Cyclocross Racer

Just in time for the upcoming cyclocross season, this versatile, custom ‘cross bike is for a very small rider. The frame is True Temper S3 ultra-light steel with a carbon fiber rear end. The frame is matched to an AlphaQ CX20 all carbon ‘cross fork and is painted deep candy red - a red clear-coat over a metallic gold base layer. The drivetrain is an XT/105 mix with versatile gearing combining a compact crank with a MTB cassette. Paul’s canti’s provide the stopping power, and Shimano’s ST-R600 reach adjustable shift levers are matched to a Salsa Short and Shallow bar for a set-up friendly to small hands. A Fizik Vitesse saddle, carbon seatpost and the FSA Orbit CX headset finish off the package.

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Commuter Bikes

Here are some pictures of a couple of ‘all terrain’ commuter bikes we’ve made recently. Both of the bike feature strudy steel frames with 700C wheels and room for cross tires or commuter tires and fenders. Both bikes are built with eccentric bottom brackets and the Shimano Alfine 8 speed internally geared hub. The Alfine hub is the Nexus Inter-8 hub with a disk mount. This hubs span a useful range of gears and work beautifully.

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Summer Rush!

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.

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Large Tire Road Bike

This custom steel road bike is built around long reach caliper brakes with lots of room for 700×32C tires. The owner will be commuting into Guelph with the bike as well as road riding, so we’ve set the bike up with two sets of wheels - Ultegra SL wheels for road riding, and handbuilt wheels using DT Swiss TK 7.1 trekking rims, DT Competition Spokes and 36H Ultegra hubs for gravel road and commuter riding. The bike is built up with Ultegra SL, Shimano long reach calipers, Selle Italia Flight GelFlow saddle, Salsa 46cm Pro Road Handlears and a Chris King Headset.

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Lean, Mean, Green Machine…

Yeah, I know it’s black, but trust me - commuter bikes are green! This custom steel commuter has a bunch of neat features. The bike is built up with Shimano’s Alfine group - an eight speed internally geared rear hub, a front dynamo hub, and disc compatible. A Titec ‘Jone’s’ H-Bar makes for a wide variety of hand positions with a performance but comfortable rider fit. A Brook’s Flyer saddle provides a touch of luxury. The Flyer saddle is the B-17 top with sprung rails - and is surprisingly comfortable on rough roads - after it is broken in. The frame is custom steel, uses an eccentric bottom bracket to tension the chain, and has clearance for 700×35C tires and fenders. Very fun, and the black-black-black colour scheme looks very sharp and neo-retro!

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