Cyclocross - (Rick) Hunter Cycles?

Hunter cycles seem to be the favorite amongst cross riders around these parts, any forum members have one? Opinions? Did some research and they sound great- handbuilt, local, beautiful simplicity, fillet brazing too!

www.huntercycles.com

got one, just had it's first race last Sunday. Couldn't be happier
http://www.feedthemachines.com/mtb/hunter/hunter_1.JPG

http://www.feedthemachines.com/mtb/hunter/hunter_2.JPG

http://www.feedthemachines.com/mtb/hunter/hunter_3.JPG

http://www.feedthemachines.com/mtb/hunter/detail_2.JPG

wow. what a gorgeous build. any idea how much it weighs?

Although I tend to prefer the split seat stays, as only a matter of preference and nothing at all else, this bike otherwise looks superb to my eye. Beautifully simple, elegant and well thought out. I guess I need to check out the Hunter website.

Rick makes one of the best cx frames you can buy for any price.

My next race frame will be a Hunter.

What's the deal with the rear brake cable? So there's a hole through the seatpost as well, why did he do it that way?

He did it that way because I asked him to. Yes, I drilled a hole (actually 5mm high slot) through the seatpost after riding it fixed for a while to determine the proper height.

Why? Less weight (no cable housing and rear hanger - minimal weight savings), less friction (better modulation - I can notice the difference) but mainly because I like the way it looks.

Ah. Interesting.

what a horrible website... he should really fire his designer.

Isn't that the same design as Vanilla SVaagen?

what a horrible website... he should really fire his designer.

What more do you need in a site? :rolleyes:

cant seem to get any of the buttons to link to anything.....maybe the site just isn't finished?

i cant stop looking at this bike.

Beautiful bike.

As mentioned above, did the rear cable hole design come from the SpeedVagen?

How does it hold up? And what makes it smooth through the holes? I've had that with the SpeedVagen, there's a stainless sleeve that runs through it. Are the holes on the Hunter just rounded at the edges?

Thanks.
Running the brake cable through the seattube isn't a new concept, some of the crossers from the 70s and early 80s were doing it but yes, seeing the Speedvagen in person is what made me request it from Rick. There's no sleeve, the only thing the cable touches is the reinforced exit hole which has been rounded. the action is incredibly smooth. Rick build his bikes completely sealed (including bottle bosses) so I've drilled a hole through the top of the seat clamp for drainage if/when water gets in. The cable is also really easy to remove/reinstall if I need to take the seat post out.

just wanted to top this so i could look at 32:17s awesome bike.

looks like he hasnt been on the forum in a while because i would like to ask him how the bike is treating him this season.

Oh no, the pictures are gone. Does anyone have photo's of 32:17's beautiful ride? I'm having a CX bike built and was using this bike as my inspiration.

A Hunter crosser is a beautiful, purpose-built bike! If you're thinking about design inspirations though, remember that while the hole through the seat tube/seatpost is an elegant low friction way to route the rear brake cable, a downside is if your seatpost slips during a remount. I requested it for my new aluminum custom (Joe Wells/Tsunami Bikes in Phoenix), and the builder wouldn't do it for that reason, and he's right. The Speedvagen seatmast design is different, the seatpost doesnt extend down that far. I love the welding scene in Rick Hunter's shop in the Pure Sweet Hell crossumentary.