Tournesol Leger 7005

[hampco]

Ok, new bike for me, much anticipated. Here’s the scoop:

Co-Motion welded Easton 7005 aluminum, this is a similar bike to the Classic MAX shown on my website AND to Douglas’ new Silver Ghost 953. Designed for 35mm Honjo fenders with 23-26mm tires, or up to 30mm tires w/o fenders, we’re using the Alpha Q CS25 fork for long-reach calipers. I went with SRAM Red ‘cause I deserve it goshdarnit, DT Swiss Mont Chasseral wheelage, Vittoria Pave tires.

The paint we’re calling “Creamy Beige”, the seatpost is by Kent E, and the leather tape is by Toshi from Jitensha - this is the best stuff I’ve ever used. Saddle is the Last Leather Aliante - that was a fun project. Maybe we’ll do more if the interest is there.

Co-Motion was great to work with, as always, and the fit is perfect. It tracks like it’s on rails, takes corners like a hooker on payday, and it’s stiffer than a - you get the idea. I like it - and we can can do a great custom frame/fork for under $2K

Why aluminum? The bastard stepchild of the framebuilding world, right? Harsh, cheap, ugly toothpaste welds, right? No. To generalize: the ride quality is slightly stiffer than that of a steel frame, certainly stiffer than titanium over the big hits, and it doesn’t have the muting quality of carbon. However, we curve the seatstays and use not-grossly-oversized tubing so the frame itself soaks up a fair amount of shock, helped by the hand-built wheels and widish tires. The geometry is a tad longer/lower/more laid back than most race bikes so the design helps with the comfort. There is no noticeable flex when standing to sprint or climb, it’s a couple of pounds lighter than my steel or ti bikes (16.5# or so as shown), and it looks great. I like the welds: that’s how aluminum welds SHOULD look if they haven’t been ground or bondoed as aluminum TIG-welds differently than steel, which welds differently than titanium.

I guess a good frame has an ineffable something that transcends its material choice - it simply WORKS. This one is a keeper.

[davids]

Another wonderful bike, Steve. I needs me a fender bike, and you keep throwing out option after option after option...

It's pretty, too. Love the colors.

[justinf]

Rocks. Again. You guys are killing it, from the first carbon leger to the Silver Ghost and now this one. Digging the fatass welds especially, and the color is choice.

[whumpf]

Definitely in the French cyclotouring tradition. A+

[HUNTER1]

Having spent time on a Co-Mo Ristretto I can definitely attest to the fact that there is nothing wrong with properly built alu.. Not a harsh ride in the least. Although that bike had a particularly laid back as-per Dwan kind of ride to it it could still get up and go just fine. Your rig appears to be a rather classy take on the same, and I really like the extra tire clearance you design in, it seems that many of the alu. offerings with a notion of room for extra clearance in the wheel-wells are cheap cross rigs so kudos to you for the risk taking ther as well!

[cs124]

Great looking bike, well done.

Register 1 more interest if you do another run of brown saddles, although I'd prefer an Arione.

...I like the welds: that’s how aluminum welds SHOULD look if they haven’t been ground or bondoed as aluminum TIG-welds differently than steel, which welds differently than titanium.
...

Exactly! A well executed Al TIG weld looks like a fat (and rather cute) caterpillar.

[DarrenCT]

awesome rig. thats a steal for a custom rig atmo

eh i want that leather aliante hampco

[GrantM]

very hot bike Steve!
similar in many ways to my own incoming Kirk.

I've often wondered why more bikes like this aren't popular.
Cannondale made a "sport road" model this year with many of the
same ideas. Our shop didn't really sell it too well, and next year
Cannondale has dropped it from the line. Bummer. Someday
people will get it. In the meantime, sing it sister!

-g

[Blue Jays]

Remember how we're seeking to nail a creamish/beigeish/ivoryish color for my "winter fendered racebike" Tournesol in the works? This one is pretty darn close to the vision. SWEET!

[Too Tall]

You really nail the fenders every time don't you? :)
Is there an insert in the seattube to get it back to 27.2?
Super colors big guy, that rocks.

[Watoni]

Awesome!

My Al bike is probably as comfortable as any bike I own, Hampsten/Parlee included, so don't believe the hype ...

Well done, sir

[dbrk]

Awesome!
My Al bike is probably as comfortable as any bike I own, Hampsten/Parlee included, so don't believe the hype ...Well done, sir

Materials are only one feature of overall design. This bike's design won't slow you down but it will keep you comfortable and drier than you would be in the rain. I think even the most dedicated racer would love the way this bike rides. (When Christian Van de Velde goes home he rides a Mariposa not unlike this bike, albeit in steel.) As much as I love the most traditional looking bikes, I also love smart innovation. This one's really smart and it's given up no charm in the process. Nicely done, Steve. The Fujitoshi leather wrap with the saddle make the accent just right.

[climb01742]

the ideal winter bike. well done.

[Bike Rider]

Love the color combo's. Aluminum is the new Carbon Fiber!

I do prefer ground welds like Cdale does. Same way a prefer the seamless look of brazed steel. Would CoMo make them smooth if requested?

[maunahaole]

First - nice ride!

Question - how are you getting the big tire clearance between the chainstays? My assumption is that Alu stays are pretty fat and generally are lacking in space there - are you going smaller or longer there in the interest of comfort?

[hampco]

Thanks, y'all.

TT - the ST is shimmed from 29.6(?) to 27.2

To do a ground weld as on a Cannondale, you first must start with a large multi-pass weld then grind furiously. I don't see Co-Mo being interested in the process nor the look.

This beige, along with IFs slightly darker "67 Landcruiser", are the official beiges of Tournesol 2009. Co-Mo built one other Tournesol for us in fillet-brazed steel using the same color - stunning.

We use a tall/skinny chainstay from Fairing which gives us plenny o' clearance for tires and fenders. The chainstay bridge even has a fender eyelet...

[cny rider]

All right, there's too many smart guys and gals here.
You need someone to ask the stupid question so here goes:

I rode a bonded aluminum Trek for 14 years.
I thought it looked pretty "neat".
I now don't see anyone bonding aluminum tubes any more.
What's up?

[three chord wonder]

To do a ground weld as on a Cannondale, you first must start with a large multi-pass weld then grind furiously. I don't see Co-Mo being interested in the process nor the look.

Bummer. I love the smooth joins/ground welds on my Cannondale crossbike and don't understand what the drawback would be? Tiny bit of weight? Extra work?

PS Tournesol looks v. nice, I can see a Hampsten being on my list for a fendered bike.

[Pete Mckeon]

Steve, you are giving me sleepless nights!!! First the ANDY bike two years ago at the camp, then this year at the camp the wonderful orange/red one, and now this one......

If this keep up I am going to have to add to my one bike policy and have a HAMPCO. That bike looks wonderful!!!


PETE

[hampco]

Thanks, Pete - you have enough bikes, right? But if you need one more we can talk.

Ya know, with all this talk of Richard closing his order book, I'm thinking I might get a Sachs. But I really want it to be built with Henry James lugs - think he'll be ok with that? Meaning: as a welder, I like to see the welds on the bikes that bear my family name and that won't change any time soon.

( As a footnote, we used to bondo over the welds on our steel bikes because I liked the look and my painter was willing. That's done.)

Bonding aluminum? I'm guessing that ultimately it's more time-and-cost-effective to weld the tubes together. We could glue steel or titanium frames together - and it's been done - but it's more work and it's no stronger than a weld. Bonded alloy frames were popular when lugged steel frames were the norm but once welded steel and aluminum mountain bike frames came along it just made sense to apply the same technology to road frames.

Historic footnote: my boss at match bicycle company - Tim Isaac - tells a story of his days as Production Manager at Diamondback. He was in a meeting with the other muckety-mucks and the topic was that the lugs for the road frames were delayed and whatarewegonnadoaboutit? Tim's suggestion was why not simply weld the road frames the way they did the MTB frames? He immediately regretted what he said but it was too late, and the rest is history.