weight and aero-ness.

ps. are they only ss or do they come geared?

thanks for the compliments.

the owner has the choice of geared or ss.

-Sacha

I saw pics of this awhile back. Nice work, Sacha.

Then again, everything you do is totally rad!

thanks, man.

It's really exciting to be embarking on a new road like this, and pushing some limits.

-Sacha

I meant that it appears there is nothing between the frame and the rear brake cable as it exits the seat tube.

Looks like a recipe for frayed cable. Maybe there's something inside the seat tube that routes the cable.

One more thing I just noticed, if you're going to go to the trouble of running the cable through the seatpost, why not run it through the entire top tube?

I guess I shouldn't be so nitpicky about a bike that only costs thousands of dollars.

There is a stainless guide inside, but I suppose it is better to speculate than ask.

Also, the reason why the cable isn't going through the top tube is because it would have to exit between the seat stays and would have a funky angle to the brake. The way it is set up now it parallels the seatstays, which looks and runs the cleanest.

-Sacha

Sacha, since you're so good at explaining these things, could you please convince my wife I need one?

There is a stainless guide inside, but I suppose it is better to speculate than ask.Sorry, I'm new here and I thought the advertisements were along the right margin of the page.

My speculation was correct, in any case. Thanks for confirming.

Sorry, I'm new here and I thought the advertisements were along the right margin of the page.
Why don't you buy a welder and some tubing with the money you get from selling your computer? No one will miss you.

No one will miss you.Your mom would.

I'll stay and state my opinions. Feel free to ignore them.

Then again, I'm new here, so maybe we're all supposed to aim for some group consensus?

ja vol!

Sorry, I'm new here and I thought the advertisements were along the right margin of the page.

My speculation was correct, in any case. Thanks for confirming.

I take pride in building bikes that speak for themselves and sell themselves. I have never advertised anywhere, and am not here to push a product.

When there is a tech question, or misinformation, I like to try and clear it up.

btw, which part of your speculation was correct?

-Sacha

being someone who has recieved an application I dont know how much I should say or in what detail since i get the impression that Vanilla is being somewhat secretive....but, the big deciding factor was that the pricing is way too high. I could build an entire 2nd bike, exactly like mine, for what they want for a frame and alpha-q fork and it isnt even a true custom and, to my knowlege, has not been race tested. As much as they want that bike to be for true CX racers, I think it is going to go to more doctors than it will to racers.

it isn't my intention to be secretive. You are welcome to share any information about the project you would like to.

WRT Speedvagen being true custom, you are right, they are not fully custom. There are a lot of design features that make this bike what it is, and those would not want to be changed. The color pallete has been chosen for the year. There will be 4 colors to choose from. Considering that there are only 30 being made, I think it is kind of rad to have like 1 of 5 army green speedvagen ever. That feels special to me.

Where custom is advantagous in a race bike, is with fit and materials selection. Each Speedvagen will be made to measure and the geometry will be designed speciifically for the rider, just as I design each Vanilla from scratch for each rider. Also, tubing thickness will also be taylored to the rider. These are performance enhancing aspects of custom, and so they'll be included as part of the process.

As far as the bikes being "race tested", the geometry, and tubing is the same as what I build for my team. they have been to worlds several times, (with an 11th last year...at worlds), they've taken silver and gold at Nationals, many, many state championships, and have spent time in europe in races with Sven Nys.

I'm sorry to hear that you won't be getting one. with this being a new direction for me, I would really appreciate any feedback about how it could be better. I like how it is shaping up and really just want it to be as good as possible.

Thanks,

Sacha

I think all your bikes are totally effin rad, keep doin what you're doin, and I'll keep dreaming.

Sorry, I'm new here and I thought the advertisements were along the right margin of the page.
Mod note: If you feel any member is violating the user guidelines, feel free to report the post. However, I see no such violations in this thread, nor have I ever seen Sacha close to crossing that line. There is a distinct difference between advertising one's wares and a framebuilder answering questions about his work. :)

Yo Dudes,

Thanks for checking out the Vagen.

I would like to chime in on a couple of details.

1- there will be 30 speedvagen delivered for this cross season.

2- each bike will be made to measure for it's owner.

3- We are machining an externally clamping seatpost (similar to the one pictured on the Prototype pictured above). There will be one centimeter of saddle height adjustment on each bike with the Ideal height for each rider nailed right in the middle. Basically this leaves each rider 5mm of wiggle room in either direction.

4- I am super pumped.

cheers,

Sacha

Very nice bike! will there be a disc brake option for those of us that despise canti brakes? :)

Very nice bike! will there be a disc brake option for those of us that despise canti brakes? :)

Being from the PNW, I definitely see the beauty of discs.

This bike, though, will remain a UCI legal thoroughbred (aka no discs)

-Sacha

Being from the PNW, I definitely see the beauty of discs.

This bike, though, will remain a UCI legal thoroughbred (aka no discs)

-Sacha

thanks!

that is a fine steed! whereabouts are you located?

being someone who has recieved an application I dont know how much I should say or in what detail since i get the impression that Vanilla is being somewhat secretive....but, the big deciding factor was that the pricing is way too high. I could build an entire 2nd bike, exactly like mine, for what they want for a frame and alpha-q fork and it isnt even a true custom and, to my knowlege, has not been race tested. As much as they want that bike to be for true CX racers, I think it is going to go to more doctors than it will to racers.

Hey Cardie,
It would be awesome to see you race on a custom frame. I have a feeling that this is going to be a great season for you

Just sayin'.

Sacha,
It really isnt that I feel I need to keep the info a secret, I'd just rather not badmouth things, I tried to keep it respectable.

Thanks for your reply. I knew that your frames have been raced hard and won on, i read alot of those guys blogs. But my understanding was that you were having special tubing drawn and this frame design was new. So technically, no one has raced on it.

I also did not realize the amount of different options there are in terms of what will go into each one of these bikes. So I sort of stand corrected there as well.

I really like the hype that is built around them. The application package was really cool. I think the frame and fork are going to be great race machines. But the price is really way way out there. It would never be something that i could replace if I crashed. I would never be able to afford a second one for a pit bike. And it costs more than a true custom that you would build. I think it would benifit racers more if you found a way to cut the cost.

I appretiate the oppertunity, and wish the project the best of luck! I am sure the people who have them are going to be cleaning more drool off the bike than they will mud.

incidentally, what is the price?

i am not going to tell, sacha is here, if he'd like to make it public, i will let him, I strangley feel like i shouldnt.

[edit] and it was also my understanding that these frames are going to be DeSalvo built