Kirk Frameworks

[Dcberan]

Meant to reply to the original fork post. But the whole bike look great! Should have scrolled further. Love it.

[David Kirk]

This week's build is a fillet brazed steel MRB....rim brakes and room for 35's. Yesterday the front triangle was brazed and finished...next up the rear triangle will be brazed to the front.

dave

[merckx]

I just pushed the LIKE button.

[camelbackkid]

I hope it's ok to rave in this legendary thread, as the proud owner of the bike destined for the northeast featured on the previous page--my (it's surreal to use that word) Onesto XL.

Every thing about this bike is just beautiful. No one needs me to explain Dave's talents--nor can I claim to fully understand them--but the process and product have been a joy to behold and I feel like a child on Christmas right now.

After a couple late nights assembling and a quick shakedown ride yesterday, today I rode along my favorite route for 120 miles with 6k ft of ascent under a crisp autumn sun and bright foliage. It was a gorgeous day to be on any bike but transcendent on my new Kirk.

I'm hesitant to claim to have a fully-formed opinion of the bike, as there are many variables at play (I haven't ridden tires larger than 25 on the road before--these are 30) and I've spent only an excitingly small amount of time with it. With that in mind, to say that this is the nicest thing I've owned feels woefully inadequate, as I haven't owned many nice things and this is not just a thing. (An experience with a material aspect? Does life itself fall under that criteria, and how would it compare? This bike begets the big questions...)

My requests for ride qualities were uselessly vague ("the right amount of the right kind of stiffness") but were answered superbly. Deciding between OS and XL tubing was tough, and I am very glad with this choice. It's stable, responsive, smooth, and it descends and corners wonderfully. Those words all sound like marketing tropes. It just feels right and I found myself happy in the big ring more than usual today. The fit feels perfect and I did not experience the shoulder and knee naggles that sometimes flare. Dave was patient as we dialed in my measurements and went above and beyond by suggesting adjustments to my position.

Photos just don't serve it. The contrast between the blasted gray and the gleaming mirror logos really pops in the light. The exposed joints are so cool. I've never cared much about how my bike looks, but now I find myself wishing components didn't have logos. I think I lucked out with the grays on the seatpost and stem working with the frame. I probably broke some rules standing the bike at an angle for these photos and having the cranks at the wrong angle. The previous version of me who didn't own this would be rolling his eyes.

Following along with the build was very exciting. With credit to one of Dave's instagram posts featuring this frame, my wife now calls me her "big strong rider." Life is good.

Heartfelt thanks to Dave for creating this bike, and to this community for spreading the good word.

[DreaminJohn]

Awesome.

I wish you many happy miles.

[David Kirk]

Nice job on the build....it looks just right to me eye.

Have fun with it!


dave

Originally Posted by camelbackkid

I hope it's ok to rave in this legendary thread, as the proud owner of the bike destined for the northeast featured on the previous page--my (it's surreal to use that word) Onesto XL.

Every thing about this bike is just beautiful. No one needs me to explain Dave's talents--nor can I claim to fully understand them--but the process and product have been a joy to behold and I feel like a child on Christmas right now.

After a couple late nights assembling and a quick shakedown ride yesterday, today I rode along my favorite route for 120 miles with 6k ft of ascent under a crisp autumn sun and bright foliage. It was a gorgeous day to be on any bike but transcendent on my new Kirk.

I'm hesitant to claim to have a fully-formed opinion of the bike, as there are many variables at play (I haven't ridden tires larger than 25 on the road before--these are 30) and I've spent only an excitingly small amount of time with it. With that in mind, to say that this is the nicest thing I've owned feels woefully inadequate, as I haven't owned many nice things and this is not just a thing. (An experience with a material aspect? Does life itself fall under that criteria, and how would it compare? This bike begets the big questions...)

My requests for ride qualities were uselessly vague ("the right amount of the right kind of stiffness") but were answered superbly. Deciding between OS and XL tubing was tough, and I am very glad with this choice. It's stable, responsive, smooth, and it descends and corners wonderfully. Those words all sound like marketing tropes. It just feels right and I found myself happy in the big ring more than usual today. The fit feels perfect and I did not experience the shoulder and knee naggles that sometimes flare. Dave was patient as we dialed in my measurements and went above and beyond by suggesting adjustments to my position.

Photos just don't serve it. The contrast between the blasted gray and the gleaming mirror logos really pops in the light. The exposed joints are so cool. I've never cared much about how my bike looks, but now I find myself wishing components didn't have logos. I think I lucked out with the grays on the seatpost and stem working with the frame. I probably broke some rules standing the bike at an angle for these photos and having the cranks at the wrong angle. The previous version of me who didn't own this would be rolling his eyes.

Following along with the build was very exciting. With credit to one of Dave's instagram posts featuring this frame, my wife now calls me her "big strong rider." Life is good.

Heartfelt thanks to Dave for creating this bike, and to this community for spreading the good word.

[AngryScientist]

Two thumbs up, looks great!

[PortlyPuncheur]

Such beautiful work and such a treat to read your commentary, Dave.
I keep telling myself to stop opening this thread. It's probably only a matter of time.

[Munger]

What diameter seat post is on the Onesto XL?

[David Kirk]

Originally Posted by Munger

What diameter seat post is on the Onesto XL?

The Onesto XL uses a 30.6 post.

dave

[elvisthehorse]

i was going to ask. About the seatpost diameter. I bet that is a rocket ship.

I know diameter and wall thickness help with stiffness, but? most say seatpost doesnt always matter. I disagree. MY serotta fierte has a large seatpost tube with a shim down to 27.2. Its way stiffer than my Colorado tg. Which has the colorado shaped tubing. So the length of the tube?

Maybe Dave Kirk can educate me.

elivs

[David Kirk]

Good morning -

I'm not 100% sure what you are asking. Are you wondering if the seat post diameter has an effect on the ride quality?

I would say that both the amount of exposed seat post and the diameter of the post will have a small influence on the ride. If there isn't much post showing then the diameter of it will matter less.....if the amount of exposed post is long then the diameter will matter more.

In either case the post doesn't have a large effect....it's there for sure but it's small.

Does that address your question?

dave

Originally Posted by elvisthehorse

i was going to ask. About the seatpost diameter. I bet that is a rocket ship.

I know diameter and wall thickness help with stiffness, but? most say seatpost doesnt always matter. I disagree. MY serotta fierte has a large seatpost tube with a shim down to 27.2. Its way stiffer than my Colorado tg. Which has the colorado shaped tubing. So the length of the tube?

Maybe Dave Kirk can educate me.

elivs

[elvisthehorse]

Sorry if my post is written poorly.
Diameter of seat post tubing itself, effect how stiff the frame is in the BB area?

My fierte ti/carbon has a large seatpost diameter. I think it made the bike stiffer at the BB. compared to my other bikes which have a normal size seat tube.

[David Kirk]

Ahhh...I get you now.

You are referring to the seat tube diameter and not the seat post. Cool.

The diameter of the seat tube where is meets the bottom bracket does have some effect on the stiffness of the BB area....not as much as one might think but it's certainly a factor.

The tubes that have an outsized effect are the chainstays. Every watt of energy that you put into the pedal has to get to the rear wheel through the chainstays and if they are flexi the bike can feel vague or lack that wonderful snap or jump that the best bikes have. One can't make up for soft chainstays by making the down tube or seat tube bigger - it looks like you can but it doesn't work that way.

dave

Originally Posted by elvisthehorse

Sorry if my post is written poorly.
Diameter of seat post tubing itself, effect how stiff the frame is in the BB area?

My fierte ti/carbon has a large seatpost diameter. I think it made the bike stiffer at the BB. compared to my other bikes which have a normal size seat tube.

[elvisthehorse]

Thank you for your answer.

elvis the horse.