Time to build a 27.5″ wheeled mtn frame

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!

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Full Speed Ahead!

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!

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Back to work!

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.

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Textured Ti

I have been working on Nick’s ti 29er. Time for the ghost flames! The bead blasting gives the frame a really cool matte yet glittery appearance.

You will have to go to the show to see the final finish!

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Spring Rush!

Usually the next few months are the busiest of the year. I have an abnormal number of bikes on order to build along with the repairs and repaints done over the winter months. The spring bike show is coming up and so is the move to Guelph. Very busy. The building is proceeding very efficiently. I am now working on Gerald’s crosser, Bennett’s sport tourer, and Jeff’s 29er. The crosser and sport touring frame both have interesting dropout configurations.

Nick came in a polished the tubes on his ti 29er. I am going to bead blast a pattern on the frame using the polished regions as a highlight. Should look really cool!

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