September 4th, 2008 Hugh
I have been building quite a few ti frames this year. I have a new shaped 3/2.5 tubeset that is perfect for road and cross bikes. The shaping adds stiffness to the frame the right places while still maintaining the supple ride ti is known for.
Here is the start of Johnny 5’s new cross bike.
It is off to Stefan now for some clear coat on the carbon rear end. When it comes back I will do the final finishing.
I also just finished a ti 29er for Aleksandar. The ti 29ers are absolutely wonderful to ride. We built this bikes around one of the Eriksen ti posts. The post softens the feedback from the rear wheel. This will be the next bike I am going to build for myself. We are still waiting for some of the parts to arrive for the final build. Here is a picture of the bike with some temporary parts.
Posted in Custom Frames, New Bikes | 2 Comments »
July 18th, 2008 Hugh
Usually things slow down quite a bit during the summer months. I am not sure what has happened this year as I seem to have more orders than in the peak spring rush. The temperature with humidex has been at least 35-40C the past 3 weeks in the shop. It has been quite a task to keep working and not to go and sit in the lake.
Here is a cool before and after shot. All of these frames are built from True Temper Platinum tubing. From left to right:
- Sean’s new mtn frame which is a copy of his 1996 Rocky Mountain Blizzard frame.
- Custom 29er frame built for Drew Graham.
- Suspension corrected 29er frame for Firefighter Steve.
Here are a few frames hot off the press. From left to right:
- True Temper S3 /carbon crosser built for Tecla
- Single Speed EBB crosser built from Columbus Max OR tubing for Tricky Ricky
- Steve’s top tube met with an untimely death - good as new!
- Full reconstructive surgery on what has to be the oldest Bontrager frame I have ever seen.
Posted in Custom Frames, Frame Repair, New Bikes | No Comments »
May 28th, 2008 Hugh
I haven’t really had an opportunity to build a mountain bike around Kirk Pacenti’s 27.5″ mtn bike tires. These tires mount on a 650b rim. The overall wheel size ends up being half way between a normal 26 inch wheel and a 29 inch wheel. I am going to try to build Christine a combo style of bike. She needs a bike for commuting and for trail riding. I have designed the bike so it will handle properly as a commuter with a 650b X 38c tire or as a rigid mtb with the 27.5 inch tires. The BB height is critical and can be adjusted accordingly with the eccentric bottom bracket.
The frame is being built out of True Temper Platinum tubing. I am not sure what the final paint scheme will be. So far a brown/pink combo seems to in the running.
For years I have dreaded reaming seat tubes. I never really seemed to have an efficient system that didn’t require a huge amount of elbow grease. A little while back I found a number of 1.5 hp motors with gears boxes attached and thought that some day I might have a chance to use them for a reaming machine. My friend Wheelspinner put this machine together for around $200 and a couple of afternoons of work. It works like a dream!
Posted in Cool Projects, Custom Frames, Prototype Frames | No Comments »
April 30th, 2008 Hugh
It has taken quite a bit of work to get the new shop set up and operational. The showroom is now painted with bikes on display. The other shop had almost twice the showroom area so we are going to keep a little less P@A and only 4 or 5 bikes on display.
The manufacturing area has a nice flow with lots of lighting. I didn’t realize how well things were compressed into the other shop. The bike storage was a bit of an issue until the bike lifts were rigged up.
I have been able to build a number of frames in the past couple of weeks. I think it took almost twice as long to make each frame. I am still getting used to the placement of the tools. Pictures are of Chris Gibson’s Columbus Spirit road frame and Lawrence’s Rohloff specific touring frame.
Scott’s frame had to have the down tube replaced thanks to Air Canada. Good as new!
Posted in Custom Frames, Frame Repair | 1 Comment »
March 11th, 2008 Hugh
The bike show was a success. The show was quite busy despite the terrible weather conditions. It’s always nice to see old customers and friends. I would like to thank Val for dropping off the delicious muffins.
There are so many things to do right now. I have to start moving my shop to Guelph and keep working on frame builds. I have Tom’s titanium club frame in the jig right now. It will be welded tomorrow when I feel a little less groggy.
Posted in Custom Frames | 3 Comments »
