Sounds just like the bike I would build.

Taiwan is now the place where the finest mass produced bikes are made. There used to be a lot of crap from there, but that's no reason to expect to pay less than a fair price for a very good product. If this frame were made elsewhere, it would cost more, so why complain about the price when it's already a low price? This is not cheap crap.

Take a look at all the bike stuff made in Taiwan today. Find fault in it. It's not easy.

They posted some naked lug pics on their blog a few weeks ago. Looks like nice workmanship:
https://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2013...de-frames.html

There are a lot of things I like about this frame. I like their TA copy crankset on it like that too....well done all around so far.

I wish they had a blue version and I still don't like the pseudo head lugs.

I just want to hear some ride reports before I plunk down the cash.

I'll be building it for an old friend that is just getting back into bicycling and I think this looks like a wonderful way to hop back into the fun.

For not so many $$$$.

I think a front rack and a bag would really extend the usefulness of the bike as well.

I'm also curious to hear about fender recommendations, as I don't want to experiment that much with someone else's cash.

A very nice and good looking build. A better perspective with components installed. Looking forward to seeing this done.
If I was in the market for a versatile frameset I'd have to seriously consider this one.

They look like lugs on the top & bottom of the head-tube...why are they pseudo?

Because it isn't a lugged frame. It's a welded frame. It just seems pretentious unless they serve the purpose of holding the tubing together. Minor stuff I realize but it bugs me.

Thanks, but that's not a Velo Orange crankset. It's a Stronglight 49d with TA rings.

I have to say that the look of the welds and the paint job on my VO Campeur is superb. The quality of the frame and the build parts is higher than the price I payed (in others words a great value). And the bike rides great.

Oh

Some subtle differences between the 3. I should have recognized the arm forging but VO copied that on another crankset, lol. That looks like the perfect matchup either way. I would've liked the red except that I've already got a red bike. Looks great though!

I still might still get one next year or the year after if I have the money to throw at it. They've come up with a "Camargue" frame as well now. Waiting to see what the rear dropout spacing is for that one.

https://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2013...e-is-here.html

Of course they picked a color I'm not interested in for it. Unless maybe they offer it in orange. By the time I get into one there will be more to choose from I'm sure.

I would love to see some more builds, and read a ride report form anyone that has been able to spend time on one.

I'm surprised that in five pages, nobody's yet mentioned comparing the Pass Hunter to it's obvious competition: the Taiwanese-made Soma Stanyan, with it's lovely Tange Prestige tubeset.

Edit:

Btw, I'm with Lamplight about the VO framesets; they're pretty nice, but there have always been one or two things that have kept me from seriously considering one. With the Polyvalent, it's the shorter chainstays; with the Campeur, there isn't a 650b option (and in 700c, I'd personally rather have an old Trek Cirrus or 620, if not a Koga or Miyata GT frame). In the case of the Pass Hunter, while that biplane fork IS admittedly very sexy, I think I'd still prefer the Stanyan, even though it is about $150 more.

It certainly is... if anyone just made a sloped top plane fork, like the Ritchey and Specialized copies...

My Stanyan is a nice frameset but the spec is more in the old school British club rider's design w/ 28mm max clearance & fenders and caliper brakes. Mine functions as a modern substitute for my International; versatile, lively, lugged & light enough.
If I needed more clearance the Pass Hunter would be worth a look.

-Bandera

I haven't taken pics yet, because mine's not 100% done, and with the current weather I haven't ridden it as much as I would like. However I did get it on a couple of 25+ mile rides and I like it a lot. It feels very solid. It's one of those bikes where you're not thinking about how springy or stiff or whatever it is, because it just feels solid (not heavy) and steady. It's very nice.

Ah- I see: so- for you guys, the allure is as much in the Pass Hunter's tire clearance as it is in the modern/retro lugged design, then? I guess I can understand that.

What appeals to me are the canti bosses and ability to run fat-ish 700c tires. I have enough road bikes, really. Combining off pavement capabilities with the nature of a well mannered road bike seems like something that might be worth the money for me.

This is a very interesting conversation.

Hey- we're like week-old 7-11 hot dogs: "the franks with experience."

That just made me shudder.

Probably a little more than 'gas station sushi'

Tuna fish sandwich?

The best tuna sandwich I ever had was at a gas station. Of course, it was in Paris. It was super hot, and we had been riding all day and had waited too long to eat, so for all I know, it wasn't even very good. But it sure hit the spot.

"Hunger is the best spice for food; thirst for drink."
- Cicero, quoting Socrates.

Wow

I didn't even know they made this beautiful chrome lugged frame until just reading this. That's more of a standard road frame but I certainly do like it a lot. If I didn't have a build to finish with this spring's bonus check I'd certainly be sinking my money into that one.