Black Cat-1st Ride.....

[PeregrineA1]

Rode some familiar double track in Crystal Cove SP (Orange County, CA) for 1100’ of climbing over 9 miles.

The handling is spot on. Dealt with sand, wheel ruts, erosion with and across the grain nicely. The 6” deep 4” wide in 12” Center cross grain required significant looseness on the bars. Climbing was excellent. Didn’t try any carving corners, but the sweepers were great.

Gearing is good. Shifts were crisp. 36/36 worked well at my fitness level (regular slow old guy....).https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190405/85fea20d743da28d0f61a8334a480442.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190405/821d480afb3a39a000873aa97285b3e6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190405/18100338babcb937174833bfb83bb5c2.jpg

Got hoops for the road from Ride Fast Racing last night. 700c x 40 will be for the road biased rides. Not sure on tires-Open to suggestions.


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[skiezo]

That is a sweet looking rig you have there. MORE Details about the build please.
You west coast guys have some great gravel riding form all that I see on here and other places.

[54ny77]

sweeet!

there's a couple of us fellow nearby paceliners, we should go for a leisurely spin one weekend. my favorite is a back bay loop. mellow 35 miles or so.

[cardcatalog]

That looks amazing.

Apologies if you’ve posted elsewhere (I’m new), but... that looks like a huge tire. How did you get that to fit and have a front derailleur?

[andeww]

Wow! That is sweet

[PeregrineA1]

I cannot take credit for anything but falling in love at NAHBS.

To make it all work-two chain rings, fat tires, and short chain stays-Todd at Black Cat used boost width hubs and BB, machined a spider to get the chain line correct on the White Industries 46/36 crank with SRAM rings. Wheels are 650B Santa Cruz Reserve/Chris King with 2.35 tires. I don’t have the geometry chart. 11/36 Shimano cassette and Ultegra RD and FD. 160 mm rotors......and many details.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190405/b192d10c2ed4313537ae46bb788168f6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190405/d786aa1e581b7bad6ae7b01555fc6540.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190405/530c1f2604dfc8142b9b50d776750d13.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190405/d40d573275b071f70bdfb174fbc00932.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190405/8e08f09f287f69335923e9c7ed7406b8.jpg


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[PeregrineA1]

sweeet!



there's a couple of us fellow nearby paceliners, we should go for a leisurely spin one weekend. my favorite is a back bay loop. mellow 35 miles or so.



I’m always up for a ride. Our back bay loop is about 35 as well, using Mountains to Sea. Another favorite.


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[cardcatalog]

Boost! That’s so cool. Gosh, I love that paint.

What’s the Q factor like?

[one60]

https://theradavist.com/2019/03/nahbs-2019-boosted-black-cat-all-road-most-practical-innovation-award/#1


Been following this builder for years...always impressed with his creations!

[hokoman]

Execution on the ft. der is trick. What ft. der is that? An Ultegra?

[PeregrineA1]

Execution on the ft. der is trick. What ft. der is that? An Ultegra?



Yes, FD is Ultegra.


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[XXtwindad]

I'm sorry I missed that at NAHBS. Truly innovative, justly deserving of the award. Do you know what's the smallest tire you can run without affecting the geo? Any plans on using a larger cassette?

When I was contemplating a monstercross build, I thought about running these (essentially a 29X2.0 road tread):

https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop/components/tires/700c/compass-700c-x-55-antelope-hill-tc/

I know that Schwalbe makes the "G-One Speed" in a 29x2.0 as well.

Congrats again on the bike. You're probably a couple years ahead of the trend...

[v531xc]

I love this bike. Straight up badass and awesome. Post more pics!

[Jaybee]

Beautiful machine.

Do you have actual measurements on the tires? I only ask because the 29x2.35 Ikon is well known for expanding to 2.5ish after a couple rides.

[azrider]

Dude.....that just looks......................fun!:banana:

[fellowsun]

Saw pics on the Radavist and it made me drool. Good to see it out n about.

Tires.. I have Compass 700x38 that inflate to just over 700x40. Was also looking at Schwalbe G-One.

[Stan Lee]

Great looking bike! Todd sounds like a great builder from everyone I've talked to.

[d_douglas]

That is amazing. Before I shelved my dream bike dream (temporarily) Black Cat was a front runner - so many details that are marks of an obsessive framebuilder :)

This was basically what I was proposing to him and he said, “yep, I can build that - get in line” - so this bike is a precedent for mine (should it ever come to fruition).

Love it!

[PeregrineA1]

I'm sorry I missed that at NAHBS. Truly innovative, justly deserving of the award. Do you know what's the smallest tire you can run without affecting the geo? Any plans on using a larger cassette?

When I was contemplating a monstercross build, I thought about running these (essentially a 29X2.0 road tread):

https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop/components/tires/700c/compass-700c-x-55-antelope-hill-tc/

I know that Schwalbe makes the "G-One Speed" in a 29x2.0 as well.

Congrats again on the bike. You're probably a couple years ahead of the trend...

According to Todd a 700C x 40 gives the same geometry.

[d_douglas]

Just looking at the Radavist article and two things are apparent:

1) that is SUCH an amazing bike. Every last detail on this is amazing.
2) damn, I need to visit you for a weekend, because that looks my size!

You are so lucky. I hate to think of the cost on this thing, but that is secondary to the joy you will get from it ! :banana:

[Climb01742]

And that color looks so cool. What’s it like in person? More red? More orange? More...? Whatever the shade...yay!

[charliedid]

Nice Ride

[Vonruden]

Wow, amazing.

:banana:

[donevwil]

Sweet bike, admired it at NAHBS. Steve Potts sent me over specifically to check it out.

Sweet pics as well, did my first and last endo at Crystal Cove. '92 I think.

[weaponsgrade]

I was eyeing that at NAHBS. Love it.

[PeregrineA1]

And that color looks so cool. What’s it like in person? More red? More orange? More...? Whatever the shade...yay!



Technically it’s red. It does have an orange cast to it.


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[d_douglas]

Plus, the riding there looks amazing!

[jambee]

We need more pictures. That bike is just too nice!

How does it ride? How heavy is it?

[crownjewelwl]

that rig is SUPERB

[denapista]

that rig is SUPERB

Blackcat is taking deposits on a run of that exact bike.. Checks a number of boxes for me, except for one...

https://www.blackcatbicycles.com/current-edition

[adampaiva]

oh wow. I LOVED this bike when I saw it on Radavist. It was inspiration for my new custom and I sent it to Paul as I want something along these lines. Didn't do 148 and I built up with flat bars (groovy luv bars I was just itching to build a bike around).
Had I realized this was owned by someone here I definitely would have wanted to chat during my design process. Turned out pretty well though.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49740204781_b1884d0613_c.jpg

anyways. Realllly cool bike. Black Cat seems like heck of a builder.

[sashae]

Yeah, that bike rules. I am genuinely envious (and the same size.) Beautiful.

[jeffkoller91]

It was inspiration for my new custom and I sent it to Paul as I want something along these lines.

Would love to see more photos/a review of how this turned out. Looks awesome!

[William]

When you say Black Cat, the first thing that pops into my mind is...

http://cf.collectorsweekly.com/stories/d2GiMAXOCpRO23Xc2RvLJw.jpg




I had a lot of fun with those as a crazy teen and I could have a lot of fun on a ride like that. Very nice!!!:cool:





W.