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-   -   New VO polyvalent (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/784385-new-vo-polyvalent.html)

Balexander 11-30-11 10:48 AM

New VO polyvalent
 
Well, it's done. *The fantastic fellas at A-1 cyclery here in
indianapolis have completed my new polyvalent, or as I have been
calling it; the polywhozit. *The weather here is miserable currently,
so it looks like it will be a couple days before I really ride her.
Chris did of course let me do laps inside his shop. *I have a couple
of racks to order, but this is it. *I think she's a beaut, and the
guys at A-1 are second to none, also big fans of VO.

Nitto bar and stem
Shimano shifters and levers
Tektro brakes
Deore x7 hubs
8spd cassette
105 front dérailleur
Deore x7 rear dérailleur
Sugino 3spd crank
MKS Lambda pedals
Nifty-swifty tires
Dyad velocity 36h wheels
Brooks b17
Nitto post
VO hammered fenders
Bags are Swiss ammo bags fitted with bontranger interchange components
Chris did the rivendell style Cloth tape wrap

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/6dcf7436.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/c1cbf043.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/442e60a9.jpg

lostarchitect 11-30-11 11:02 AM

That is one really pretty bike. Congrats!

Wolfwerx 11-30-11 11:05 AM

Gorgeous. It looks fantastic, and I like the color scheme.

Rick@OCRR 11-30-11 11:07 AM

Very beautiful in a classic sort of way. And rather Rivendell-ish too (and that's a good thing!). Looks ready for lots of years of solid commuting, plus cycle tourist duties.

Rick / OCRR

Balexander 11-30-11 11:10 AM

I have a couple stainless racks on the way. Replacing that black axiom on the rear (it was meant to be temporary) and adding one for the front. I plain on doing some 3 day park trips here in Indy.

Mark Stone 11-30-11 11:13 AM

Very nice looking machine! Don't forget your lights/mirror/bell/horn/this/that! Looks like it's a winner! :thumb:

Balexander 11-30-11 11:15 AM

Bell and lights are now mounted. I took the photos straight from the shop :). With the bike accidents we've had recently in Indy, it's safety first!

tarwheel 11-30-11 12:33 PM

Very nice!

fietsbob 11-30-11 12:38 PM

Something to ride on the weekends, right?

Balexander 11-30-11 12:40 PM

This will be my daily commuter :)

jeffpoulin 11-30-11 12:45 PM

That bike truly is polyvalent, which in French means 'versatile'.

amgarcia 11-30-11 01:04 PM

Post updated pictures when you get everything installed!

pallen 11-30-11 01:29 PM

very nice!

Looks a lot like my bike, but nicer :lol:
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j4...0217110729.jpg

modernjess 11-30-11 02:57 PM

That sure is purdy. Congrats! Now go ride the hell out of it!

nashcommguy 11-30-11 03:25 PM

Don't know if I'd ride it or just park it inside and look at it. :p It's a really well thought out and executed build. Very clean and classic look. Now as previously stated go and ride the hell out of it. :thumb:

himespau 11-30-11 03:45 PM

Awesome. I love how the tape matches the honey saddle perfectly. I'm beginning the process of building up a townie for my wife and have been thinking it's going to get a honey B67 and possibly mustache bars (or their soma equivalent), but was wondering what tape I could get to match the saddle without dropping some serious cash on brooks leather. What tape is that?

pallen 11-30-11 03:50 PM

Looks like old school cloth tape and shellac.

Balexander 11-30-11 04:59 PM

The tape is White cloth tape with amber shellac. The owner of a1 cyclery does that himself. The mechanic and owner at a1 were amazing. I came with a general list of what I wanted (shimano bar ends, nitto where it matters, 8 speed cas., stainless all around). They then proceeded to build up a list of actual parts. They saved me me tons on the wheels ($150 less than the VO), and they had me in there through the whole process test riding, and snapping photos. Great dudes. They are also a trek dealer and we recently purchased an allant wsd for my wife from them as well. I love the fact that Chris would say (while looking for a bike for her), I'm not going to sell you that. What I wanted was honesty and expertise, and they carry that in spades.

mihlbach 11-30-11 05:38 PM


Originally Posted by Balexander (Post 13547566)
*The weather here is miserable currently,
so it looks like it will be a couple days before I really ride her.

You gotta get it dirty sometime.

Balexander 11-30-11 05:41 PM

I rode it today after work. Rides like a dream. Those 650b's are amazing. It is just right for me, my Goldielockes bike :)

Andy_K 11-30-11 06:35 PM

Gorgeous! I love the curl of the fork.

JAG410 11-30-11 07:49 PM

Beautiful bike, I saw it this morning on VO's twitter feed!

seenoweevil 11-30-11 08:25 PM

Very classy!

uprightbent 12-02-11 08:14 PM

Great looking bike, very similar to what I plan on building. Still debating an IGH.

Im a big VO fan and love this bike, but I'm concerned about the extra long top tube, and see that you've used a fairly long stem. Can you share the size of this frame and your height. My remedy to shorten the top tube was going to be a 60mm stem with Nitto Noodles sweeping back about another 10mm. I'm hoping this works.

Balexander 12-02-11 08:34 PM

The frame size is 54 cm. the stem is a 110Mm nitto technomic deluxe. I am all torso (29" inseem at 5'10"), so my fit is a bit odd. I required a smaller frame with a big reach.


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