Ellis 650b DRB (right place)

[SamIAm]

I know I am technically too tall for a 650b, but I have wanted one for a while, in large part for the tire choices available.

I have a place in the mountains surrounded by wonderful and steep dirt/gravel roads and single track. I wanted a bike well suited to riding in those environs.

So I had Dave build me this 650b dirt road bike. Mini v-brakes, clearance for really fat tires, fender braze-ons (why not) and I had it powdercoated in lieu of wet paint.

Chorus 11 speed, compact crank, 11-28 cassette. Wheels are synergy rims with alchemy hubs built by Ergott. Finished off with Handlebra of course.

I just got back from a week of riding this out in Boulder and I couldn't be happier. It did everything well from climbing to descending to gravel to single track. I took a variety of tires with me, some 42 Hetres, 38 Pari-motos and some 32 Maxi-Fastys from Rivendell.

I didn't really care for the Hetres, there was a noticeable side to side displacement that I attributed to the tread on these. I bet if they were shaved, it would make a big difference. The Pari-motos were awesome, if a bit fragile. Their performance was unmatched in this group. The Maxi-Fastys don't really feel that "fast" or supple like the Pari-motos.

Anyway, a pic.

http://i51.tinypic.com/1z35jwi.jpg

[christian]

Nice. Looks fast. Nothing historical re-enactment about that.

[sg8357]

Double oversize tubes ?
What size is it ?

Very cool, fat tire road bike.

[SamIAm]

Double oversize tubes ?
What size is it ?

Very cool, fat tire road bike.

Yep, double OS tubes with slant six lugs.

[jr59]

Looks GREAT! :beer:

And looks like it would fit me... where is it you live at? :D

[Frankwurst]

Great looking bike. It screams "lets go have some fun." :beer:

[Jawn P]

Looks great, Rob. There are some jeep roads in Ellijay that are calling for that bike :-)

[HenryA]

VERY nice!

[witcombusa]

I think it needs a trip up to New England for a little loop in northwestern MA and southern VT we call...

D2R2

Old Deerfield is calling :banana:

http://www.franklinlandtrust.org/d2r2_cue_sheets.htm

[bigflax925]

That's a beauty! Which mini-v's are you running?

[acckids]

I'd like a closeup of the fork crown/headset juncture. I like.

[Pete Serotta]

this is fine here....if you want it moved somewhere I will do whatever you want.

With the words you placed around it, this is a wonderful place for it.

Additionally it helps share knowledge of what happiness we can have, as well as information about an excellent builder and artist.

Thanks.......

Pete

[SamIAm]

That's a beauty! Which mini-v's are you running?

TRP

[SamIAm]

I'd like a closeup of the fork crown/headset juncture. I like.

I will get you something, I think the crown itself is a Pacenti Paris Brest

[Kirk Pacenti]

Great looking bike Rob. I have been wanting to build one for myself...

Glad you like the performance of the Pari-Moto too. They are more "fragile" than the other tires you mentioned, but as you've pointed out they are all about performance; fast and light.

Cheers,

KP

[rwsaunders]

As they say....that's a very proper bike...nicely done.

[thwart]

Beautiful, Rob. A 650B bike I could see myself riding... well, if I grew 3 or 4 inches...

[93legendti]

Nice!

[Wilkinson4]

Sweet. What pressure were you running on the Herte's? I love them on my Toei and run 55psi.

m

[SamIAm]

Sweet. What pressure were you running on the Herte's? I love them on my Toei and run 55psi.

m

65-70

[palincss]

65-70 with Hetres would be fine if you weighed >230 lb. Far too much if you are < 200. I'm around 197 today, and run mine at 50.

[SamIAm]

65-70 with Hetres would be fine if you weighed >230 lb. Far too much if you are < 200. I'm around 197 today, and run mine at 50.

Unfortunately that remark resembles me :) , but I am working on it.

[Dave Wages]

Looks good Rob, glad to hear that everything went well on your trip! Hope to see you and Sydney at D2R2 later this month! ;)

Cheers,
Dave

[pdbrye]

Hey Rob, cool bike! Just curious, was that gearing low enough for Boulder and the D2R2 type riding you are using it for?

[SamIAm]

Hey Rob, cool bike! Just curious, was that gearing low enough for Boulder and the D2R2 type riding you are using it for?

Can't speak to D2R2, but I went up several 20+% grades and it was just perfect. Spun right up them while my counterparts resorted to zig zag or walking.

[bigman]

That is awesome.

[witcombusa]

Hey Rob, cool bike! Just curious, was that gearing low enough for Boulder and the D2R2 type riding you are using it for?

For those of us whose parents didn't check the turbo diesel option on the build list, I find a 1 to 1 low gear required for some of the stuff I ride in CO. Roads like Magnolia, Lick Skillet etc you might want even lower. I run a 34/46 up front with a 9sd 13-34.

For D2R2 I need even lower gears. The unending dirt climbs wear you down over the day. For this a 28/45 with a 7sp 13-32 is my drivetrain of choice.

As Frank Berto would say...."gears to you"

[Ahneida Ride]

I'll have the wrap on another fine classic Ellis at the Heartland show.

Stop by the HB booth ... :beer:

[sherok]

That is a nice practical ride. I love Dave Wage's work. I think this might be my favorite bike that you own.

Sheila

[ergott]

That looks even better built up!

Gorgeous.

:beer:

[SamIAm]

Took this baby out for some mixed surface riding this weekend. I put the Hetres back on and reduced the PSI to 50.

That combo worked very nice on the offroad sections. First off I didn't have to really pick my line which made riding down hills a lot more fun. Also having a rear brake that actually has some stopping power allowed me to trim off speed on fast descents without compromising front end traction.

Probably the first time I have hit 40-45 mph off road and it felt solid.

[Dave Wages]

Probably the first time I have hit 40-45 mph off road and it felt solid.

Awesome, you're definitely ready for D2R2! ;)

Dave

[palincss]

Hitting 40 and above on gravel, you're a braver man than me, SamIAm!

However, I vividly recall my first dirt road ride on Hetres, up near Snake Hill Rd. outside Middleburg VA. I'd been there a few weeks before with Col de la Vies, and felt as though I was out on the raggedy edges of my comfort zone going down at 13-14 mph. A few weeks later with Hetres I was coming down that same hill over 25 thinking how very secure I felt, and the sense of shock when I saw how fast I was going.

Just don't try to stop quickly in that situation.

[Kirk Pacenti]

First off I didn't have to really pick my line which made riding down hills a lot more fun. Also having a rear brake that actually has some stopping power allowed me to trim off speed on fast descents without compromising front end traction.

Probably the first time I have hit 40-45 mph off road and it felt solid.

You have no idea how close to the dark side you are, do you?... ;)

5" of 650b bliss right here!

Cheers,

KP

[drock]

Sweet!

[Frankwurst]

650b stuff is all good fun eh Rob? :beer:

[Scott Shire]

That is one sweet bike. I can't remember ever seeing a D. Wages bike that didn't make me drool.

Of course, the blue 953 is my all time favorite. Or maybe the yellow 29er. Or that red and stainless jaw-dropper from a couple years back. Of course, that rando bike from Nahbs 2011 was pretty sweet too... :D

[bigman]

You need to post pics in the image gallery.
Saw my first Ellis at a shop in NYC, it was stunning.

[Minstrie]

but NICE. SamIam, you can ignore my PM trying to track this thread down, obviously found it. Also, but, but, ... when's the Weigle due? And, forget the Mondonico offer, it's too small for you.

Minstrie.

[roydyates]

I'm not sure if I envy the bike or the week of riding in Boulder more. :)

As for the Pari-Motos, I'm a bit puzzled. Even Kirk is saying they're fragile, but compared to what? Are they really more fragile than a typical 23-25mm sub250g road clincher? So far, I'm up to 700 road miles on my Pari-Motos, and they still look pretty much like new.

[goonster]

Even Kirk is saying they're fragile, but compared to what?
Every single other 650b tire.

But the ride really is sublime. I'm glad they are available, and I will continue to ride them.

[Kirk Pacenti]

Every single other 650b tire.


Yeah, that's what I mean. The Pari-Moto is comparable to many other high-end racing tires.

Most other 650b tires available today are overbuilt and quite heavy in my opinion. Not to say they aren't good tires, just heavier than they need to be.

Some people do appreciate those other tires for their added toughness and longevity; suggesting these traits make them a better value. I prefer lighter tires...

Cheers,
KP

[palincss]

I'm not sure if I envy the bike or the week of riding in Boulder more. :)

As for the Pari-Motos, I'm a bit puzzled. Even Kirk is saying they're fragile, but compared to what? Are they really more fragile than a typical 23-25mm sub250g road clincher? So far, I'm up to 700 road miles on my Pari-Motos, and they still look pretty much like new.


No, they are more robust than a typical 23mm racing tire. Their tread is thin in comparison to a 650B Grand Bois Hetre or a Lierre so you can expect significantly less mileage before the tires wear out; and of course, they're much less robust than some of the more "armor plated" tires out there meant for use in glass-strewn urban environments.

You can't accurately judge wear by appearance on a Pari-Moto. The tread is thin enough the tires will never square off. By the time the visible tread patterning wears smooth, the remaining tread will be about as thick as a single sheet of paper. Here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97916047@N00/sets/72157625012613298/show/ is what my Pari Motos looked like at 1500 miles; by 1650 I gave up and declared the back tire worn out.

[Kirk Pacenti]

Here
http://www.flickr.com/photos/97916047@N00/sets/72157625012613298/show/ is what my Pari Motos looked like at 1500 miles; by 1650 I gave up and declared the back tire worn out.

That's pretty good, less than $0.04 per mile! :D

Cheers,
KP

[bobswire]

Opps, meant to post on the gravel bike thread. Nice Ellis Sam.

[jr59]

Opps, meant to post on the gravel bike thread. Nice Ellis Sam.

No worries here. I can look at this bike over and over and then some more!

It's that nice!

[victoryfactory]

Wow. Everything about that bike looks like it wants to be there.
Many happy miles
Are your wrists ok riding in those parallel to the ground drops?
If not, you could slide the levers down and tilt the bars up a bit.
(I'm a well meaning, jealous busy body)

VF

[SamIAm]

Are your wrists ok riding in those parallel to the ground drops?
If not, you could slide the levers down and tilt the bars up a bit.
(I'm a well meaning, jealous busy body)

VF

But you are correct, I have made adjustments since this picture was taken. Much more comfortable now.