powerband

It's been a while since I've been on this forum. I thought I'd update readers on an on-going story that started with two previous threads that eventually lead to the bike in the pictures below.


Below is a link to the thread -- the ORIGINAL thread -- in which I stripped an old, essentially dumpster-dive Univega frame and asked a young girl to paint it for me, in any fashion she wanted. This bike was going to be my daily ride, but as things unfolded and by the end of the thread I had changed my mind:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ight=powerband


And so in this thread I asked for your help in finding a frame that I WOULD use as a daily ride, and found a builder:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ight=powerband


So here is the frame that was built by Chauncey Matthews Cycles:

It arrived wrapped with extreme care.


Signed.


My initial cut into the bottom bracket shell.


Fancy hand-built rear brake bridge, in case I decide to ride without a rear brake.


One of my favorite features is the stainless-steel Spade head badge.


Build process.


The Atrocity Jones in the background.


Finished build. Mostly Campy components.

powerband

48 X 18. I decided to make it a freewheel single-speed instead of fixed. But I can turn it into a fixed anytime.

powerband

Very clean and sharp lug lines.


Another of my favorite features, the subtle Spade on the seat tube.






This bike checks in at a little below 18 pounds. Not bad for steel -- which is Dedacciai Zero.
The craftsmanship is precise and absolutely clean, the paint flawless.
It is an around-town bike, a daily commuter.
I made it a single speed so that my wife can ride it, too.
It has eyelets for fenders and rack.
It rides fast, straight and smooth. It maneuvers like a cheetah on crack.

Here is the blog site of the builder of this bike, Chauncey Matthews:

https://www.livewirebikes.blogspot.com/

The build of this bike itself can be seen if you go back to the blog post starting on August 19th, 2008.

Thanks for looking!

jponer

You sir deserve a beautiful bike like this. Now go and ride!

GiRARDsays

classy.

misha misha

pretty nice

passerby

all it needs is a brooks saddle

Geordi Laforge

...with springs. champion flyer, for example.

and those wooden fenders by fastboyfenders:

powerband

I do have a Brooks B17 in a warmly worn-in Honey, and it looks great on the Matthews. Bike I switched it back to my Fuji Touring bike, where it serves me better for much longer miles.

solbrothers

why did you get it w/ forward facing dropouts? just wondering. beautiful bike.

oh, one more thing.



is it just me, or on the bottom right side of this brake bracket thing, is it not welded/brazed?

powerband

It's a shadow effect and reflection in the picture. It's welded smoothly.

powerband

Thanks, solbrothers. I chose a forward-facing dropout because I plan to install fenders and this would allow easy removal of the rear wheel without taking off the fender.

solbrothers

aaaaaaaah. thats great dude. very functional

gkelley

That makes much more sense, i was thinking the same thing. That bike sure is pretty, very nice build. Are you going to stick with those look pedals or switch them out to something that can support more around town friendly shoes

powerband

Thanks, gkelley. I mulled over the pedal choice for a few days, but in the end I decided to go with the Look pedals because 1) I have a pair of very well-worn-in Sidi shoes that are comfortable and I would like to continue wearing them for riding, and 2) the Look pedals are big enough for any pair of shoes. In other words, if I'm wearing casual shoes, then I'm probably just doing a lazy ride through town, in which case even flip-flops will work.

jdms mvp

really nice looking bike!

GMERGOD

I like your beautiful bike...

Guvna

I vote powerband #1 in quality posts on bfssfg.

gkelley

Sweet that sounds like it'll do you just fine then, looks do have quite a bit of space on the side you clip into. Go tear that thing up!

brandonspeck

this is an amazing build, the perfect blend of form and function.
The frame has some nice details, like the spade, but it's not gaudy.

great post!

Hagisan

Quality bike in a quality post! Well done!

MIN 

Handsome frame.

fuzz2050

Kicks ass, except I have to ask, are those zip ties? That frame is so gorgeous that you ought to get some nice cable clips, maybe even the fancy campy ones.

MysticRats

Sweet frame!

Tho, the clipless pedals dont go with the style of the bike me thinks.
May I suggest:
https://www.velo-orange.com/petoeclandac.html

And I got this brown saddle for sale/trade! New! Holla!

5h0m3d4m0n3y

Dude that is freaking gorgeous.