Group Shot

[coelacant]

Here's is no.1 & no.2 together. I'm done with all the modifications and trying something else with these frames, they both ride and handle the way I wanted, so it's time to give them a final finish.
Each one took about 2 mo. working a few hours a day, they're built 6 mo. apart, and there were lots of do-overs in between road tests. No.2 is the preferred steed for fast group rides with lots of up and downs. No.1 is more of a rando bike. Both take tires up to 35-38c, which is about the limit of these medium reach brakes, (30c w/ fenders). you can lurk and learn a lot from fools and sages on the frameforum and elsewhere, but you forget it all until you make a frame for yourself. I was fortunate to have an opportunity to make it happen with some very good guidance and hands on teaching from a self taught riding buddy who happens to make frames himself.
[IMG]Untitled by Velot 2, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]Untitled by Velot 2, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]Untitled by Velot 2, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]Untitled by Velot 2, on Flickr[/IMG]

[clyde the point]

Wow!

[8aaron8]

These both look great, I like what you did with the rear brake bridge. It was nice talking with you last year, best of luck on your continued builds.

[charliedid]

Very nice, love the details and color.

[coelacant]

Thank you guys, I had fun learning new stuff. Now if I can figure out how to make a compliant disc fork... but my next project won't be for while.
Aaron have you made one?

Tom

[coreyaugustus]

The road frame looks pretty good. Nice work! I also really like the brass badge on the downtube. Way cooler than logos, etc.

The brake bridge on the rando-esque frame is interesting and looks pretty well-executed. What was the reasoning behind it? Is there a function or just because it looks neat and different?

[coelacant]

Thanks Corey, I was trying to keep the finish simple with a minimal of fuss.
The idea was to float the seat stays so that they can better absorb the hits for you. Would have been even better if there were no bridge at all, but since I had to triangulate the cantilever brake mount, I came up with the 'soft' bridge idea.
It works well enough, just odd looking, but I think there's a way to refine it some on future bikes.

[Blue Jays]

Enjoy the new funky steampunk bicycles in good health. Awesome!

[8aaron8]

Originally Posted by coelacant

Thank you guys, I had fun learning new stuff. Now if I can figure out how to make a compliant disc fork... but my next project won't be for while.
Aaron have you made one?

Tom

Depends on who you ask, I think compared to a carbon fork steel can be more compliant and I have had a few people who really felt the disc fork I built them was more compliant. However, you are limited in selecting fork blades up to the task of disc brake forces, which translates to thick walls. On paved road I'm not a huge fan but when the road gets rougher the additional surefooted feeling is nice.

[digitalnorbs]

nice bikes

[haruharu]

curved chainstays and the forks are on point

[jpw]

Originally Posted by coelacant

Thanks Corey, I was trying to keep the finish simple with a minimal of fuss.
The idea was to float the seat stays so that they can better absorb the hits for you. Would have been even better if there were no bridge at all, but since I had to triangulate the cantilever brake mount, I came up with the 'soft' bridge idea.
It works well enough, just odd looking, but I think there's a way to refine it some on future bikes.

Do the brake pads ever move out of alignment with the rim with that seat stay and brake bridge arrangement?

[coelacant]

I made sure it doesn't. The way I hung the brake, it's just as if I have straight seat stays. But now that it's done, I see that if you have the brake facing backward like normal, you'd have more clearance for fenders. If I get bored and running out of things to do, I might just modify it again.

[daneferrari]

It looks amazing!
Especially the port at night, it always fascinates me as a former sailor...

[mhespenheide]

Originally Posted by daneferrari

It looks amazing!
Especially the port at night, it always fascinates me as a former sailor...

Is this a bot?