Custom aluminum build project #2

[54ny77]

This VSalon and all you folks with fine fendered bikes...it's infectious.

So....

We will be calling this one my winter/bad weather GT bike. Like a GT car, it's designed to be fast, but in comfort & style.

Been working with Joe at Tsunami on specs and design parameters, and it will be similar to my other aluminum bike he put together, albeit with a few twists in order to accommodate full fenders.

I'm enamored with what he built for me previously (http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...ead.php?t=6796), it fits like a glove and rides wonderfully, and for the frame price (plus cost of fork--we went with an Alpha Q CS25), it's an amazing value.

Fenders will be those gorgeous Honjo hammered objects, and brakes will be Velo Orange Grand Cru long reach calipers. For the brakes, I liked the idea of something unique, and the Grand Cru's unanodized aluminum/machined look will give me the chance to occasionally sit back, drink a lot of beer, and cramp my fingers and curse while polishing them to a near-chrome luster. Dremel buffing wheels and xtra tubes of Simichrome have already been ordered.

Frame color will be black, with white decals. Material is 7005 alu. Other build kit specs will be evolving in the next few weeks or so.

Here's a couple of pics of the frame in its early stages. Enjoy...

[hampco]

fender eyelets on the rear end?

modified sheldon nut for the fork?

35mm fenders, right?

so many questions... so many details

[54ny77]

yes, yes & yes!

i'd ask joe to pitch in here with some addt'l details, but i don't want to distract him from finishing the build...

and steve--i really appreciate your answering my other questions. you're a gentleman and a scholar. someday i'll have a hampco bike in my stable to covet.

it's kinda funny to look back at one of my earliest posts as a new member regarding frame materials for a (then) potentially new bike. http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...ead.php?t=6450

after years of just riding the heck out of whatever i had, it's fun to get involved and learn a bit more in the overall process.

fender eyelets on the rear end?

modified sheldon nut for the fork?

35mm fenders, right?

so many questions... so many details

[suspectdevice]

I have a frame almost exactly like that* open in Solidworks!

RAD

*we are making our own fenders for it though. I can't decide if the added expense of desiging it around Paul Racers is a good idea for what is supposed to be a value priced aluminum training bike though.

[Scott G.]

I can't decide if the added expense of desiging it around Paul Racers is a good idea for what is supposed to be a value priced aluminum training bike though.

The Tektro R-538 is a good alternative.
http://www.rivbike.com/products/show...outh-57/15-150

[bellman]

The Tektro R-538 is a good alternative.
http://www.rivbike.com/products/show...outh-57/15-150

Nice find, thanks, "click here to embiggen". Now that made my day!

[david]

this is a great idea.
i think my next bike will be something just like this.
maybe a co-motion built hampsten, set up like darren's.
no excuses, just ride.
love to see what mickey cooks up.
keep us in the loop as you build it up.

[boots2000]

I have a steel Landshark built in this exact fashion.
It is my favorite bike come winter.
Dedaccai steel
Wound-up fork 11/8 for long reach brakes
35mm Planet Bike Cascadia Freddy Fenders with Sheldon bolts.
It is four years old and now and again I think about replacing it with something new and spiffy like an aluminum frame or even the carbon rain shark a'la Levi- but it won't wear out!

[54ny77]

love it. i should have that done up in a decal, stick it on the top tube as a reminder in case i start slacking off...

thanks for the kind words, folks.

hopefully things will be done in about a month.

can't wait!

"click here to embiggen"

[vqdriver]

what's a sheldon bolt?

[54ny77]

it's a doohickey for the thingamajig.

or:

http://www.velo-orange.com/shfenu.html

i love these unique terms for this type of build:

"sheldon nut"

"honjo"

"daruma bolt"

sounds like yoga positions.

what's a sheldon bolt?

[hampco]

sheldon nut, after the late, great, sheldon brown

[palincss]

I have a frame almost exactly like that* open in Solidworks!

RAD

*we are making our own fenders for it though. I can't decide if the added expense of desiging it around Paul Racers is a good idea for what is supposed to be a value priced aluminum training bike though.

Considering what some people are paying for brakes these days, the Paul Racers are cheap by comparison.

[vqdriver]

cool, thanks.

i've just been mounting that tab between the brake and the hole in place of that washer.

[John M]

cool, thanks.

i've just been mounting that tab between the brake and the hole in place of that washer.

The Sheldon nut is way better if you ever want to remove the fender (useful for cleaning, some maintenance, or if one wants to ride the bike fender-free). It can be removed in a minute without affecting brake adjustment.

[RFD]

I have a frame almost exactly like that* open in Solidworks!

RAD

*we are making our own fenders for it though. I can't decide if the added expense of desiging it around Paul Racers is a good idea for what is supposed to be a value priced aluminum training bike though.

we need to talk sir.

[suspectdevice]

we need to talk sir.

Send me yr numbers kid.

[54ny77]

most recent pics are in.

it's coming along nicely.

[54ny77]

updated pics...

fenders and sample brake just sitting in place as a guide to see what things look like.

should have innovative way to mount rear fender...that'll be a neat surprise shown later...

those honjo fenders...gorgeous!

[damcyclist]

Curious ... Is a 35mm fender the largest that will fit with the Alpha or with the grand Cru?

Great build - I hope to get something similar when I grow up

yes, yes & yes!

i'd ask joe to pitch in here with some addt'l details, but i don't want to distract him from finishing the build...

and steve--i really appreciate your answering my other questions. you're a gentleman and a scholar. someday i'll have a hampco bike in my stable to covet.

it's kinda funny to look back at one of my earliest posts as a new member regarding frame materials for a (then) potentially new bike. http://www.velocipedesalon.com/forum...ead.php?t=6450

after years of just riding the heck out of whatever i had, it's fun to get involved and learn a bit more in the overall process.