Curious to see what the members think about the new VO Pass Hunter frameset.

Here are some pics of the production frameset and a link for details.

https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-frameset.html

Nice terraplane style fork that has a shock absorbing profile with canti mounts and obvious fender clearance (would prefer a mid fork rack mount, but that's the tourist in me...)
Reasonable clearance on the stays yet not so long that flex is an obvious issue
Standard size fork/wheels
Seems to split the difference between sport tour and tour geometry
Proper bridges and rack mounts, yes

Don't care for the pseudo-lug thing on the headtube, but no performance penalty there...

For a modern production frame, there's quite a bit to like in that. Looks stable and fairly comfortable on gravel and fire roads, which is a plus for you. Priced a bit, but if it's what you want certainly not too high.

Would look awfully nice with a 90's campy triple crankset on it pushing an 8 speed close ratio rear (covering all your bases).

Them's my thoughts...

I like a lot on that bike.

At first glance, however, 4130 = fail. The wheel size of 32s + fenders seems marginal.

I like the vertical dropouts, the 1 1/8 headtube, and that nice cherry color.

None of this matters though. It's just my opinion from reading the web. It matters how it fits and how it rides.

You know, on my "dream build" bicycle- I want to have a "Ritchey-esque" biplane fork. I have one on my Stumpjumper and think it's the cat's pyjamas- since no one else has been making bikes with that- I thought it would be the coolest thing to do that.

My secret plan was to get a custom build from Ellis Cycles, and have a biplane fork made.

Earlier this year, I saw that he made a bike with a Biplane fork.

Now I see this bike with it's Biplane fork.

I was in on it before it was cool. Again.

This VO bike looks pretty cool. A whole lot of what I like in a bicycle is on that. Including the Biplane fork.

Thanks guys, appreciated.

I am looking for a new commuter for next spring.

I've commuted on everything from Colnago Supers to Cross Checks to an old Pinarello cross frameset.

I hear you on 4130, but I still might not rule this out.

Keep the comments coming please.

Seems like a really great deal. The only thing that I don't like is the threadless fork.... I'm afraid that I couldn't live with that... Tire clearance and the vertical DOs are really appealing to me (32 is plenty wide for the city). I'm a little surprised that they didn't go with low trail geometry though...

I dig it. I think it's a perfect utilitarian/weekend bike. You won't cry when you scratch it, but you won't be ashamed to ride it with friends.

Is the geometry chart for the 55 cm a typo or why does only this size get the 73.5° seat tube? Not 72.5° like all the others?
Not a big fan of socketed rear dropouts, but they are fast and neat to assemble.

It reminds me a little of the All-City Space Horse. Key differences that come to mind are the Space Horse uses a sloping top tube, the Space Horse can accept a wider tire, the Space Horse has semi-horizontal dropouts.....both bikes seem nice, IMO. Similar intended purpose, I think it's fair to say. I like the anti-corrosion treatment All-City uses on their frames....I think I favor the All-City for this type of bike, personally. I think I'd like the wider tire capacity and the versatility the dropouts provide.

"At first glance, however, 4130 = fail."



Okay. I'll bite. Why?

No particularly good reason . . .

If I may. I don't think this is a commuter or a city bike. This is meant to be a performance bicycle for the long distance rider. For such a rider a 32mm with fenders is adequate when covering 200-400 kms per day with bar bag and maybe a saddle bag or trunk bag on a rack. I believe this is more of a real randonneuse. That said it is perfectly capable of touring and commuting.

the top tube seems long and really my 1984 Nishiki Continental has all the features this bike has except 1-1/8" threadless.

All City is actually a good company to use as an example.

They make the Nature Boy single speed in 4130 equivalent and Columbus Zona.

Both actually ride well for most riders, but the Zona version shaves a little weight for cross racing applications.

I have ridden both and the big difference is the stiffness in the bb/stays. Imho

I like it. I like the 130mm dropout spacing and the 700c wheels and the price.

The 4130 is fine.

I'll agree with Chrome Molly on not liking the head-tube-lug wannabes though.

But as I'm sure you know, those clever marketeers at All-City label it "612 Select" (612 = area code of Minneapolis). ..........In all seriousness, I really like some of the All-City models, the Space Horse being one of them. I think this Pass Hunter looks nice, too.

Like I said in my post, how it fits and rides is more important than what it's made out of.

My comment on 4130 comes from my own touring bikes. The differences between triple butted cro moly and 531ST are night and day. The 531ST rides a lot better.

I think it would be a great commuter, but I have never ridden the frame.

I think it would make a fine commuter.

i would choose the Pass Hunter over a Surly Crosscheck, and I have a Crosscheck... i love the Pass Hunter looks, very classy. Can't comment on the ride though.

I don't seem to exert nearly as much effort when climbing with my Tange frame, and the weight difference between that bike and my 4130 bike hasn't been a factor. I hear that it has something to do with frame flex and pedaling cadence. But it can't all come down to the tubing, can it?

If I can sell all the 80s vintage frames that I've picked over the years and left unbuilt for one reason or another, mostly sizing, I might just get one of these.

I don't really like it either. However, most of the affordable quill stems only have 60mm of usable length above the minimum insertion mark. The Technomic is the exception, but that's way too long on small frames, and that's if you even have enough head tube to use, which you won't with a level top tube. So I can see why I would be willing to forget about aesthetics and height adjustment to keep overall build cost lower.

"carfart"??

I prefer revolting or unflattering nics to distance myself from the medium and like the idea that any impression of gravity my writing may give is dispelled by them.

I agree, I'd take it over my Bianchi Volpe.

But I'm more excited about the Camargue - would make a great EOTWAWKI trail rider.

LOL! Well said, Sir!

I like the pretty pic on the seat tube.