Camargue? EOTWAWKI?

Huh. I haven't seen this before, but at first glance I like what I see. Thanks for sharing it, maybe I'll join you on one next year!

It's a pretty frame. reasonably priced. and the fork is really cool.

curious, if a frame can handle wide 700c tires, does that negate desire for 650b?

It is a good looking frame and there is nothing wrong with a double butted 4130 frame for a bicycle of this type... it probably benefits the frame in making things a touch stiffer and adds some more robust tubes.



I like it when frames have threaded bosses on the chain and seat stays, but not that VO has left this open up top as it seems like a great place for water and dirt to enter the bridge.

If it was me I would make the fork a little more useful / versatile by adding lowrider mounts and a second set of eyelets. I don't like socket dropouts as although they speed construction and look cool, they are a pita when you have to make a repair and horizontal drops would also add some options for an IGH drive.

But then that is just me, and if I wanted a frame like this I'd just fire up the torch.

I like the vertical dropouts, because I like to run fenders. They make removing the rear wheel easy without deflating the tire.

For sealing the top hole on the bridge I've seen people use softened beeswax. I don't know how common that is, but someone did it to a used frame that I purchased some time ago and having a big block of the stuff I started doing it as well. It's also a good way to plug up holes that I've drilled into fenders and no longer use.

I really like the look of this, no problem with the faux head lugs or threadless steerer - or 4130 tubing. I agree that fork lowrider bosses would be great. Maybe for a rougher stuff tourer? Price seems reasonable for this, compared with say a Surly - but shipping to the UK could make a massive difference. For now I'll stick to my C&V steel, but maybe one day..............?

Camargue =
https://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2013...-built-up.html

EOTWAWKI = End of the World as We Know It

I'll let you guys know how it goes with this frameset.

I'll order one after the holidays.

I have a fresh alloy Veloce gruppo sitting here purchased on another forum.

I ordered a set of H Plus Sons with 105 hubs on sale a month ago, so I'll see what I can rig up.

I have everything else as well, all scavenged off of our local CL .

Nitto Noodles, Paul Neo Retro/Touring, a Brooks Professional and some beat up Berthoud fenders.

Should be a fun, relatively inexpensive project.

FWIW, I saw one of these frames in person today at the Philadelphia Bike Expo. I was impressed with how well it was constructed. It was built up as a rando-esque road bike. Welds were smooth and finish looked great.

It doesn't, there are several factors that determine how a frame behaves. As for the 4130=fail comment...we'll, then I've enjoyed some really nice failures.

As for the Pass Hunter, I like it.

Good to know.

Thanks!

How is this better than a Soma Double Cross? The paint job?

I was there, too, and I saw the bike, but I didn't see you. I agree that the bike looked very nice. Whoever makes the frames takes very good care to do so meticulously.

I also talked to Chris of VO and gave him praise for what he's doing in general.

I'm afraid the 650b frame I bought months ago may never materialize, so I'm interested in building up one of these Pass Hunter frames. The top tube is long for me, but I have a nice lugged and fillet brazed stem that will work well on it. I will buy one when I sell my Soma Smoothie frame.

The more I look, the more I like this frame. The geometry and construction is very Bridgestone esque, i.e., RB-T. So the BOBs should be happy.

In general, I very much like this new retroish steel frame trend, including VO, Surly, All City, Black Mountain Cycles, Soma, etc.

I went with the Surly CC and the Black Mountain Road, but could have very easily gone in the direction of any of the above.

I'll be very interested to see how this develops.

Did someone say it was better than a Double Cross? It's a similarly priced frame (note the Soma doesn't come with a fork, so add that in). The details are a little different, including, yes, the paint job. The Soma has slightly more aggressive geometry, which is the biggest difference, IMO. They both look like decent options to me, depending on your personal preference. Why does one need to be "better?"

Simple-ish question with a probably complex answer. If the frame can fit and I can afford a good, supple wider 700c tire (GB Cypres, Challenge Parigi-Roubaix or Eroica/Strada Bianca), I don't feel the need to look at 650b for that frame. But I've never ridden a frame designed around 650b, and only one of my frames fits a 42mm Hetre. Most of my 650b bikes are conversions from 700c with narrow tire clearances, that don't fit anything wider than 650x31-35mm tires. I'm a Clydesdale, so I can't get down to squishy-low floaty tire pressures, even on the wider tires, which probably negates some of the magic of really wide 650b rubber. I think this is very deep into YMMV territory.

Good question. I'm on the fence myself, and am also on the bigger side (about 200 lbs). But, I'm inclined to think that, on the paved roads that am almost always on, 28-32 is my sweet spot for tire width. So, if I have a buy a rando frame, I'm inclined to go with 700 c bike. It would be a bonus if it could fit 38s in a pinch.

On the other hand, if you live in areas where trails and gravel are more common, then a 650b bike, with tires in the 38-42 range might be a better choice....

These are just my thoughts, and I'm trying to work through this issue as well...

On the VO blog, they confirmed that you could fit 35's and fenders, but it would be tight. They are advertising 32's and fenders because they prefer the clearance. I suspect you might be able to just squeak in 38's with no fenders. You could email them and ask.

They have been testing two different builds. The one you see on the blog is wearing 35mm Clement tires. Not sure what they actually measure, but there appears to be ample room.

I love that fork crown.

+1 - If I look at this thread one more time, it's gonna cost me $520!

I need people to buy my stuff so I can pull the trigger on the 59cm in my cart. Thanks.

I was there Sunday not long after they opened, with my 12 & 7 year olds in tow. What day were you there Tom? We went to the Reading Terminal to get a Dinic's roast beef sandwich but ever since they have been on the damn food channel, the line is too long!

These are local, so I could facilitate (assuming they are still available):
https://baltimore.craigslist.org/bik/4178049615.html
-john