Scientist, how's the new Black Mountain Cycles road bike?

[dcama5]

Scientist, (I don't know your first name)

If I remember right, about a month ago in some thread, you said that you were getting a Black Mountain Cycles road bike. So, how is it? Do we get to see any pictures? Steel right?

[fourflys]

I can tell you I really like mine, just had it out this morning...

[AngryScientist]

this bike has to be one the best values in bike frames out there right now. i really like mine. it's a perfect "all day" bike, geometry to put in big miles comfortably. i've been riding it more than anything else i own lately. did d2r2 on it a few weeks ago, took a cycling trip to the finger lakes with it too. here it is shod with 28c compass tires on a set of handbuilt wheels. rides like a dream. i have a ton more pictures from d2 that i still need to upload. thanks for asking.

Nick

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JEZaAnd1MaM/VbYilfv_wJI/AAAAAAAACM0/EZSu0HELp-0/s1100/photo.JPG

[dcama5]

Nick,
Thanks for the picture and the description. I have been intrigued by these since you mentioned yours. I have an aluminum Zanconato coming in about a month which will put me at three road/gravel bikes. That's more than I have ever owned and probably enough for me. I may own a Black Mountain someday though. Yours looks great, nice color too.

[dcama5]

I can tell you I really like mine, just had it out this morning...

fourflys,
You are fairly close to us. We are in Winchester. How long have you had your Black Mountain? You are close to Richmond, are you going to the World championships?

[commonguy001]

I have probably 3000 miles on mine and it's a fine frameset for the money. I've used both the stock fork and a co-motion long reach carbon and it's really good with both.
I replaced a surly pacer frameset with this and like it more (and I like surly bikes).

Overall a decent value for sure. Lots of clearance and very neutral.

[fourflys]

fourflys,
You are fairly close to us. We are in Winchester. How long have you had your Black Mountain? You are close to Richmond, are you going to the World championships?

I'm in Hampton Roads... not sure on the Champs as it depends on work to be honest.

I've had my Black Mtn for about a year but just started riding it when I moved here this summer. I do have the Black Mtn Monster Cross that I rode a bit more when I was in Alaska and that is a fantastic bike as well. Both bikes are very similar, just the Cross can accommodate MUCH larger tire (up to 43mm).

Both of these are the 56cm BTW

Chris

https://threeflys.smugmug.com/Sports/Cycling/i-wcHGxsw/0/L/P1010890-L.jpg

https://threeflys.smugmug.com/Sports/Cycling/i-P6gXnh7/0/L/BMC3-L.jpg

[dcama5]

I'm in Hampton Roads... not sure on the Champs as it depends on work to be honest.

I've had my Black Mtn for about a year but just started riding it when I moved here this summer. I do have the Black Mtn Monster Cross that I rode a bit more when I was in Alaska and that is a fantastic bike as well. Both bikes are very similar, just the Cross can accommodate MUCH larger tire (up to 43mm).

Both of these are the 56cm BTW

Chris

https://threeflys.smugmug.com/Sports/Cycling/i-wcHGxsw/0/L/P1010890-L.jpg

https://threeflys.smugmug.com/Sports/Cycling/i-P6gXnh7/0/L/BMC3-L.jpg

Nice!!

[jasonification]

geez these are some good looking bikes...

[Ciavete]

geez these are some good looking bikes...

Sure are, and at amazingly affordable prices.

Shop owner looks to be a master wheel builder as well.

[fourflys]

Sure are, and at amazingly affordable prices.

Shop owner looks to be a master wheel builder as well.

Mike has been in the business for many years... if anyone remembers the Haro Mary single speed mtn bike, I believe Mike designed the first one. Also, he worked with Masi when it was in SoCal if I remember right.

All one needs to do is walk into http://www.blackmtncycles.com to realize this is a real, old school bike shop where the man behind the counter knows a thing or two about bikes and not just how to adjust a headset... Mike designed these bikes and has a small frame shop overseas weld them up. I can tell you when there was a issue with the run of frames my came out of, Mike made it right. I didn't have any issues with mine (only a couple frames actually had an issue I think), but Mike contacted me and insisted he make it right by replacing my frame. I can't imagine better customer service than Mike Varley.

If you want a well riding steel bike, it's going to be hard to beat a Black Mountain. And I say that regardless of price. There are certainly fancier steel bikes, but I can say with some confidence I wouldn't be able to tell a difference in the ride. Maybe others can, but I can't.

Just do it! (if you want to ride one and are over in Hampton Roads, the offer is open) :banana:

[RFC]

Just for good measure. I very nice frame that reminds me of my old RB-1.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0187r_zps6879ea17.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0187r_zps6879ea17.jpg.html)

[fishwhisperer]

i love my monstercross. touring, trails, single track, commuting, super versatile and a steal for what they cost. perfect bike for taking the long way home from work.

i could easily see myself getting a road frame at some point, especially if mike teams up with cam falconer again for a MUSA version...

[etu]

Love my monster cross. Mike Varley, the designer and owner of the Black Mtn Shop is a really great guy.
Couple of features that I think that make BMC's such nice riding bikes are the thin, relatively compliant tubing and narrow Q-factor for road cranks despite clearances for very large tires. It's a neat combination. Don't know whether these are incorporated in the design of other options out there.

[MagicHour]

Just put a deposit down for the next batch of BMC road frames. Good to hear I was kinda reminded of Bridgestone from Mike's designs and blog content, nice guy and was super helpful in picking a size. Really looking forward to building one of these up in the new year. Doing some research on parts and build ideas now and stumbled across this thread.

Just for good measure. I very nice frame that reminds me of my old RB-1.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0187r_zps6879ea17.jpg (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/RCopple/media/IMG_0187r_zps6879ea17.jpg.html)

[mg2ride]

this bike has to be one the best values in bike frames out there right now.

WOW! Just looked at the website. $595 for frame and fork. Even the made in USA frames for $1700 are a good deal.

[AngryScientist]

yea man, these bikes are great!

definitely not a "race" bike, but pretty good at everything. i plan to ride mine this weekend!

[texbike]

WOW! Just looked at the website. $595 for frame and fork. Even the made in USA frames for $1700 are a good deal.

According to the website, the 2016 Road version will be painted in an orange/blue Molteni scheme and have a flat crown fork. Interesting.... :)

Texbike

[MagicHour]

Yeah, plan on building up a BMC primarily for riding up in the Catskills, where my GF and I spend a bit of time during the year. Wanted a second "less racy" bike to run 700x28s or larger; SPDs (for walking) and a smaller 34x32 climbing gear, and steel (just because). Hopefully this will take me off the beaten path once in awhile.

Was originally gonna build a Soma Smoothie or ES; which seem great too, but saw another run of BMCs coming out, and decided that's what I wanted. Ticks all the boxes above, fit, Bridgestone vibe, and the new Molteni color way doesn't hurt, either! Supposed to ship sometime around February.



yea man, these bikes are great!

definitely not a "race" bike, but pretty good at everything. i plan to ride mine this weekend!

According to the website, the 2016 Road version will be painted in an orange/blue Molteni scheme and have a flat crown fork. Interesting.... :)

Texbike