Tandem Cycling - Woo hoo, my Calfee won "Best Tandem" at NAHBS!

The Calfee Dragonfly that I started planning a year ago (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?530433-Tandem-crankset-options&highlight=ritterview), and about which I've previously posted (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?588997-Nicest-tandem-at-interbike&highlight=Interbike) took a detour after Interbike. Calfee took it to show at Livestrong Austin (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2624/4205476382_b884975f8c_o.jpg), resulting in cosmetic problems that necessitated its refinishing. Since it was disassembled and at Joe's Bicycle Painting (http://www.joesbicyclepainting.com/) I thought it opportune to make a change from the solid Cabernet Red clearcoat (which Mrs. Ritterview didn't like). I suggested to Calfee that it have a multi-colored design. Heretofore, all Calfee and Joe's Painting ever has had available was solid colors, or fades. Calfee stepped up, and commissioned a graphic designer (http://www.andyh.com/index.html), who completed a design (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4294607812_ff476935e3_o.png), which will be available henceforth for new Calfee's.

Calfee really put a lot of energy into the custom painting and design, this to show the bike at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show NAHBS (http://www.handmadebicycleshow.com/). The frame was stripped, and repainted. I replaced the stoker's Edge drop bar with a Profile Design Cobra Wing (http://www.profile-design.com/profile-design/products/base-bars/carbon-base-bars). This too was stripped and repainted, along with the Edge captain's stem, the stoker stem, the Edge seatposts, and the Specialized water bottle cages. The drop, boom and chainstay tubes are 'naked carbon' (light clearcoat?).

Calfee discussed wheels with Rich at Wheelbuilder (http://www.wheelbuilder.com/). They wanted to display a wheel that would be of more general utility than my Edge clinchers, which are problematic on a tandem due to rim heat issues. Rich built a set (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4385886074_e18becc6d6_o.jpg) with Velocity A23 aluminum rims, which at around 1480 grams are lighter than the Edge 68's. They sport DT240 rear and ELF front hubs, with CX-Ray 28/32 spokes. I spoke with Rich about these. What with only 28/32 spokes and a shallow rim, these wheels are described as a light racing wheel, and he thought a general purpose tandem wheelset would likely need more spokes (which would involve different hubs, as the ELF and DT's max out at 28 and 32 respectively).

At NAHBS, the tandem was the lone carbon bike (http://www.flickr.com/photos/crankedmag/4393462419/sizes/l/) in an otherwise bamboo bicycle booth (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7130686@N05/4399729991/). Two other tandems won prizes, a Bilenky for Best Road Bike, and a Spectrum as Best Steel Frame.

2010 Shimano NAHBS Award Winners (http://www.handmadebicycleshow.com/2010/02/2010-shimano-nahbs-award-winners/)

Calfee – Best Tandem (http://www.handmadebicycleshow.com/2010/02/2010-shimano-nahbs-award-winners/)

http://www.handmadebicycleshow.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/calfee-best-tandem.jpg


Craig Calfee won with a “Dragonfly” – his 23lb., carbon-framed, belt-driven flyweight tandem that will go to a lucky customer. “It’s built to be light and high performance, yet comfortable,” Calfee said.

More pics here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonkaenel/sets/72157623047985092/).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4384111830_70827dc380.jpg

I'll finally be able to take delivery on March 12, then for its maiden trip on the Solvang Century (http://www.bikescor.com/solvang/welcome.htm) March 13th, so I hope it all works!

Edit:
Found a pic from the awards (http://outofprintmag.com/blog/?p=2315). The real reason I went with the weight weenie theme. So CC can hold my tandem aloft with one arm, while holding the NAHBS 'Best Tandem' plaque in the other. You don't see Bilenky (http://outofprintmag.com/blog/?p=2315)doing this with their tandems.;)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4400773510_d0717fca87.jpg

After a few detours, you've got yourselves a showstopper!
Congrats . . . bet it rides as great as it looks!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

Sweet! :thumb:


.

Gorgeous!

That is a GREAT looking bike. How much does the bare frame (minus fork) weigh?

That is a GREAT looking bike. How much does the bare frame (minus fork) weigh?

I'm glad you like. Here's another pic.

http://urbanvelo.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/nahbs2010_161.jpg

From what I was told, the frame (L/M) weighed 2930 grams prior to being painted, and 3210 gram after. That was with the Cabernet Red clear coat, however, I don't know if this second paint job weighed any different. All the weights, and a link to spreadsheets are on this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?588997-Nicest-tandem-at-interbike&highlight=Interbike).

Tandem Frame..................Calfee...................Dragonfly....................2930 gms......6.46 lbs
Paint...............................Calfee...................Cabernet Red.................280 gms
Total..............................................................................................3 210 gms......7.07 lbs.

Congratulations on your tandem's well deserved win at the NAHBS. I was pleased to see your bike at LiveStrong Austin and took a few photo's of it there. I thought it was perfection, but I see that I was wrong. The new paint scheme is even more beautiful. I especially like the work on the stoker's bar and captain's stem. What does Mrs. Ritterview think of the bike now?
Good luck at Solvang! Jacqueline

Maybe it's just me, but I can't look at the paint scheme on your Calfee without thinking, "That looks like the kind of paint job Breanna Ruegamer might come up with for a Ying/Yang tandem".

More specifically, I thought immediately of Bud's (WheresWaldo) custom Ruegamer:

http://www.incidentalcyclist.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tandem_5/ruegamer-white-silver-tandem-2.jpg

It's technically quite different, but seems to subscribe to the same asymetric / symetric abstract, semi-translucent approach to 'highlighting' without completely hiding the underlying composite graining in the frame.

Aside from the paint and components, was there anything about the actual Dragonfly frame that departed from the typical Calfee build?

Congrats and keep us posted on your progress with the bike over the next year or so.

It's about time you're finally getting to ride it!!! It's been a long road. It looks sweet. I'm sure the pictures don't do it justice. Maybe I'll get to see it at Solvang. :)

I know your bike is lite but I think Craig has been working out. ;)

WOW! The bike is nothing short of stunning!

Where will your weight weenie / aesthetic passion take you next, will you start cutting the side panels out of jerseys? :)

Hope to see it on the road soon.

Beautiful bike. I hope you got a special deal, having to wait so long to actually get it.

Maybe it's just me, but I can't look at the paint scheme on your Calfee without thinking, "That looks like the kind of paint job Breanna Ruegamer might come up with for a Ying/Yang tandem".



So is Ruegamer backin business? Looks like they were also at the NAHBS.

So is Ruegamer backin business? Looks like they were also at the NAHBS.

http://www.handmadebicycleshow.com/2010/02/ruegamer-sports-in-the-game/

Nice looking bikes, to be sure and I really like the use of the Jobst clamps as frame stands; very cool!

I also like the candid commentary from 'Bre (http://www.facebook.com/profile/pic.php?oid=AAAAAQAQx7OZiNBW2AcszedjYGMaEQAAAAoO7yRvcffy_Fn9QfeBGCQ2)' regarding getting bikes that are just 'too light'. 'Bout time someone infused the discussion with some balance regarding weight, i.e., anorexia always comes at a price.

So is Ruegamer backin business? Looks like they were also at the NAHBS.

Yeah, she was at NAHBS, and got some pub today at Cycling News (http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/photos/north-american-handmade-bicycle-show-2010-part-four/108623).

http://cdn.media.cyclingnews.com/2010/03/02/2/ruegamer_tandem_600.jpg


Ruegamer says this full-carbon track tandem frame weighs just 1,800g.

That is one lightweight frame, and aero too.

Hi Jacqueline, Mrs. Ritterview here. I am thrilled with the final product and so proud of Ritterview! This was his vision and Calfee really came through with a superb graphic design and paint scheme. A tandem this pretty should be displayed under the lights in the living room instead of languishing in the garage. Well, it's been fun watching it evolve and will be even more fun to ride.

Wow beautiful bike. The founder of NAHBS built a singlespeed for me 3 years ago. I even asked Don if he would consider building a 26 inch road tandem to accomodate my short stature but it was too expensive of a build for me.

Again, congrats. Love the pic of the bike being held up with one arm. Awesome.

You are going to love the ride. We have three rides on ours so far and we appreciate it more with each ride.
For wheels I went with White Industries Mi5 front, Mi6 rear, Velocity Fusion rims, CX Ray 32 hole.
So far no problems at all, we weigh 250 lbs.

It certainly is beautiful, and my first thought was that it looked like our Ruegamer, but it is a bit different. and if 23 pounds is correct a good two pounds lighter than our Rue also.

I need to take a new photograph as there are a few minor cosmetic changes from this first build-up.

http://www.incidentalcyclist.com/zenphoto/cache/test/_DSC0054.jpg_795.jpg

It's about time you're finally getting to ride it!!! It's been a long road. It looks sweet. I'm sure the pictures don't do it justice. Maybe I'll get to see it at Solvang. :)


Homeyba, I've got a question that needs your particular expertise. Right now, the eebrake calipers are on, and I'd like to ride it initially with calipers. Eventually I will replace the rear caliper for an Avid BB7, so as to avoid melting my Edge rims. The Solvang elevation profile (http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/activity/512284) to me, however, looks like there is rim heat potential for our 305 lb. team. If I exercise caution, should I be able to ride Solvang with the calipers and carbon rims?

http://i47.tinypic.com/oh0ch5.jpg

I seem to recall one fast downhill section that has a pretty strong crosswinds. Several people I was riding with including myself commented that they were pretty spooked by the crosswind. Although I have not ridden Solvang in quite a while* I do think I encountered the crosswinds in that area more than once, don't know if it is a good choice for maiden voyage with high profile rims.

*I quit doing the solvang a while back because I found it to be one of the most expensive and poorly supported rides I have done, more than once I have expieinced them running out of water and food (peanut butter sandwhiches) at the same rest stop.

I don't think you'll have a problem. Of course prudence is always a good thing and if you're careful you should be fine. The big descent is after the Drum Cyn. climb. The back side is fairly technical at the top and the pavement is bad. There are two or three hairpins. One lefthander was especially bad, with large potholes in the entrance to it. It's possible they've fixed them since I last rode it but be aware they could be there. Nothing else should even get your brakes much beyond warm unless you are doing something you shouldn't, like dragging your brakes.

Maybe it's just me, but I can't look at the paint scheme on your Calfee without thinking, "That looks like the kind of paint job Breanna Ruegamer might come up with for a Ying/Yang tandem".

More specifically, I thought immediately of Bud's (WheresWaldo) custom Ruegamer:

http://www.incidentalcyclist.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tandem_5/ruegamer-white-silver-tandem-2.jpg

It's technically quite different, but seems to subscribe to the same asymetric / symetric abstract, semi-translucent approach to 'highlighting' without completely hiding the underlying composite graining in the frame.

The design was commissioned to Andrew Hilman, a graphic designer in Southern California. Persual of his website (http://www.andyh.com/index.html) doesn't give the impression of someone starved for ideas needing to borrow from elsewhere. He does a lot of racing car graphic designs, in which you can see the some of the same elements. The red color, for example, is seen on the car on the left.

http://www.andyh.com/andyhimages/gr_cat09_JDM.jpg

Much of the design was set from the inclination to do multiple colors, and it makes sense to have these colors extend the length of frame. Calfee likes the naked carbon (to demonstrate, I guess, that the bike is carbon, and neither steel nor bamboo), and so that was incorporated, and Joe's Painting was executing, so it was going to have the clearcoat over carbon for which Joe is renowned.

So, in looking at these two designs together, there are some common elements in the emphasis on length, but there is nothing at all derivative.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4401921517_d917a241f2_o.jpg

The design was commissioned to Andrew Hilman, a graphic designer in Southern California. Persual of his website (http://www.andyh.com/index.html) doesn't give the impression of someone starved for ideas needing to borrow from elsewhere. He does a lot of racing car graphic designs, in which you can see the some of the same elements. The red color, for example, is seen on the car on the left.

Much of the design was set from the inclination to do multiple colors, and it makes sense to have these colors extend the length of frame. Calfee likes the naked carbon (to demonstrate, I guess, that the bike is carbon, and neither steel nor bamboo), and so that was incorporated, and Joe's Painting was executing, so it was going to have the clearcoat over carbon for which Joe is renowned.

So, in looking at these two designs together, there are some common elements in the emphasis on length, but there is nothing at all derivative.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2725/4401921517_d917a241f2_o.jpg

I didn't suggest derivation, besides with so little surface area there is not very much space to really innovate. I also thought I said I liked your frame.

What I really want to know, after you have some miles, is how much you like/dislike the Edge fork.

I didn't suggest derivation, besides with so little surface area there is not very much space to really innovate. I also thought I said I liked your frame.

What I really want to know, after you have some miles, is how much you like/dislike the Edge fork.

I was actually responding to TG's comments. In a larger sense, the graphic treatment of your frame did inspire the Calfee design, as I liked its crisp and bold look, and it inspired my dissatisfaction with the solid color what I had, and prompted me to ask Calfee to hire a graphic designer.

I too am very curious about the Edge fork. Mike Moore at Calfee says they had discussions with Edge at NAHBS, and Edge has been doing some testing, and my be edging towards certification of the fork for tandems. That would be welcome. If I meet up with Homeyba at Solvang, we'll have do a comparison of Dragonfly's equipped with the Alpha Q and Edge.

... doesn't give the impression of someone starved for ideas needing to borrow from elsewhere. So, in looking at these two designs together, there are some common elements in the emphasis on length, but there is nothing at all derivative.

Well that's all interesting, but has nothing to do with my observation that when I saw it the first thing that came to mind was Bud's Ruegamer (period).

However, I do need to correct an error in my post: it was Bud's daughter, aka Bittersweet, who had a lot to do with the color scheme on their Ying / Yang, in collaboration with Bre Ruegamer.

... If I meet up with Homeyba at Solvang, we'll have do a comparison of Dragonfly's equipped with the Alpha Q and Edge.

Is there a difference in the rake of the two forks?

Is there a difference in the rake of the two forks?

The Alpha Q (http://www.truetemper.com/Performance_Tubing/x2.asp) is listed as having a rake of 41 or 44 mm, whereas the Edge 2.0 (http://www.edgecomposites.com/forks/road.aspx) has rakes of 40, 43, 45 and 50. I do not know the rake of my fork yet.

That's a pretty big range!

Is there a difference in the rake of the two forks?

Alpha Q X2s were offered in 48mm, 44mm and 41mm, but the 48mm was discontinued a few years back. They have an axle-to-crown length of 374mm

The Edge 2.0's are offered in 50mm, 45mm, 43mm and 40mm and have an even shorter axle-to-crown length of 367mm.

Note that standard tandem axle-to-crown length spec. is closer to 390mm - 400mm, similar to touring and cross forks. Given that an Alpha Q X2 has a hard time stuffing in anything larger than a 25mm tire, I'm guessing the Edge is also is pretty tight in the tire clearance department.

How does Mrs Ritterview like that seat on the back?

I don't think you'll have a problem. Of course prudence is always a good thing and if you're careful you should be fine. The big descent is after the Drum Cyn. climb. The back side is fairly technical at the top and the pavement is bad. There are two or three hairpins. One lefthander was especially bad, with large potholes in the entrance to it. It's possible they've fixed them since I last rode it but be aware they could be there. Nothing else should even get your brakes much beyond warm unless you are doing something you shouldn't, like dragging your brakes.

We have also ridden Drum Cyn on our tandem and it is like you said nasty with some steep pitches and big pot holes. The downhill on the other side is also very bumpy. After that experience we decided never to return to that road.

How does Mrs Ritterview like that seat on the back?

My bet is that seat comes off before too long, particularly for long rides.

FWIW, Fizik Vitesse with CF rails ia still pretty light, and a women's specific saddle that many women find pretty comfortable.

The Edge 2.0's...have an even shorter axle-to-crown length of 367mm. Note that standard tandem axle-to-crown length spec. is closer to 390mm - 400mm, similar to touring and cross forks.

You are right TG. I am worried about this drop being too much. If Edge is going to spec their 2.0 for tandems, they need to leave a longer steering tube.http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/732/dropn.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/dropn.jpg/)

Crap, sorry about the drool I left on it at LiveStrong Austin. Hope no stains were the cause for the refinish. Nice results though.

If Edge is going to spec their 2.0 for tandems, they need to leave a longer steering tube.

Just note that your tandem is not exactly level in your photo... the image is tilted nose down by quite a bit (equal to the height of the tire & rim). So, the bar drop in your photo is a bit skewed by all of that.

Anyway, so long as your tandem is built around the shorter forks like the Alpha Q and similarly short Edge 2.0, everything other than tire clearance should be covered, so to speak. The 7mm difference / drop at the head tube = a slightly lowered front bottom bracket and it offsets a bit of the fork rake / shortens the trail, but there's more than enough steerer on an uncut fork to let you have your bars as high as the steerer stack height limit of the fork will allow.

However, for anyone doing a retrofit of a tandem that wasn't built for a short fork, yikes. Our '98 Erickson was designed for a 395mm steel fork and the front end drop / change in steering geometry from the 21mm difference in fork-to-crown height was dramatic and altered the steering. It took a few rides to get used to the steering, but to this day I still clip a pedal on some turns.

Again, Calfee would have taken your fork into consideration when designing your Dragonfly so you should have what he intended. Now, if the steerer was cut to an arbitrary length when the tandem was built and you don't actually ride with that much of a bar height to saddle height difference and the saddle height is right for you in that photo, that's a different story... cause that ain't gonna be easy to 'fix' even with a new, uncut fork steerer. Now, if the saddle is up higher than it would be... you should be fine. I think I have about a 2.5" - 3.0" drop from saddle top to bar top, but I tend to ride on the tops or hoods 99% of the time and that's how all of my bikes are set-up. When I drop in the drops, it's pretty darn serious and I don't stay there that long.

How does Mrs Ritterview like that seat on the back?


My bet is that seat comes off before too long, particularly for long rides.

The BF Tandem forum doesn't miss anything! I've already got this taken care of this, though. The Specialized bits (tires, H20 bottle cages, saddles) were procured through the Specialized rep for my cycling club (which Specialized sponsors (http://www.lgbrc.org/sponsors2_10.html)), and included two Toupes for show/weigh, and a Women's Ruby (http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=47231&menuItemId=9302&eid=5007) to keep Mrs. Ritterview content, and which will be mounted straight away. The stoker Toupe will go on my BMC.

http://bikestoponline.com/images/library/large/spec_2728_3000_3010_10_m.jpg

I like the graphics on your tandem a lot. I hope Calfee offers something similar in the future for regular orders and includes the option for their half bikes.

Yellow Calfee Logo in some pics burgandy in others, so what made the final cut. My vote would be the burgandy. Red brake pad holders are a very nice subtle touch.

I like the graphics on your tandem a lot. I hope Calfee offers something similar in the future for regular orders and includes the option for their half bikes.

That is the idea. Calfee commissioned the graphic designer to compose the pattern (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4294607812_ff476935e3_o.png), and now it is available for future customers (or past customers I imagine, if anyone wants to take their Calfee to Joe's Bicycle Painting (http://www.joesbicyclepainting.com/)).

djconnel (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?107944-djconnel) helped me explore some colors, using a free downloadable program called GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/). He made a template (which you can download here (https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B4yVdGP2ZKEuMTEwZjAxYmMtNWM3ZC00NTQxLWJhMmUtODFmMTU4YmJhYWJl&hl=en)). First you download and start GIMP, then upload the template into GIMP to manipulate it. Its a fairly easy program, that should allow you to create your own color pattern for your stoker's all-important approval.

Here djconnel explored cobalt blue, one of Joe's vivid colors (http://www.calfeedesign.com/images/colors06.jpg).


http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/315/ritterviewtandemdesign.png (http://img412.imageshack.us/i/ritterviewtandemdesign.png/)

The graphic design Calfee commissioned admits to a wide scope of possibilities by the selection of different colors. Joe's Bicycle Painting has all sorts of different techniques (http://www.joesbicyclepainting.com/painting/), such as Kandies, Pearls, Prismatics and Opaques. So, there are a lot of possibilities for a unique tandem look.

Yellow Calfee Logo in some pics burgandy in others, so what made the final cut. My vote would be the burgundy. Red brake pad holders are a very nice subtle touch.

The yellow came first, because that is their default. I guess they recognized that the yellow had no particular reason being there, and used the red for the shell to tie in with the red elsewhere. A nice touch, and indicative of the energy and level of detail that Craig Calfee personally expended on this.

I'm glad you like the red brake pad holders, because I had selected them to go with the Cabernet Red, but found out these differing shades of red clashed rather than complemented. So I was pleased and relieved to see that the new bright red goes much better with the brake's red.

Who makes the red brake pad holders? They would look nice on my single, but using Google all the hits I get are for SRAM Red holders (which are silver).

Nicely done, finally a Calfee that someone actually thought about design/paint wise instead of the same 'ol same 'ol nude or clear-coated carbon look. Kudos to you for stepping out and asking for something different, interesting and unique.

That's a really nice graphics package that lends itself to many color ways.

The only problem now is, it looks really fast, which means you needs to ride it...really fast.


KRhea

finally a Calfee that someone actually thought about design/paint wise instead of the same 'ol same 'ol nude or clear-coated carbon look. Kudos to you for stepping out and asking for something different, interesting and unique.
KRhea

I take umbrage to your comment. I put a lot of thought and effort in to the design of my bike. My first consideration on design was to ask myself how the bike would be used, The answer to which was ridden hard and put away wet at home and obviuosly with couplers I intened to and have had the bike packed several times. History has shown that paint does not like to stick to carbon very well, at least not carbon as Calfee does it. The last thing I wanted to do is ruin a ride or trip because I nicked the paint on my baby. BTW I do have a titanium bike that is painted, I was tired of same 'ol same 'ol polished or brushed titanium.

All in good fun I do not get to use "umbrage" very often.

BTW is it me or does paint on carbon not seem to have depth that paint on steel has? I find my self drooling at the paint I see on bikes at the hand built show!

Who makes the red brake pad holders? They would look nice on my single, but using Google all the hits I get are for SRAM Red holders (which are silver).

The calipers and brake pad holders are eebrakes (http://www.eecycleworks.com/eebrake.html). The brake pad holders are nifty, as the pads are easily changed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzpjsFPjdvU)without tools. See Pez Cycling (http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=7013) review for a nice summary with a lot of detailed photos.

eebrakes are sold in silver and black, but custom colors are available. I just got the black, but red brake pad holders were available, so I got those. I don't know if eebrake brake pad holders would work with other makes.


Custom color eebrakes (http://www.eecycleworks.com/buy-now.html)

Custom color anodized eebrakes are available for $100 additional charge per custom color. Most anodize colors are available. Custom color parts may be mixed with silver or black parts as well.

Custom color eebrakes add 1 to 2 weeks to the delivery time. If you would like to order custom color eebrakes or want more information, please contact us.

BTW is it me or does paint on carbon not seem to have depth that paint on steel has? I find my self drooling at the paint I see on bikes at the hand built show!

Yes... and Yes! I believe it's the somewhat softer and less uniform nature of a composite surface vs. the very hard, extruded and hand-finished alloy tubesets that makes the paint look different. After all, what gives paint it's luster is how light reflects off the surface. When there are any surface imperfections, the light reflects in a non-uniform way and that takes away some of the luster. Now, I suspect that if you sanded the surface of the composite frame enough and put on enough hand finished coats of paint and clear you could enhance the luster, but it still won't give you the deep luster that a more flat surface (and we're really talking down to some micro levels here) will have. In fact, that's probably one of the reasons why a good fillet looks so much better than a not-as-good fillet or any other hand-finished welds on frames that otherwise have very nice paint jobs.

And let me note that umbrage is an awesome word, right up there with hubris: ain't it great to have a grasp of the full vocabulary? I'd take umbrage too if I cared what anyone else thought about what I ride.;)

BTW is it me or does paint on carbon not seem to have depth that paint on steel has? I find my self drooling at the paint I see on bikes at the hand built show!

The steel Llewellyn won Best Paint at NAHBS (http://www.handmadebicycleshow.com/2010/02/2010-shimano-nahbs-award-winners/), and assuredly there is a depth to the paint (http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=rec&w=all&q=Llewellyn+nahbs&m=text) productive of sialorrhea.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4404554027_9108ac1043.jpg


McMulloch’s friend and business partner Joe Cosgrove painted the award-winning frame in candy-apple red over a gold metallic base from House of Kolor. “The gold base really comes through the red if you look at it in direct sunlight,” McMulloch said.

Excellent, a good excuse to post more pics of that beautiful Llewellyn:

140301

Aside from the paint and components, was there anything about the actual Dragonfly frame that departed from the typical Calfee build?

Very good question, which I should have answered from the get go. From the inception I had approached Calfee with the idea of building an especially light tandem. So I asked them if they had any tricks for building the frame lighter, while sparing frame stiffness. I never heard anything specific about any different techniques, although they constructed the frame with its ultimate weight in mind. The tubing was no different, they suggested as they might take it a little easier on the wrapping, although the joints look no less bulbous to me than other Dragonflies I've seen. They didn't have much information about the weights of previous frames. I don't think they weigh their frames, nor do they keep records of frame weights.

On the original buildsheet (http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AYyVdGP2ZKEuZGZzOXBnejJfMTNkbXQya3RjOA&hl=en) I had obtained from Calfee, I have the frame weight listed as 2720 grams (their estimate, IIRC), and the build came to 28.2 lbs. My unpainted frame weighed 2930 grams, and painted 3210. It ended up weighing 23 lbs. So, the difference was not in the frame, but in the the components (http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AoyVdGP2ZKEudDZtaWxlRHpPNDlzdEFLVkhsVlVDeEE&hl=en) none of which are shared with the Calfee buildsheet, save for the Nokon cable housing and Gates Drive.

So, the difference was not in the frame, but in the the components, none of which are shared with the Calfee buildsheet, save for the Nokon cable housing and Gates Drive.

Thanks for the feedback and for making the point once again that the vast majority of gram shaving that happens even with the very light tandems comes from the components, not the frames. After all, most contemporary lightweight steel (e.g., R&E's Trillium), aluminum (e.g., Co-Motion's Macchiato), composite (e.g., Calfee, Rue Sports, etc..) and even magnesium (e.g., Paketa V2) tandem frames that use conventionally sized front & rear rider compartments of equal size end up weighing somewhere in the neighborhood of 6lbs without anything attached to the frame. That they were able to reduce the ubiquitous 'lightweight' premium steel and alumimum tandems of the 90's from 8lbs to 9lbs to 6lbs is rather amazing but even then, it was the components that pushed those tandems towards the upper 30 lbs class even without pedals attached.

The often times more ironic aspect of a gram-shaved bike or tandem is seeing how the 'fighting weight' quickly goes up as these bikes are made ready for the average weekend ride or rally, where 8lbs of water gets strapped to the frame, another 2lbs for the saddle bag with spare tubes, micro-tool, etc., never mind other accouterments that essentially nullify all of those painstaking and expensive component choices aimed at reducing weight.

Now, I'd be the pot calling the kettle black if I didn't confess to having gotten a little overzealous with gram counting and 'detailing' our Calfee during the initial build process as well as with changes made after the fact as I re-thought some of those changes. ChiChi and I shared some good-hearted, PMs on this very subject, ref. his desire to have a black rear disc caliper on his otherwise somewhat stealthy Calfee. (Side note: We have friends up in Santa Rosa with a beautiful 1999 model-year black to dark silver grey Erickson travel tandem that's nicknamed "Rolling Blackout")

Anyway, the point being, chasing grams and aero drag reductions is a lot of fun and a fantastic learning experience for the cycling enthusiast who has the inclination, time and resources to do so. However, at the end of the day folks need to recognize that unless the riders are both in top form and have minimized their own excess weight and girth, there's just not much you can do to a tandem to make it all that much lighter or aerodynamic (measured as a total net reduction) once you factor in the riders. Clearly, there is a huge placebo effect that comes with riding a 'lightweight' racing bike or tandem fitted with all the go-fast goodies that often times raises the performance level of the team: hey, that in and of itself is a great thing that truly does make teams ride more often and faster.

So, by all means, those who can and have the desire + the means to own a fine tandem should aspire to do so because it's no different than the joy that comes from having a fine automobile, motorcycle, boat or other possessions that capture our hearts and let our spirits soar.... after all, that's what life is all about once you've got all of the basics of safety and security for you and your family covered.

Again, congrats on your new ride. Like everyone else, I'll be anxious to hear your and your stoker's feedback after the first few rides.

[QUOTE=Ritterview;10468847]I'll finally be able to take delivery on March 12, then for its maiden trip on the Solvang Century (http://www.bikescor.com/solvang/welcome.htm) March 13th, so I hope it all works!QUOTE]

So how did it go?