That thing looks great, even with the Vee's which I don't usually like a vintage build. I've been wanting to do the IGH thing to one of a couple old frame sets I've got sitting around waiting for something different to happen to them. What is your IGH & shifter combo there? My experience with IGH culture is negligible and I've never seen one set up to use a barcon. I really like the look of that setup; details please.

Edit: HA! I knew someone was going to crap on your seat angle (which, even by my standards, looks a bit extreme.)

Any modding of the slot, and you'll want to be very careful to maintain the top edge height of the slot versus the opposite side dropout.

Elsewise you'll have a wheel that won't center within the seatstays and caliper.

I would file carefully, and if the rim is cocked to the right within the seatstays, then some additional trimming of the top inside surface of the driveside slot will allow the axle to settle such that the rim centers under the caliper bolt.

And as GrandBois said, you don't have to make the slot all that deep in order to adjust chain tension. Try it first and trim only as needed, trying for a very flat top surface that is fully parallel to the top surface of the left dropout.

It's not rocket science, but craftsmanship counts here.

Thanks caveman! I am excited about it, glad to hear I am not insane. (or at least there are others just as crazy)

I was not a fan of the deep v wheels either, but went with them because the chukkers are supposed to be the sturdiest wheels you can get, and I am heavy (230lbs). Plus, you can get them pretty cheap due to the popularity of fixies. I got them as a fixie wheelset, with formula hubs, for less than it would cost to build them up myself. (Then I laced in the Nexus 7) They did turn out better than anticipated. I think, where deep Vs look rather intense on a normal sized frame, on a large frame like this one, they seem somehow in proportion.

I have the shimano Nexus 7. I found a cheap used one CL. It shifts amazingly smooth, and I have had it for over a year, 2k+ miles, not an once of maintenance and it seems to be working better than the day I got it. I can recommend it for those reasons. I am always tempted by standard derailleurs because the Nexus 7 is a lead weight. But then, every-time I ride a standard setup, it seems so sloppy in comparison now that I am used the the Nexus.

I have a J-tek shifter on it. That is what takes it to a professional setup. The stock plastic grip shifter is a joke. The J-tek turns the whole drive-train into a smooth precise setup, like cocking a rifle or something.. click click click. Its very nice.

Seat angle. Yes, it was odd. I took the previous pic on my first ride out on the new frame, and with the new seat tube angle, I was doing my usual fit procedure of moving the saddle up to the point that its too high, and then moving it down a bit from there. Here is an updated pic with the latest setting, which seems to be in the sweet spot. Although, I am sure I am still asking for it, because this time I forgot to take out my ugly water bottle and took a non-drive-side pic. :doh: I'll get this pic thing figured by the time I have an actual C&V to show off.



Also... this thing is fast! Probably because it fits better (though it is 1.5lbs lighter than my previous frame). I just rode home, my usual route, and shaved 3 minutes off the commute.

That looks great! fabulous job.

Late to the party, but I did this to the giant frame I converted to singlespeed (neon yellow bar tape and OMG white fixed wheels in my signature). I roughed the cut with an angle grinder and then took it in to the lines with a file by hand.

Maybe 20 minutes and you'd never know I'd done it.