New Rob Roy Group Buy Thread.

[dwainedibbly]

My (or should I say, "my wife's") black frame arrived on Wednesday. It looks good. She's trying to decide if she's going to have it powdercoated purple. We "discussed" spending $150 to powdercoat a $160 frame, but, hey, I know to pick my battles. :)

[beforeimpact]

Got 2 green frames yesterday. Both perfect in every way. I couldn't be happier (well, except for the wait).

[Ronsonic]

My (or should I say, "my wife's") black frame arrived on Wednesday. It looks good. She's trying to decide if she's going to have it powdercoated purple. We "discussed" spending $150 to powdercoat a $160 frame, but, hey, I know to pick my battles. :)

Doesn't that just mean there's more available budget to powder coat a $150 frame than there is for a $300 frame?

Makes sense to me.

Ron

[Ronsonic]

On the "bent tube" thing: I just got my orange and it appears that the tube is very slightly flattened in the area of the lower ST bottle bung. I'd bet that's what some of the other guys are seeing also. I may spend a couple spare moments with some instruments of science and verify, but this is so trivial as to be nonexistent to me.

Finish is good, better than I'd expected and all the welds look full and smooth.

I'm digging it the most. For now I'm just going to use the wheels and tires I've got at hand (unless I find a real bargain while shopping the parts I need to buy), but it looks like lots of room for something like a 45 up front and a 38 in back. That will handle my local trails handy like.

Ron

[l33twarezhax0r]

Got 2 green frames yesterday. Both perfect in every way. I couldn't be happier (well, except for the wait).

post pictures! pleeeeaassseeee!

[l33twarezhax0r]

regarding the "bent tube thing." it seems that some frames are fine, and others are bent. Is there any correlation between frame size and bentnessosity? For example, are all 56's bent, but no other size?

[beforeimpact]

Here's a pic- Mine still needs a bunch of parts, but my wife's is almost done. Just waiting on a few final pieces.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/aaronalexander/DSC01806.jpg

[jhota]

got mine today. i've got the "bent tube" issue too - but honestly, if someone else hadn't brought it up? i'd never have noticed. i can't even see it without laying a straight edge on the frame. i'm super-happy.

now it's parts ordering time! all black, black, black - except for the pink headset and chain.

*happy dance*

edit: and i'm buying a carbon fork. the stocker is a boat anchor, seriously! it feels as if it weighs as much as the frame!

[SeanBonham]

where can one find a decent carbon CX fork? Maybe one with disc mounts? on the cheap...

[shapelike]

Look for a deal on the Winwood ones. QBP distributes them so availability should be good. There's also the carbon disc-specific Bontrager one that's normally on the Poprad. I think that one's pretty light.

[jhota]

cheapest disc-compatible carbon fork i know of is Nashbar's (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600086&subcategory=60001182&brand=&sku=12387&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Road%20Forks) - $130 plus shipping right now.

i just ordered a Bontrager off eBay (http://stores.ebay.com/wheelandsprocket_Cyclocross_Forks_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ15006209QQftidZ2QQtZkm), canti-only, for $85 shipped. (advertised as "Famous Brand" - but it's a Bontrager).

[slopvehicle]

Green is lookin' good. I think I made the right choice.

What hubs are you folks planning to run-- 120, 130, 135mm? I'll be respacing the 120mm IRO / Deep V wheelset from my Angus....and then mussing up that pretty virgin braking surface with Tektro mini-V brakes.

I just got some of the Cane Creek "Drop V" levers, too...gonna give my Midge bars another try. Anyone know what the max tire clearance is on the Rob Roy? I have a set of 700x40c knobbies that I've been trying to find a use for...

[jhota]

135 mm Surly dual-freewheel rear, Campy Mirage front. Deep-V rims (black, machined braking surface).

i seem to recall tyre clearance is good for 32s with fenders, 35s without. but don't quote me.

edit:

i'm bouncing off the walls, i'm so stoked to have my frame. i'm always happy to get a new bike - and i just ordered around $600 in parts for it.

so, build specs, anyone?

carbon Bonty fork (yay eBay!)
the already listed wheelset
16t/18t freewheels
170mm Truvativ Hussefelt 1.1 crankset, 36t chainring (may go to a 38 later)
el-cheapo Dimension track pedals
KMC Z410 chain - Pink!
Chris King headset - Pink!
Kalloy Uno stem
Soma Urban Pursuit bars - black
Cinelli cork tape - black
Kool Stop pads - salmon
N.O.S. Onza "H.O." brakes
Cane Creek 200TT brake levers
Jagwire Switch "Carbon Silver" brake cable set
Nashbar/Performance Ascent carbon seat post
700x30 Kenda Kwick tyres

just need to decide on a saddle.

[SeanBonham]

ok ok...

velocity aeroheads to the new IRO hubs
on one mary bar knock off
salsa cro-moto stem
nos ultrega 600 aero seatpost
white ti railed regal saddle
shimano 600 cranks
salsa 42 ring with bgg guard
ti speedplay frog pedals
salsa seatpost clamp
shimano bb
cane creek flat top levers
tektro cr720 cantis
crossjet tires
cane creek s2 headset
ourys

maybe carbon fork later...

[slopvehicle]

ok! my specs:

54cm frame / fork, green
Cane Creek s3 headset, black
On-One Midge bars
Tektro mini v road brakes
Cane Creek "drop V" levers
Salsa Motoace stem
FSA quare taper bb
Kalloy Uno seatpost
Brooks b-17 OR Selle rolls saddle
RPM 170mm cranks, black
Sugino messenger ring, 42t
16t ACS freewheel / 17t or 19t fixed
IRO fix/fix hubs, silver, laced to machined Deep Vs, "graphite" / black
MKS track pedals (for around town) or Crank Bros candy (offroad)
Panaracer T-Serv Messenger 25c (around town) or ??? offroad...

I was originally intending to build this up with the Origin8 Mary knockoff bar, some Avid SD5s and Ourys, and that might happen yet.

[Ziemas]

At this point (22/3/08) has anyone else not had their frame shipped, or am I the only one?

[Old Dirt Hill]

hmm...this can't be good: http://www.irofixedgear.com/

Looks like the registration has expired.

[shapelike]

Time to fire the web guy. www.irocycle.com is still up though.

[jhota]

"Keep an eye out for our new site. We will be launching it mid April."

[efficiency]

What hubs are you folks planning to run-- 120, 130, 135mm? I'll be respacing the 120mm IRO / Deep V wheelset from my Angus....and then mussing up that pretty virgin braking surface with Tektro mini-V brakes.


I'm respacing my 120mm hub from my Bowery.

[doco]

anyone else doing the polish/wax before building up your frames??

try it out, I just started on my black frame and the polish/wax brings out a real nice polished flat luster :)

[dwainedibbly]

Doesn't that just mean there's more available budget to powder coat a $150 frame than there is for a $300 frame?

Makes sense to me.

Ron

That was her main point, and I'm sort of likin' the idea of a purple bike. Maybe I'm just jealous. Fortunately, it's a size that I can ride, too. :)


Carbon 'cross fork for $65 here:

http://www.chucksbikes.com/store/indexfo078.htm

[dwainedibbly]

Here's a pic- Mine still needs a bunch of parts, but my wife's is almost done. Just waiting on a few final pieces.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/aaronalexander/DSC01806.jpg

That looks like the exact same green that IRO used on the SS/FG group buy frames last year. I have one of those, too.

[Robbykills]

my build specs:

crappy but comfy orange spring seat
old $5 rack from t-town bike swap
any bottom bracket I can find in my parts drawer
cruiser handlebars
Ritchey Headset
Deda Stem
Wheelset from my fixed gear, respaced
Old road double crank 52/42 with teeth ground off the 52
any v-brakes I can scavenge
fenders missing hardware but ziptied to frame...



I guess I'll be turding up some polish?

[period3]

I haven't received any notice that my frame has been shipped yet either.

At this point (22/3/08) has anyone else not had their frame shipped, or am I the only one?

[shapelike]

That was her main point, and I'm sort of likin' the idea of a purple bike. Maybe I'm just jealous. Fortunately, it's a size that I can ride, too. :)


Carbon 'cross fork for $65 here:

http://www.chucksbikes.com/store/indexfo078.htm

NOOO ... carbon fork + steel steerer tube = complete wash. At least go w/ an aluminum steerer.

[sfcrossrider]

The only full carbon CX fork I trust is an Alpha-Q. If you're not going to drop money on carbon; go for carbon/steel. Your body will thank you when it doesn't break.

[Robbykills]

built mine up! it's all spare and dumpstered parts. the only new thing on it is a $20 headset. pretty soon though I want to get some V-brakes for it and a pair of giant cruiser bars. I took it for an easter stroll through town this morning and it was a nice relaxing ride. it's got a 42x18 gear with 700x32c specialized turbos (thanks LBS dumpster!)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/Robbykills/HPIM0051.jpg

oh and the paint for the fenders is plain Rustoleum Orange, it is a pretty damn close match.

[jhota]

the matching fenders kick ass. i can't wait to see the different builds folks end up with.

[shapelike]

The only full carbon CX fork I trust is an Alpha-Q. If you're not going to drop money on carbon; go for carbon/steel. Your body will thank you when it doesn't break.

Yep. That's what I'm going with for the totally gratuitous race build-up of the R.R.

[Ronsonic]

Applied dial calipers and here's what I find, the seat tube in the area of the bottom bracket is narrowed by about .020" from side to side. The tube in the area of the lower bottle bung is flattened by about .030.

This is insanely trivial and about as cruel as pointing out the three lines on your neighbor's new Trinitron. Until pointed out, nobody can see it and once noticed they can't turn away.

My frame's fine, everything measures true, I expect the others do as well.

I'll post pic's when I've got something to show other than a frame like everyone else here's got.

Ron

[TimJ]

At this point (22/3/08) has anyone else not had their frame shipped, or am I the only one?

I don't think mine has shipped yet.

Poo.

[TimJ]

I don't think mine has shipped yet.

Poo.


And I just received it.

Just as hope was lost, the UPS man cometh. Huzzah!

[dwainedibbly]

NOOO ... carbon fork + steel steerer tube = complete wash. At least go w/ an aluminum steerer.

Ouch! My bad. I figured it was an Al steerer. Sorry.

Stock, uncut, fork (on my postal scale) = 2 pounds, 4 ounces

[slopvehicle]

mine sits at home in its box. looks like it's time to stock up on beer, break out my tools and build a bike tonight...

[dry_sockets]

all parts are slated for arrival this week except my seatpost and seatpost clamp. damn you ebikestop.com!

[Chuckie J.]

Well we (me and my girlfriend) got our frames today and we're both disappointed. She got the wrong color sent (ordered green, got orange) and mine (orange) has some serious scratches in the paint and even a slight dent in the seat tube.

For me, I don't think it is worth returning-- others have commented on weak paint and I'll just get more chips shortly afterwards. The dent is very slight and unfortunate but hardly a structural issue.

For her, she saw a picture of the green and isn't crazy about it either. She's thinking of just keeping the orange and getting it painted-- at least she'll have a good paint job and any color she wants. BTW, she already has an orange bike. She likes the black.

Anyone in the Albuquerque area want to trade a 58cm black for orange?

[Chuckie J.]

A photo of the scratches. I'm not going to send it back, though.

Anyone know the color match for touch ups? Someone said that the Krylon orange was close.

[SeanBonham]

As much as I want to like IRO, I don't think I would go for another group buy...
I have a Mark V and it is great, no dents, paint is fine etc. The RR has been somewhat of a disappointment;(

[TimJ]

I was able to bring mine home tonight and unpack it (and install headset) and I'm pretty pleased. The paint looks great on mine except for a couple little scratches on the face of the track ends. There's a weird bump or something by a seattube bottle braze-on, but it's very slight and I can't say I care. I'm disappointed the bb threads are all powder-coated but, oh well. Overall it's definitely worth the $160 I paid.

The only thing I don't like is the track ends are a little cheesy. The frame would look 100% better if the stays tapered at the end to a traditional brazed joint on the track ends instead of the weird welded deal they are.

[sfcrossrider]

Mine should be finished by Thursday. I bought mine for racing, so the paint issues are moot. If I were doing a nicer build I might care. Not bad for the money.

[mihlbach]

As much as I want to like IRO, I don't think I would go for another group buy...
I have a Mark V and it is great, no dents, paint is fine etc. The RR has been somewhat of a disappointment;(

Geez, some of you people are sooo fickle. $160 pays for some guys in Pennsylvania to assemble a huge order, then a bunch of guys in Asia to make the tubes, then another set of Asian dudes to weld them, another set to paint them, then ship them to the other side of the world to have it boxed up and sent to your very own door. What did you expect for a price that is about the same as a heavily used Ebay frame. I expected a half assed frame with a half assed paint job that will basically work as a beater for riding in the rain and thats what I got. Thats IROs niche..not high performance racing frames for you to worship and post pictures of on the internet. Considering the price, its a great buy, even if there are a few scratches, or some sort of imperceptible dent in the seat tube. If I wanted a really nice frame I certainly wouldn't have expected to get it on a bargain bin IRO group buy.

[jhota]

Geez, some of you people are sooo fickle. $160 pays for some guys in Pennsylvania to assemble a huge order, then a bunch of guys in Asia to make the tubes, then another set of Asian dudes to weld them, another set to paint them, then ship them to the other side of the world to have it boxed up and sent to your very own door. What did you expect for a price that is about the same as a heavily used Ebay frame. I expected a half assed frame with a half assed paint job that will basically work as a beater for riding in the rain and thats what I got. Thats IROs niche..not high performance racing frames for you worship and post pictures of on the internet. Considering the price, its a great buy, even if there are a few scratches, or some sort of imperceptible dent in the seat tube. If I wanted a really nice frame I certainly wouldn't have expected to get it on a bargain bin IRO group buy.

+1

even with the "issues" i'm very happy with mine. i don't think the frame is "half-assed," either. for $160 it's great.

[sfcrossrider]

^^^ Rob Roys make awesome SSCX race frames. The high performance part is the motors job.^^^

[mihlbach]

^^^ Rob Roys make awesome SSCX race frames. The high performance part is the motors job.^^^

Anyone really thought much about the ride qualities of this thing yet? My main use for my RR is for poor weather commuting, though I will probably take it on some trails. I think it will serve these roles just fine. The handling is "stable"..basically what you would expect it to be given that the frame is designed with cx/touring/commuting type applications in mind. It doesn't take long to realize that this is not an ultrastiff frame. The combination of the long chain stays with the bent seat stays makes the rear triangle soft...a little too soft in my opinion. I were to redesign it I would either shorten the chain stays or straighten the seat stays. However, I've only ridden mine on paved roads so far. I might have a different opinion when I take it on a jarring offroad ride. I'm currently running mine SS with fenders and 32mm (claimed, but closer to 27mm) touring tires with my handlebars (deda anatomic drops) positioned slightly higher than the bars on my more "performance" oriented bikes. Given the way I have it set up, the overall feel of the bike when riding on roads makes me think "comfort" and "enjoyment" rather than "put the hammer down". I would choose this frame for a fixed gear century ride, and it'll be a great ride in the winter when the roads are in poor condition.

[SeanBonham]

The last group buy had nowhere near the amount of structural flubs that we are seeing in these frames. Explain that. LIKE I said, I think IRO is great, I have been riding one of their frames for a year now. I don't have any issues with the paint really (sweet if it came raw), but I am somewhat of a perfectionist with my bikes and ****ed welds and bent tubes bother me. Call me crazy $160 or $300...

I just need to post some pics so you guys can see what I am talking about.

[efficiency]

I finished mine last night. I found the brake hard to get set correctly in the rear because the pads were all the way at the bottom of their adjustment range (Avid Shorty 6's), but I got it to work. I then rode down the stairs in front of my house.

[mihlbach]

The last group buy had nowhere near the amount of structural flubs that we are seeing in these frames. Explain that. LIKE I said, I think IRO is great, I have been riding one of their frames for a year now. I don't have any issues with the paint really (sweet if it came raw), but I am somewhat of a perfectionist with my bikes and ****ed welds and bent tubes bother me. Call me crazy $160 or $300...

I just need to post some pics so you guys can see what I am talking about.

Its fairly reasonable to think that perfectionism and mass-produced group buy frames are just not going to be compatible 100% of the time. If you paid full retail for an IRO frame, then I would fully expect a flawless frame, but considering the RR is already a low-end product, in my mind, the $X00 discount eliminates the guarantee of 100% satisfaction from the equation. At the very least, I would expect a frame that is the same size and color as ordered, consistent with claimed specs, is aligned and welded properly, and has no significant structural flaws....the rest (paint quality, water bottle alignment) is icing, but for $160 the icing is simply going to have variable thickness.

[Old Dirt Hill]

...and it'll be a great ride in the winter when the roads are in poor condition.

Slightly off topic, but what tire/fender combo are you planning on riding in the winter? I'd like to get some nice studs, but not sure they'll fit with the fenders I was planning on using.

[mihlbach]

Slightly off topic, but what tire/fender combo are you planning on riding in the winter? I'd like to get some nice studs, but not sure they'll fit with the fenders I was planning on using.

I'm using Planet Bike Fenders (hybrid width) with 32mm Continental Top Contact tires. The real width of these tires is closer to 27mm, however, I still have plenty of space between the tire and fender. I am certain that I could easily fit a true 32mm tire and slightly larger than that, but I'm not sure if a a 35mm tire would fit. If you can get 32mm studded tires, Planet Bike Hybrid fenders will work. I don't plan on using studs because there isn't enough snow here anymore to justify it.