I've got the Son hub/Schmidt E6 now, along with a front bag instead of the saddlebag, so it's nearly a dead ringer for an old Frenchy. Still need to make another fork to stabilize the handling with a loaded front bag, but I'm nearly satisfied. Which is nice...
You still thinking about framebuilding, Mike? |
Originally Posted by Lamplight
(Post 6000939)
That is a beautiful bicycle, and you should be extremely proud of it! I hope to someday build frames very similar, when I have a place to do it. Are the Grand Bois tires at all puncture resistant? I never see it mentioned, but where I ride it's pretty much a requirement.
Edit: I just saw your blue bike on the previous page, also beautiful! It appears we share similar taste in bicycles! The blue frame is hanging forlornly in the garage now. I'm thinking of turning it into a traditional French-style porteur. |
Originally Posted by Six jours
(Post 6002477)
I've got the Son hub/Schmidt E6 now, along with a front bag instead of the saddlebag, so it's nearly a dead ringer for an old Frenchy. Still need to make another fork to stabilize the handling with a loaded front bag, but I'm nearly satisfied. Which is nice...
You still thinking about framebuilding, Mike? |
Yeah. I'm glad I got started when I did; it would be too late now!
Has the blessed event occurred yet? |
Originally Posted by Six jours
(Post 6002477)
I've got the Son hub/Schmidt E6 now, along with a front bag instead of the saddlebag, so it's nearly a dead ringer for an old Frenchy. Still need to make another fork to stabilize the handling with a loaded front bag, but I'm nearly satisfied. Which is nice...
|
I've got an Ostrich brand bag from Velo-Orange on right now. It's okay, but a little longer front-to-back and shorter top-to-bottom than the good French bags. It was almost $200 less, but I might still bite the bullet and get a Berthoud.
Trail is an interesting little bugger. In this instance, decreasing trail by increasing rake makes the bike less stable, but also decreases wheel flop. The front bag definitely increases the sensation of wheel flop, especially at low speeds, and in conjunction with the wide tires also tends to slow directional change. So in this case, decreasing trail kills two birds, in the sense that I want both a slight increase in sensitivity to directional inputs and a decrease in the tendency of the bike to lean off in unwanted directions at low speeds, especially when riding with hands off the bars. |
The Ostrich bag seems to be a great deal compared to the Berthoud bags. I really wanted a Berthoud but I just couldn't justify the expense, plus the exact size/color combo I wanted was proving hard to find. I'm trying to learn more about frame geometry, trail, etc. so that I'll have a clue when I try building a frame myself. Thanks for the info!
|
Originally Posted by Six jours
(Post 6002771)
Yeah. I'm glad I got started when I did; it would be too late now!
Has the blessed event occurred yet? |
Originally Posted by Lamplight
(Post 6006739)
The Ostrich bag seems to be a great deal compared to the Berthoud bags. I really wanted a Berthoud but I just couldn't justify the expense, plus the exact size/color combo I wanted was proving hard to find. I'm trying to learn more about frame geometry, trail, etc. so that I'll have a clue when I try building a frame myself. Thanks for the info!
FWIW, if you like this kind of bike and plan on learning how to build them, I'd say getting a hold of all the back issues of Bicycle Quarterly is practically a requirement. There is more info about this stuff in those magazines than any other source I've seen. At the very least, get a copy opf volume three, issue three, which includes a serious investigation of what made the old French bikes handle, along with a dozen or so drawings of various constructeur frames with lengths and geometries included. Invaluable; I've been essentially copying them. |
Originally Posted by bmike
(Post 6006833)
waiting... waiting... almost worse than being on hold with customer service. :(
|
Originally Posted by Six jours
(Post 6009832)
FWIW, if you like this kind of bike and plan on learning how to build them, I'd say getting a hold of all the back issues of Bicycle Quarterly is practically a requirement. There is more info about this stuff in those magazines than any other source I've seen. At the very least, get a copy opf volume three, issue three, which includes a serious investigation of what made the old French bikes handle, along with a dozen or so drawings of various constructeur frames with lengths and geometries included. Invaluable; I've been essentially copying them.
|
Here are some pics of my recently finished Salsa Casseroll.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2244/...8ce6cd.jpg?v=0 http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2366/...6d2f7e.jpg?v=0 http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2039/...64b116.jpg?v=0 http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2372/...151fe0.jpg?v=0 Build list: Frame/Fork: Salsa Casseroll, 60cm Pedals: Shimano SPD A-520 Handlebars: Bontrager Race Lite 44cm (from my Trek 5200) Bar Tape: Fizik Microtex Headset: Cane Creek S-8 Stem: Cannondale 110mm (from e-bay) Wheelset: Open Pro / Ultegra hubs with Wheelsmith DB spokes Crankset: Campy Ultra Torque Centuar CT (compact 50/34) Chain: SRAM PC971 Rear Der: Shimano XT med. cage Front Der: Shimano 105 Shifters: Shimano Dura Ace bar-ends, 9-speed Brakes: Tektro R556 with Kool Stop pads Brake levers: Tektro R200 Seatpost: Thomson Elite Saddle: Brooks B-17 Fenders: SKS P35 Water bottle cages: King Cassette: Shimano 105 13-25T Bag: Carradice Barley Tires: Michelin Carbon 23c right now, switching to Panaracer Pasela 32c soon. |
Mine is on page 7 as well....I had done 7 up too then...
I did 17 last year....hopefully more this year and a few under 5 hours.. http://www.offroadoverstock.com/pictures/wheels.jpg |
I just realized I never posted this...My first century bike, immeadiately after the fact:
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...2/100_1043.jpg |
That's my kind of bike right there! (except for the saddle, looks like a butt-hatchet).
|
Originally Posted by ianjk
(Post 6087688)
That's my kind of bike right there! (except for the saddle, looks like a butt-hatchet).
The saddle is actually great. It fit's my skinny butt perfectly and I actually find it more comfortable than my b17. |
Originally Posted by kraxmel
(Post 6001254)
This one is mine. In fact, I rode 154 miles on it Saturday and one of these days plan to do some touring and week long rides on it.
http://members.cox.net/%7Ecolorman/N...DSC02299_2.JPG WOW- really WOWWW! |
Okay, here's my current century ride:
http://www.linuxha.com/other/non-ha/.../Giant_CR3.jpg I did a double century last year on this bike. I love this bike for long rides. |
Originally Posted by matthew_deaner
(Post 6062331)
Here are some pics of my recently finished Salsa Casseroll.
I'm sure my La Raza would be fine for the odd century, but I keep looking at the Casseroll and wondering if it wouldn't be a better bike for me. The kicker is that I'm lopsided -- my legs want a 58 cm frame while my torso and arms want a 54. Do you think the sloping geometry would help me with that? I'm planning to be in Minneapolis over March Break, so I'm going to try and see if I can find a shop with a Casseroll I can swing a leg over. JJ |
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...he_upload2.jpg
here's my lemond but i'm hoping to build this up before the end of the rando season http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k2...og/casati4.jpg |
Originally Posted by Six jours
(Post 6009832)
Yeah, that was exactly my thought about the Ostrich bag. My only real problem with it is that it is quite a bit larger front-to-back thn the traditional bags, so it looks a little funny. I have read that having weight forward of the front axle has a negative effect on handling, as well, but don't know if this is the case. I am probably going to pop for a Berthoud bag at some point...
FWIW, if you like this kind of bike and plan on learning how to build them, I'd say getting a hold of all the back issues of Bicycle Quarterly is practically a requirement. There is more info about this stuff in those magazines than any other source I've seen. At the very least, get a copy opf volume three, issue three, which includes a serious investigation of what made the old French bikes handle, along with a dozen or so drawings of various constructeur frames with lengths and geometries included. Invaluable; I've been essentially copying them. |
Originally Posted by JasonJ
(Post 6152953)
I'm a huge Salsa fan -- I ride a La Raza now and I'm building up an El Santo right now -- and I love your Casseroll. Have you been out on it yet? It looks great.
I'm sure my La Raza would be fine for the odd century, but I keep looking at the Casseroll and wondering if it wouldn't be a better bike for me. The kicker is that I'm lopsided -- my legs want a 58 cm frame while my torso and arms want a 54. Do you think the sloping geometry would help me with that? I'm planning to be in Minneapolis over March Break, so I'm going to try and see if I can find a shop with a Casseroll I can swing a leg over. JJ I'm probably built a lot like you... my legs are really long for my height. The sloping geometry and high head tube do seem to bring the bars in a bit closer as compared to racing-style geometry, but honestly I can't tell a big difference between this bike and my more "racey" ones. The handling characteristics have been a bit of a surprise. I was expecting really relaxed, slow handling. Instead, the Salsa has somewhat quick steering, much quicker than my Surly LHT and Nishiki Prestige but not as quick as my Centurion LeMans and definitely not as quick as my Trek 5200. The handling seems like a nice compromise for a long distance bike. I thought it was a little too quick at first, but I've gotten used to it and I'm glad the handling is somewhat relaxed but still very much like that of a traditional road-racing bike. The frame has a nice supple ride, and is surprisingly stiff. For reference, I weigh 170 lbs and am 6-feet tall. I can detect some chainstay flex when climbing seated in a low gear, and I can feel a touch of flex when climbing while standing, but overall the casseroll is one of the stiffer steel frames that I've ridden, while still delivering a nice ride. Where the Casseroll really shines is fit and finish. The drop outs are hardened, polished stainless steel. The paint is simply perfect. It's a beautiful, rich metal flake, gold color, with a thick clearcoat. It looks so good I hate to take it out in the rain. I got a good deal on this frame ($289 USD) but now that I've had it for a couple of months, I would have easily have paid full price for it. |
Originally Posted by Hocam
(Post 6154469)
My only concern with reproducing french geometry is the rides where I don't need a handlebar bag. It's almost like you're designing a car around your favorite suitcase. Is this bike going be specifically for long distance rides where you really want to use the bag?
|
Originally Posted by Six jours
(Post 6154949)
I don't mind carrying a couple of unnecessary pounds on the weekly club rides, etc.,
See this link for details: http://www.linuxha.com/other/non-ha/...ded_view_b.jpg (it's my camelbak after a long ride, there wasn't much change in the pack). |
Originally Posted by Six jours
(Post 6154949)
I have a "standard" load that doesn't really change whether it's a 40 mile ride or a 400k. I don't mind carrying a couple of unnecessary pounds on the weekly club rides, etc., so it actually does make sense for me to "design around the bag".
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:54 AM. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.