repechage

I like it. My question would be the long term suitability of the standoffs to mount the rear rack to the seat stays and the front rack to the fork eyelets. This might be an aesthetic call but shaping the rack to meet the mounting points one would think would have less flex as the run would be diagonal, not a right angle turn.

Flog00

I see what you mean. The front lowrider is removable and attaches at three points, two of which have no standoffs. I feel it will be okay.

vqstaphbeard

Wow, looking fantastic!

southpawboston

@Flog00 My God, Nao has hit it out of the ball park with this one!

You are a very lucky guy to have such a special bike. Even by Nao's already high standards, this one sets the bar higher. His attention to detail is second to none, and his proportions are harmonious.

This is going to be a work of fine yet functional art when done.

Italuminium

Unlike some other builders I could mention, Tomii bikes are so graceful and well-proportioned. It takes an artist's eye to look beyond the superficial and make the structure balanced.

gomango

FWIW I use the BB7s on my Fargo.

When I do the rebuild I'll go Spyres. While the BB7s seem to work fine when they are dry, they downgrade quickly in the rough.

I ride a friend's Tamland 2 with Spyres from time to time and the TRPs just seem like a nice step up.

The op's nice bicycle won't likely see the same duty, but I just thought I would mention my brake preference.

Flog00

Use by Tomii Cycles, on Flickr

repechage

Okay, there was a plan. I would have taken a less mechanical approach but it works.
What color is this bicycle going to be?

Flog00

Pewter with light blue highlights. Racks chrome. Although I gave Tomii permission to change colors as he sees fit, he understands the look I'm going for.

The Golden Boy 

Every time I look at this, I see something new- the pump peg- glorious! There's all that real estate behind the seat tube that so few touring bikes use. The custom, fillet brazed stem- Wow... What bars are those? I love the Nitto B132, but I think even the widest one I've found is still a bit too narrow for Command Shifters and a front bag. The 46 Noodles are nice, bit I like the splay at the brake levers.

This is a really, really spectacular bike!

Flog00

Grand Cru Chris's Rando Handlebar - Handlebars - Components

I have the 48 width. They go to 50.

southpawboston

Even the color combo sounds amazing. My God I think I'm going to have to pour myself a drink and calm down... I'm shaking!

Nao is one of those builders with such an eye that I would TOTALLY be willing to tell him to pick a color and surprise me, but the combo you just mentioned sounds very classy and appropriate for this bike.

southpawboston

VO Zepps are widely becoming the choice fender for 650x42B builds. Very clean lines, and just the perfect shape and width for a 42mm tire. They are Peter Weigle's fender of choice as well. They have another benefit of having those two wide flutes, or the center raised section, that can be painted for a custom touch. I already have Zepps on two builds, so for my Jeff Lyon, I decided to go with hammered Honjos. I hope I don't regret it!

The ONLY thing I don't like about VO fenders is that the rolled edges tend to be pressed flat, precluding using them for routing a generator-driven taillight wire. Honjos have more rounded rolled edges.

I don't even know the brand of tubing Jeff Lyon used on my bike (and I don't need to know), and I only know the tubing specs for the main triangle.

RobE30

Very nice and clean.

vqstaphbeard

I'm assuming the arched piece is separate and can be bolted on sans rack for a reason, but I can't figure out why. What's the scoop?

Flog00

A way to eliminate the spacers. I like it.

It can be used up or down as needed

Not in use by Tomii Cycles, on Flickr

southpawboston

@Flog00, you should post this on the frame builder's forum... give 'em something to enjoy and perhaps get inspiration from... (not to knock any of them, there are some top-notch builders on there).

Flog00

I invited Nao to come check out this forum.

Italuminium

He'll be knee deep in praise before he knew what hit him.

Wildwood 

I've been lurking on this thread, and nothing more can be said except to heap on more superlatives. But it should be stated that this is a show worthy frameset. NAHBS 2015 is in Louisville. Has Tomii exhibited there previously? New builders are always recruited.

edit: Thank you Flog00 - for putting this on C&V. A cross post to Framebuilders might be warranted.

Isn't the custom build process a rewarding experience? I got to know 2 builders who created very excellent bicycles for me - but nothing as specially detailed as this frameset. And the color choice is suited IMHO. Hope it rides as nice as it looks.

Flog00

Drawing for JL custom paint by Tomii Cycles, on Flickr

Flog00

As of now Tomii is not planning to attend NAHBS, I had secretly hoped that he would

This process has been fun, and I still have a ways to go after I pick up the frameset.

I can't wait to take it on a week long tour this summer with my soon to be Denison University bound daughter

repechage

A nice little 'Viz as designers call them, for Rapid Visualization. Which often is not rapid… but faster than a full rendering.
I like the graphic break very much. The previous use of the logotype was not that appealing. This "places" it on the bike quite well, and is different, one would have to reach to find a precedent.

He is having fun with it, which is good for you as the effort I bet is beyond the final price.

Color rendition via a web page is really not worth commenting on very much, I would consider the tube accent panel color to be possibly a bit brighter than the color swatches point toward. The sketch shows the green pretty bright and the primary frame color pretty neutral. I would move the two outer colors closer together, to show the cream as a narrower band as it will appear on the frame.

Flog00

Racks back from plating. Same chrome company that Jay Leno uses. Looks nice


Back from plating by Tomii Cycles, on Flickr

Back from plating by Tomii Cycles, on Flickr

Back from plating by Tomii Cycles, on Flickr

Back from plating by Tomii Cycles, on Flickr

Back from plating by Tomii Cycles, on Flickr

Back from plating by Tomii Cycles, on Flickr

vqstaphbeard

I love when this thread has updates. Racks look great!