That Strong feeling .........

[TMB]

My new bike frame arrived by Fedex yesterday, direct from Bozeman, Montana.

Once again Carl Strong and his team hit the ball out of the park. Clear out of the park.

To be clear, I could be described as a “Strong junkie”, this bike is my 4th from the Wizard of Bozeman.

I guess if I have bought 4 bikes from the same builder it says one of two things:

I lack imagination, or
The man builds an amazing bike.

I tend to sway toward #2 as being the reason. The first bike Carl ever built for me was - instantly - RIGHT. I knew the minute I turned the pedals. My view is that when I have found someone who knows my likes and dis-likes; nails my fit and turns out a product I like, I am quite happy to go back to the same well.

On top of it Carl and Loretta are just a pleasure to deal with.

I ran into a bit of a time jam with this one as regards delivery but Loretta just quite calmly seems to be able to command the earth to stop turning while she resolves the issue, and she did.

Tremendous thanks to the whole Strong Frames team; especially to Carl and Loretta.

A steel frame, the custom blend, with Nivachrome steel fork. We discussed this point and I was simply not too thrilled with the idea of a carbon fork being packed in an S&S case. Besides, I’m a pretty traditional sort of fellow and just was happier with the idea of a steel fork. So Carl built me a steel fork.

The bike has a chain hanger, pump peg, rear rack mount points and fender eyelets both front and back.

As pictured the bike has tubular 25’s on it and a 28 will probably fit though I can’t see using them. Certainly I can fit a fender with the 25’s though I would probably have to split it for the front.

Everything on my wish list is here, everything. And if it rides half as well as any of the other Strong bikes I have then it will be a flat out winner and leave me with a big smile on my face.

The first “event” this bike is scheduled for is the Gran Fondo Moab on May 1, so if you are there, and you see the bike - say hi to the fat kid on the nice bike.


Build:
NItto seat post
VO stem
Nitto Noodle bars
VO bottle cages
Brooks Swift saddle and Brooks tape
Mavic SSC brakeset
Record compact square taper crank
Chorus Front and Rear Derailleurs
Wipperman chain
Record 10 Speed shifters
American Classic 11-23 cassette
the wheels are Mavic GL330 rims laced to Dura Ace hubs - 32, 3 cross front and back with Wheelsmith double butted spokes
Schwalbe Stelvo tubulars


http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/S5_0zs6P81I/AAAAAAAACu0/wsnWvQKcQaU/s800/P1010590.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/S5_06s59fDI/AAAAAAAACu8/myNP2KAz93I/s800/P1010591.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/S5_0-nVX2aI/AAAAAAAACvA/9xK8yHJW9P0/s800/P1010592.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/S5_1TQu0r8I/AAAAAAAACvU/QAtpRHcbupA/s800/P1010596.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/S5_1XslzwII/AAAAAAAACvY/fnIAWazty5M/s800/P1010597.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/S5_1hBzyqAI/AAAAAAAACvg/XKkIA7EGJHg/s800/P1010599.JPG


Now to put lots of miles on it.

Thanks to everyone at Team Strong.

[fourflys]

Very nice! I saw a Strong in Gulf Racing colors this last weekend that just blew me away...

Congrats on #4, when's #5? :D

[rpm]

Hey, that's not only out of the ballpark but into the next time zone. I'm jealous. I only have two frames from Carl.

[roguedog]

wow.. must be spring. new bikes popping up everywhere. nice bike.

nice build too. love the red accents in places. tastefully done and well balanced. hope the ride is all you expected. sounds like it'd be impossible for it not to be since this is your 4th strong!

congrats...

[TMB]

Thanks all.

And to answer the question - #5 will be about 24 hours before the divorce petition hits me!!!



:beer:

[johnnymossville]

I really like the look of Strong bikes. Congrats on this beauty!

Not that I'm a weight weenie or anything, but how much weight do S&S couplers add to a frame and do they change the ride quality in any negative way?

[Lincoln]

Very nice! I love mine...thinking about a 2nd helping (ti 29" MTB this time...)

[Tom Byrnes]

Beautiful bike!!

When I start buying bikes again (after I sell a few), I want a Strong.

[zmudshark]

Thought I'd add one more picture. I've seen all four bikes, and they are all amazing, but this one sings to me.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_yN4-Z85dhz0/S5_b2AhM9EI/AAAAAAAADm4/N-hIhzViNo0/s912/P1010589.JPG

[climbgdh]

WOW!!! Awesome looking bike..... especially the Canadian flag on TT :)

Quick question.... what bottle cages are those & where did you get them? Also another silly question but what are you using for handlebar plugs? Looks like cork plugs. I like it and haven't seen that before.

The best looking bike I've seen in a while!!

[dana_e]

Velo Orange

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

[fourflys]

those are good cages, I had those on my Rivendell...

Wine corks are used for bar plugs, I know Riv sells them but if you drink wine you have your own... ;)

[zmudshark]

The plugs came with the Brooks leather tape. They even say 'Brooks' on them.

[climbgdh]

Excellent... Velo-Orange.... should have known. Those are the exact cages I've been looking for. I'm going to order some this evening.

[TMB]

Excellent... Velo-Orange.... should have known. Those are the exact cages I've been looking for. I'm going to order some this evening.


Are you riding Whistler in September???

[Pete Serotta]

Wonderful looking bike and a great "rider" PETE

[TMB]

Thanks for all the comments folks.

I'm really happy with this one.

I took it out this morning for a quick run - about 30 miles.

Just felt fantastic.

I think this will be the new "daily".

Now in the process of wrapping it up tight to survive 1600 miles of roof rack without getting sandblasted on the way home.

I'm sad to see it vanishing under the pipe insulation.

[climbgdh]

Are you riding Whistler in September???

Not sure..... maybe. I'm on the fence with LOTOJA being the highest liklihood right now. If I don't do LOTOJA then I'll definitely being doing the Whistler ride. Unfortunately they are on same weekend.

[rnhood]

I believe that I would put the luggage on top, and the bike inside. Priorities, you know :) .

[zmudshark]

I believe that I would put the luggage on top, and the bike inside. Priorities, you know :) .
Pretty sure the kids and dogs go inside for TMB. He has his priorities in line.

[TMB]

Pretty sure the kids and dogs go inside for TMB. He has his priorities in line.

Yep, reasonably sure that Mrs TMB and the little TMB's would not be willing to ride the roof rack home.

The bike is well wrapped up, should be fine.

ZMud - thanks for all of it. See you in May.

[Keith A]

I have come back to this post several times...this is really a great looking bike. I love the colors and you did a great job with the build!