Custom bike choices..need input
 

So I'm 6'7''...285lbs (for now :rolleyes:)
Getting a custom frame and got an email with some choices from the builder.
Research has not been helpful .
Thought I'd post the email for some feedback....here it is....


"I have been working on your drawing and think I have it pretty much dialled in. I am attaching the layout with 700X35 wheels and fenders and also 29X2.2 wheels no fenders. If you do run the 29X2.2 fenders there won't be room for fenders.
This should be a very sure footed touring machine. If am going to use my oversize "big boy" tubing due to your weight and the size of the frame. It will be 2-3 inches longer than your existing bike depending on stem length. I have made incorporated quite a long headtube to reduce the number of spacers. I will make sure we leave lots of extra room on the steerer tube so we can raise the bar if need be.

Please give the drawings a look over and get back to me with questions.

thanks"


Which would you go for ?

"Which would you go for ?"

Are you asking about choosing between the 700x35 or 29x2.2 wheels?

I'm pretty sure that both 700c and 29" wheels have the same size rims. I think the builder was saying it would take either one, with the 2.2 inch tires being too big for fenders to fit. (I don't know mountain bikes, but it appears that 29er rims tend to be wider than 700c road rims.)

I'd contact him and get more info. If the bike can use either size tires, it would work better with the correct tire for the ride, both on paved roads or on trails/gravel.

Is this a disk brake bike (which simplifies putting wide tires on the bike)? Sounds like a gravel bike?

~~~~~

I have a all-day-ride / gravel road / light touring bike. I'll switch between 25c tires (on wide rims, so these measure 29mm instead of 25mm wide), and knobby gravel road tires, 40c, depending on where I'm going.

Fenders
My 40c tires are a tighter fit with the fenders, so I tend to ride them without fenders, since mud or debris can build up in the space under the fenders, and I normally don't ride really wet trails.
But I usually leave road tires on the bike (not a lot of gravel roads around here), and then the fenders stay on the bike. In fact, I'm heading out this evening, it's 55F and the rain stopped an hour ago, but the roads are soaking wet. I'll be dry!

Rack
Your post mentions "touring machine". I have a lightweight rear rack that stays on the bike, and the builder added the frame mounting "braze-ons". The bike is set up for all-day rides. It's really nice to bring along extra layers, more water, lunch, even a U lock.

Tires
You weigh more than I do. A 2.2 inch tire is 56mm. That sounds great for off road riding, and 35c with a smooth tread would be very nice on paved roads.

Tough if one has to pick between 55 mm tires w/o fenders or 37 mm w/fenders. With a full-custom frame, why not spec enough room for wide tires and fenders? I'm lightweight but even on smoother surfaces I appreciate the added comfort of 50 mm tires (vs previous 37). & who wants chilly Canadian rain getting sprayed onto legs & feet?

not a tough question at all...you DON'T have to choose!

what kind of "custom builder" can't make a frame wide enough to accept fenders?
is he just cut-n-pasting off the rack stuff together?

if laying out heap big wampum on a "custom" frame, why not get the frame YOU
want, and not a frame the builder can kludge together?

big guy with touring gear maybe wants to go off road? how about a frame the
gives you the ability to run 700*50 or 29*3.0.......with fenders.

Blind guessing .. The fork blade length out of the box may only be so long, so radius of tire is limited..

I scored a Long round fork blade for my custom build , from the tandem frame producer supplying
Burly, in the 90's


IDK what the materials resources is for your builder .. You asking for Light weight , that may be the limitation..

I had A Cargo bike builder help me put together My Rock solid touring frame .

to some extent, I was Winging it on design features .. a hands on shop access process,
for the 2 of US.

My wheel 622-40..

Can't they work with an existing Suspension corrected, rigid Fork,? those have pretty long blades



Here is What? No build drawings offered above..




;)

Yes ... disc brakes , Rohloff hub , belt, dynamo .
I guess I should ask the Builder his thinking on the choices..whether it's just to start a dialogue on what I really need.
I just wanted to prepare myself so I don't ask him too many "uninformed" questions.
Yeah ...fenders would be nice...lol...so why can't they be accommodated?...because of the hubs, forks?
He must think the 29'ers are more for me cause I did specify fenders.

I'm going to ask that.:thumb:

is there a stock frame out there somewhere that has all the features
you want, but simply too small?

take that as a base and have your builder make you one proportionally
larger?

I am not quite your height or mass, but still tall with a very long torso. Had a custom steel frame road bike made a few years ago, great bike wish I had made the investment earlier. Wish I had bottle cage mounts raised up from the their normal position, especially on the down tube as it is a long reach to a water bottle.

Try these guys for a bigger heavy fork....
Custom bicycles and custom tandem bikes hand-built by Rodriguez and Erickson in Seattle
You should get a Tandem fork for sure anyway. I got one also for my Sturmey dyno drum brake. Mine was $475 well spent and they re-raked it from 50 to 66 mm. It corners far better than the broken original for my custom heavyweight, different dimentions play some role. I paid extra for 3 mods.
I would also advise you get a 36H ROHLOFF14 for balanced spokes and unbeatable loaded efficiency/ reliability. R+E bikes will make anything, but they favor an EBB, which I won't like.

We just had a story about another huge guy who broke 2 or 3 derailler hubs and 3 or 4 rims, in a 6,000 mile 6 country trip. HERE, post #24/ 26. ... http://www.bikeforums.net/touring/10...ion-gears.html......... After all that he ended up with a Rohloff 4 months ago. Haven't heard how it is doing for him.

My Rohloff with Velocity Dyad rims is going fabulously. I'm not big but my bike was 120 lbs.
I have NO use for eyelet rims. Belt drive may be a bit risky IMO.

Also tell the builder to allow for LONG cranks, 180+. Another reason against deraillers. If I was that tall, I might want a brace from the TT to the DT in front.

PS.. I LOVE this bike frame at R+E. http://www.rodbikes.com/images/gallery/gallery.php
Components not so much. Actually this has an Alfine11 unfortunately, not a Rohloff. It is image 889 of 1006 now, scroll down the page. A large sea-green tour frame.

Co-Motion might have some standard designs that would work for you, too. Many of their touring bikes are built with tandem-spec tubing and forks, have disc brakes, Rohloff options, etc., which would be perfect for your needs, I think.

As I understand the builder's memo, he's saying that the bike he's building you will fit 700 x 35 with fenders, or up to 29 x 2.2" without fenders.

He's not asking you to make a choice; he's making the bike so it fits either combination.


If you do want 29 x 2.2" plus fenders, then I'm sure he could build the bike that way instead.

OK, basics..

14.5" is the radius of a 29" wheel..