Jaegher Cycles - from the land of the "Hardmen"!

[William]

Very nice....:cool:

Link to their site is here in the Custom Framebuilder thread... (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showpost.php?p=1184060&postcount=4)

http://payload212.cargocollective.com/1/13/420765/6548016/Pistier_detail6_jaegher-kaders-207_905.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rXNW8oeMZII/UsIAqP1O04I/AAAAAAAABhg/1Ncd_rMswnM/s1600/Jaegher+-+Belgian+Steel.jpg

[gavingould]

might try to pay them a visit when over in Belgium in a few weeks.

[Tim Porter]

Really great-riding bikes, super folks to deal with--I love mine:

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a583/porterphoto1/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Timothys%20MacBook%20Air/iPhoto%20Library/IMG_3081_zpsdea7a644.jpg

[William]

Really great-riding bikes, super folks to deal with--I love mine:

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a583/porterphoto1/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Timothys%20MacBook%20Air/iPhoto%20Library/IMG_3081_zpsdea7a644.jpg


Very nice Tim! Thank you for sharing. :cool:

How was the process/interaction with Jaegher in getting the build done? What is it that really stands out to you about the aesthetics and/or ride?








William

[William]

might try to pay them a visit when over in Belgium in a few weeks.

Visit report please if you do!





William

[William]

One more for the road......:cool:

[Tim Porter]

Sorry, William, it took me awhile to get a couple things off my plate.

The process with Jaegher wasn't totally seamless, but it was close--I think it was a bit of a dress rehearsal for them to sell a bike into the US. They were incredible to work with as they designed the bike (size-wise), got it built and painted and then hunted down reasonable shipping. Their independent painter clearly had a bad day and painted the first frame they sent him the wrong color, so that added a few weeks to the process as Diel made me a new frame. But for that glitch, which wasn't really the fault of Jaegher, the frame would have been bang on time at about 2 months. One thing to note is that they were not set up to take a credit card--they calculated the price in euros by backing out the VAT and then sent me an invoice. I had my bank wire them euros and note that full payment is made before they make your frame.

For the same price, they will work with you to come up with custom dimensions or you can order a standard size. I did a bit of a hybrid of that by choosing the 57 and having them add a half a centimeter to the head tube. I never really measured, but it appears that they ooched the top tube up a bit to make the proportions nice, which only affected stand over a tiny bit.

For a price point around $2,100 shipped, I got an amazing frame and Columbus Minimal fork. The handling is very neutral tending to a hair slow, which I like 'cause you can just sit up at practically any time in any breeze and go no-handed. It's such a cliche, but it's a bike that you don't think about while you're riding it--it 'disappears'. Very smooth steel ride; quite light.

The aesthetics are pretty cool on this bike. It looks very aggressive--the down tube is massive; the seat stays have a complex taper and the welds are nicely done. The paint job is excellent, but this is not a perfect Joe Bell style paint job (which I think would have added significant $$ to the cost). It has a purposive, European no-nonsense vibe to it with a couple whimsical details, like a little decal by the DT water bottle bosses that says "Never Run Dry".

They can make bikes to fit larger tires, but their standard is clearance for 25mm. On my Campy Neutron Ultras with 25mm Vittoria SCs, it's an amazing ride.

HTH, Tim

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a583/porterphoto1/Photobucket%20Desktop%20-%20Timothys%20MacBook%20Air/iPhoto%20Library/IMG_1907_zps327d2623.jpg

[fourflys]

Do they have one called a "Jaegher Bomb?" ;) Of course, I'm guessing on the pronunciation of Jaegher here… :D

[Scooper]

I like the magenta bike with the Nervex (Newvex?) lugs and chrome plated or stainless head tube, rear triangle, and fork. Yummy! :cool:

[phcollard]

Thanks for adding them to your ever growing list of framebuilders William.

I'm really happy to see fellow Belgians jumping on the bandwagon and for several reasons. First 'cause they're Belgians :D and second because I think only a couple years ago that would have been unconceiveable to have a custom builder making steel frames in Belgium. The market just wasn't there as everybody was riding carbon and dumping their MX Leaders on the side of the road. Seriously. I once was at a BBQ for my uncle's birthday near Liège and many cyclists were attending. When I was telling them I was riding steel frames I was pretty much laughed at. Steel? Steel bikes are boat anchors man, carbon takes you uphill without ever pedalling! Titanium? That's for nostalgic elderlies no less. Where did you say you live and ride again? Canada? Mouaaahh.

Anyways... So I'm happy to see framebuilders from Belgium rising.

There is another one that you may consider adding to your list : http://noblecycles.tumblr.com/

[William]

Thank you Tim for sharing your ride and experience working with Jaegher! Your bike looks awesome and as phcollard said, great to see beautiful work coming out of a place that oozes cycling heritage.

There is another one that you may consider adding to your list...

Great, thank you for pointing me in their direction...adding now!:cool:






William

[Tim Porter]

Thanks, William. Those pics were taken in RI near Newport, btw. . . . Vacation home is there. Let's ride!!! Tim

[William]

Thanks, William. Those pics were taken in RI near Newport, btw. . . . Vacation home is there. Let's ride!!! Tim

Absolutely! Ping me when you will be in town.






William