Thursday, December 27, 2007

Single speed/fixie












This bike is built with Sachs lugs, crown and a Pacenti bb shell. I designed and built it around standard reach (47-57mm) brakes to accomodate 27mm tires and Honjo fenders. The bike is currently set up as a single speed/fixie with a flip flop hub. You can see there's provisions for gears and derailleurs. The customer wanted to have that option in the future. The crank and hubs are by Paul Components. The bb is Phil. Freewheel is from White Industries. Chris King headset rounds out the collection of US made components. That wasn't really the goal but in the end it was kind of cool. The wheels where handbuilt by me with DT spokes and DT 1.1 rims. I really like how the red accents on the rims decals tie in nicely witht the red cable housing, bar plugs, bar trim tape and seat tube panels. Also the gold and black chain highlights the gold used in the window fills and stenciled on graphics. The stem is fillet brazed and nickel plated.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Rene Singer lugs












This frame and fork are built with Rene Singer lugs (Richard Sachs' latest set) and Pacenti crown and bb shell. The frame and fork are designed around 650b wheels with Grand Bois tires. It's a rando style set up with a custom rack and stem which are at the plater. The bike will have a Goodrich custom tail light. Hence the mount on the back of the seat tube.

Speaking of randonneur bikes, one of mine was recently reviewed in Bicycle Quarterly (BQ). I don't like when people cherry pick only the positive comments in a review but I'm going to use a quote from the review anyway-
"Excellent workmanship, performance and handling combine to make the Goodrich a superior bike that can be ridden any distance, in any weather, over any road surface. Unless you race or carry large loads, it would be hard to find a better bike." You can see a picture of the bike and get a little information about the current issue here-
http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/currentissue.html


To me that's a great review and I'm proud. I build a wide variety of bikes but the randonneur bikes are the most complicated. If you don't subscribe to Bicycle Quarterly you should. Even if you're not into randonneuring or vintage/historical bike stuff BQ is a quality publication and read. If nothing else, it's not like the other bike mags and that's worth something!

Friday, November 23, 2007

Dylan's new bike











Dylan wanted a relatively light, fast and sensible road bike. Sensible in that it's got reliable and not overly expensive parts. Also sensible because the chain stay length, fork length and clearances allow for several tire widths. Currently the bike is built with 23mm Michelins and that's likely all that will live on it but if the owner wishes he has room for fatter tires. The paint is by Bad Boy Bobby Brown. Ever since Whitney gave him the boot, B4 has cleaned up his act and taken up bike painting. The white has a silver pearl and the red is a solid color. The paint scheme has been done so many times but it still looks fresh to me.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Newvex lugs








Built with Newvex lugs from Richard Sachs. Fork crown and bb shell are from Kirk Pacenti. I apologize for the poor lighting in these photos. It was pouring rain outside and I didn't want to wait before boxing this up for paint. Still I think you can see the work. The brake pivots are for Paul centerpulls.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

A mind is a terrible thing



I guess I got carried away with this top lug. Looks good in that over the top sort of way though. I won't do it again. One of a kind.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Friday, September 28, 2007

Silver Pearl










I'm a sucker for pearls. This is a silver pearl over white. I really like it. The Sachs lugs with red highlights really jump without being too much. The front rack is nickel plated. I like how that turned out. The tail light tucks in nicely yet is very visible from behind. The tail light weighs 30 grams.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Identity crisis?











Sachs lugs, crown and bb shell. Well, at least the drop outs aren't Sachs. This is a what I'd describe as a sensible road frame. Light tubing, chain stays aren't too short, proper seat angle, fork bend that starts low and continues to the drop out and a front center that's not too short. The frame and fork are for short reach brakes and there's room for 30mm tire. The customer is only going to run 25mm but there's no harm in have a little extra room. Who knows in ten years he might want 28mm tires?