AR cycles

[8aaron8]

Originally Posted by mhespenheide

Wow -- that head tube is the best kind of crazy. Bilaminate with an inset stainless tube?

Yes indeed, I've done a number of frames now with a stainless headtube. It leaves some options for finishing that I like. This one will be similar to a bike I made a few years back with lugs made from scratch with a polished headtube and bead blasted logo.

[8aaron8]

John beat me to the punch on this one but here we go. John reached out mid 2021 about having a frame built around rim brakes and fenders. Initially he wanted to use Campy Chorus brakes but I talked him into long reach calipers for better fender clearance and of course larger tires. The bike will live in Washington State so it'll likely wear fender all year round. We had a lot of back and forth about stylistic choices such as the lugs, seat stay termination, fender eyelets and of course paint. The pandemic has not only impacted the cycling parts supply but it has also made some higher end tubing difficult to get. I had the front triangle and fork together long before I could complete the rear end as it took a couple of months to get ahold of the stainless chainstays. However, John is very patient and in the end we have a fully custom steel frame with clearance for 700x35c tires, 30's in fender mode, lightweight OS tubing consisting of Columbus and Reynolds, polished stainless fork crown and chainstays, contrasting headtube paint job with gold logos and fills on the custom headlug extension, and best yet and new friend in the cycling world. Thanks John for getting this started with me.

[mhespenheide]

Two thumbs up! Beautiful execution and paint.

Do you feel like 30mm is about the biggest 700c tire for fenders and standard (long reach) brakes? If I were thinking about 650b x 42mm and fenders, would that require centerpull brakes or minimotos or cantis?

[gbcoupe]

Beautiful.

[8aaron8]

Originally Posted by mhespenheide

Two thumbs up! Beautiful execution and paint.

Do you feel like 30mm is about the biggest 700c tire for fenders and standard (long reach) brakes? If I were thinking about 650b x 42mm and fenders, would that require centerpull brakes or minimotos or cantis?

A lot depends on how little clearance your comfortable with between the tire and the fender. Once you get beyond a 30mm tire you have the fixed brake bridge to contend with, then add the fender and any washers and you have less than 10mm of clearance between tire and fender, this is not ideal. Additionally, you can run a 38mm wide fender and get decent coverage over the 30mm tire and still allow the brake calipers to close, once you move into 650x42 land you need fenders that are 50mm+ in width, this really doesn't allow a sidepull caliper to do it's job. So yes, with a 650x42 you are looking at centerpulls, canit's, or discs.

[54ny77]

oh man that's a stunner. love the lugwork paint, detail, etc.

[john903]

Hi Aaron, Wow it looks fantastic. Once it is built up I will post it in the custom bike section. If anyone is wondering about Aarons work and if he can build something for you, I would say yes he will build you a wonderful bike. Communication was great, he asked lots of questions and keep me informed during the whole build process. He was also very patient with all my questions and ideas. It was a very good experience having Aaron my next for me.
Thank You Aaron.

[dave thompson]

Beautiful bike John. Congrats to you and Aaron!

[gbcoupe]

If and when I have a frame built for me, Aaron is on a very short list.

[mhespenheide]

Originally Posted by gbcoupe

If and when I have a frame built for me, Aaron is on a very short list.

Same.

[8aaron8]

Wrapping this one up, color still being decided on but it should be a fun bike. More details to come once it's painted and built.

[8aaron8]

I've kind of fallen off the radar as of late. A lot of ups and downs the last few months but that's what makes life interesting. Frames are still being built and classes have once again begun since the start of the pandemic. I just finished a class with a local guy who built not one but 2 frames, one for him the other for his S/O. It took a total of 7-days which surprised me. Both frames are awaiting paint but I'm excited to see them on the road soon. Both were designed around long reach brakes and 35mm tires.








Additionally, I have a small gravel frame ready for the new owner to finalize paint, this one is ready for hydraulic flat mount discs and 650x48's. Bi-lam headtubes are fun, I got to have free reign on the aesthetic design of this one.







More to come

[mhespenheide]

Beautiful work.

[Coffee Rider]

Please keep posting new pictures.

[8aaron8]

As requested, some more photos of a build I'm very excited to work on. This one has been a long while coming for another forum member. My hands will be tired by the end with the custom shaped lugs and all the stainless polishing that is to come. More soon.