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Orca!

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Old 05-25-08 | 05:26 AM
  #51  
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Originally Posted by jsmithepa
The red cables do complement the red tires, but to my taste, I rather have those shifter cables hidden, a bit impossible I know.

Since I ride most of the time with my hands on top, I woulnd't mind having classic shifters on the downtube, and do away with the extra cables and have things cleaner, but that's just old foggie me.

Gold accents on the components, not on the frame.
I have DT shifters on the Pinarello, Trek, Vetta, Waterford, Giordana and Fuso. I ran out. Gold accents on the components are another thing altogether. I'm not quite ready to melt down my old rope chains just yet...
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Old 05-25-08 | 06:16 AM
  #52  
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Originally Posted by 55/Rad
I love the Orca but you do see these bikes fairly often. This build was a difficult one for me as I wanted to keep it simple and focused on the frame but do something unique. Most examples of this black and white Orca tend to have a lot of other logos and badges attached to them, thus (in my opinion) detracting from the beauty of the frame.

The red cables are a subtle touch. I discovered how nice they can work on the Pinarello and in this case, I imagined an Orca whale with a touch of blood in its mouth. Like it had just bitten a walrus or something.

I sat on this frame for months waiting for inspiration. It finally came in the form of the wheels - the Spinergy Xaero lites - and their ultra cool PBO white spokes.

The Campy group had been sitting in my garage for 4 years, waiting for the Tete to be done. I figured it was time to put it to good use.

55/Rad
Yeah, those wheels set it off superbly. Before I came across this post, I was going to ask what wheels those were. They're perfect (aesthetically at least).

Dude, the biggest problem with your photo posts is that I'm almost ashamed of taking photos of my own bike - everything comes up too short. Sorta like watching pros ride the mountains in person. You try it yourself and then realize you're either best off being a spectator or finding another sport!
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Old 05-25-08 | 06:36 AM
  #53  
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Nice photography, especially the selective focus detail shots. Great lighting throughout. What I like even better is your sense of design and detailing on the bikes? How do you store all of these bikes?
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Old 05-25-08 | 08:07 AM
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Awesome, just awesome!
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Old 05-25-08 | 08:13 AM
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Tasty.

Muy delicioso.
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Old 05-25-08 | 09:09 AM
  #56  
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Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow!

I love the touch of red in the cable housing, it takes it away from being a monochromatic bike.
I gotta go now .... I need to get a paper towel to wipe the drool off of my key board.
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Old 05-25-08 | 09:27 AM
  #57  
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really nice

they should pay you, i'm considering an orca now
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Old 05-25-08 | 10:34 AM
  #58  
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top notch as usual Rad!!....but tell me,....how is the Nashbar seat??...I've been thinking about one.
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Old 05-25-08 | 10:43 AM
  #59  
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Originally Posted by Pharmr
top notch as usual Rad!!....but tell me,....how is the Nashbar seat??...I've been thinking about one.
I wondered how long it would be before someone noticed and asked. Interesting story about this seat.

I originally bought a Fizik Arione AG2R team version - the black and white one - from a guy on another forum. The package either got lost or hung up in customs, which sucked as its hard to find a deal on this saddle. New, they are $175.

I kept staring at this Nashbar saddle thinking it had the right look but wondering if it would be any good. When it went on sale for $22, I took a flyer and bought one.

I was surprised. Its actually a nice saddle in terms of perceptible quality. Its a bit thicker in the padding than I am used to but I really like the way it fits. Its stiff enough in the spine and the "wing flex" isn't loose at all.

I'm going to stick with it for awhile. If that Arione ever shows up, I'll move it to another bike.
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Old 05-25-08 | 10:59 AM
  #60  
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Hey, I got one of those less expensive Nashbar saddles on my Navy bike. It feels just as good as my SLR. I Kinda like my wife's white Rav-X too. Many of these cheaper saddles are just carbon copies of the original name designs with a differant cover, that's all.

btw Rad....

Black and white with a little bit of red all over, never looked sooooo gooooood.

(Not much unlike the way I quickly skim the Seattle PI)
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Old 05-25-08 | 11:37 AM
  #61  
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Has nobody noticed my favorite part - the two tone bar wrapping? Only Rad would have the stones to pimp his ride with a full Cleveland.

And it looks great.
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Old 05-25-08 | 11:55 AM
  #62  
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Originally Posted by SpongeDad
Has nobody noticed my favorite part - the two tone bar wrapping? Only Rad would have the stones to pimp his ride with a full Cleveland.

And it looks great.
Thanks Daddy-O.

The front end was a mish mash of difficult choices. I knew I wanted the red cables to offset the full monochromatic look and I wanted to continue with the B/W theme, but do something that you don't see all the time.

At one point, I had a full checkerboard thing going. Alternating black and white bar tape on the tops and drops. White tape top left, black drop left, black tape top right and white drop right. Black brake cable coming out of the white tape and white cable coming out of the black. I even bought a set of Hudz white hoods and had a white on the right.

This was just one of the many combinations I took a look at. In the end, I thought it was cool and clever but again, detracted from the overall goal of keeping it simple and not taking away from the frame.

I like where it ended up but I know myself too well to think I will live with it for much more than a few months or so.

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Old 05-25-08 | 11:57 AM
  #63  
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Very nice pictures! Product photography is not easy at all.
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Old 05-25-08 | 12:39 PM
  #64  
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Rad, I love it.

It's the attention to every detail that I basically mention in every reply post to one of your new creations but it's every bit as true for your latest - very very impressive.

What I admire is the fact that you speak openly about the art element of your bikes, while still riding them and enjoying them as they deserve. It seems you have the perfect balance.

Finally, the photography is stunning once again. When you first posted the pictures of your Trek, I kept meaning to rig up a lighting bank and do such a shoot for each of my bikes but the time/money trade-off is yet to allow me such luxuries! At uni, loads of time, no money. Now, money is ok but I have no time!

I will get round to it one day and post the results.

Thanks for another great post and all the best for some fantastic rides on your stunning Orca.
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Old 05-25-08 | 12:56 PM
  #65  
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55/Rad,

where did you get the red cabling? on the orca the brake cables are red, and the gear cables black, right?
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Old 05-25-08 | 02:01 PM
  #66  
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Beautiful bike Rad!
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Old 05-25-08 | 04:12 PM
  #67  
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Originally Posted by PeddlingPilgrim
55/Rad,

where did you get the red cabling? on the orca the brake cables are red, and the gear cables black, right?
Red cable housing was sourced at a local LBS. Black is for the brakes, red for the shifters.
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Old 05-25-08 | 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by 55/Rad
Thank you all for your very kind comments.

Naturally, when I shoot a bike, I always look to do some artsy stuff.





55/Rad your photos are inspiring on so many levels. The Orca has a stunning design and you capture their essence completely.

I am just getting into cycling and your pictures have opened my eyes to what could be.

peace, b.
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Old 05-25-08 | 04:46 PM
  #69  
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absolutely gorgeous!!!
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Old 05-25-08 | 04:59 PM
  #70  
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Bike porn!

Keep up the photos folks. I love it!

~Steve
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Old 05-25-08 | 05:06 PM
  #71  
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Beautiful bike!

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Old 05-25-08 | 05:33 PM
  #72  
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Originally Posted by jsmithepa
Perhaps am getting old, but not too crazy about these new frame shapes, still prefer the classic. Your Pinarello was perfection and nothing top it yet.

Orca above... red cable up front and nowhere else seems to scream for some color matching somewhere else. Uninspiring chainring/wheels, as an object of art that is, am sure they perform superb. A dab of gold accents here/there to complement the black would be good 4me.
jsmith, usually I'm with you on the traditional frames (Masi, Mondonico, Woodrup, and Trek in my house), but I think an Orca is just sex on wheels! There's a pink and black one in town here owned by a fast woman, and seeing it with her on it is a treat!

If you can see one in person, do so, then see if you think they haven't done something special.
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Old 05-25-08 | 05:33 PM
  #73  
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Originally Posted by Apollo
Bike porn!

Keep up the photos folks. I love it!

~Steve
Even better, Orca porn!
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Old 05-25-08 | 05:38 PM
  #74  
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well Rad...I decided to get one of those seats....for $30 delivered, I figured what the heck!
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Old 05-25-08 | 05:44 PM
  #75  
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Want!

Sweet baby Jeebus man.. Orbea needs to hire you!
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