Apologies for cross-posting.

Some of you have seen this bike in earlier incarnations. First, as a geared road bike with a Suntour Cyclone RD and Simplex Retrofriction DT shifter. Then as a fixed gear. Now it’s reborn as a single speed 650b. Pics here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmjiYrgz

This is a custom-made frame by Bob Maharrey, a midwestern frame builder in the late 80s. It’s made of Reynolds 531 and Columbus tubing. It features a Cinelli bottom bracket, Campagnolo drop-outs with a Portacatena option (see here: https://bit.ly/2Lo6moW). It has braze-ons galore including a pump peg, downtube shifters, front derailleur, derailleur cables, and routing for an internal brake cable. Top it off with a fastback seat stay and it makes for a very pretty frame. I bought it powder coated last year.

The frame is also pretty light and this build, despite a heavy wheelset (6lbs) and a heavy Brooks Pro saddle (1.2lbs) came in at 21lbs total.

Here’s what I used:

Rivendell-built Shimano Ultegra hubs laced to Velocity Twin Hollow rims with a 16t cog (single-speed)
Rivendell Nifty Swifty 32mm tires
Gran Bois Maes Parallel bars with Tektro TRP RRL levers, Newbaum’s blue bar tape with clear shellac and a Dia Compe ENE stem
Dura Ace 7400 headset
Sakae/Ringyo (SR) Royal-P1 seat post
Sugino May cranks 46t
Brooks Pro saddle
MKS Urban Platform pedals with VO half clips
Tektro R556 brakes
Kiley USB lights
Spurcycle bell

An earlier version had beautiful red Gran Bois 38mm tires on it (see album). Frankly, I didn’t notice much of a difference in ride quality between either pair of tires or 28c Rivendell Rolly Polly tires I had on a 700c wheel set.

What I have noticed however with the 650bs in no pain above my knees after riding. That is true for both 700c fixed and road wheels I used. Why that is I wish someone could tell me…. Anyway, enjoy the pics.

Doug