#frame-builders

tag

My Team Mudfoot Stinner ‘Cross Bike with SRAM CX1

Reportage

My Team Mudfoot Stinner ‘Cross Bike with SRAM CX1

You know the saying “good things come to those who wait?”, well, the original saying, which was shortened for public consumption was written by a cyclocross racer in Belgium back in the 1850’s. His text, which was later transcribed on his tombstone said “good things come to those who wait all ‘cross season…”

Here we are, at the end of the 2014 season, with all but two races left for the year, States and Nationals. Most of us are at our peak fitness, or maybe we’re already packing on the winter weight, but for whatever reason, suddenly I feel a lot stronger. Those parts that have been waiting for months suddenly have a home and my bike rack in the house, with that empty hook, finally has a mate. This is the peaceful twin, to the black metal steed, my Geekhouse Mudville.

When this project was first announced, I was honored to have Luis and Geoff from Mudfoot think of me to be involved. I can’t help but think Aaron Stinner may have had something to do with it as well. After a few email correspondences, Aaron agreed to ditch the “production geo” and go full custom. He asked which geometry I preferred and to be honest, I was completely satisfied with my Geekhouse, so we stuck to that for the most part, save for a half a º steeper head tube.

Low Bicycles Cyclocross Mki Frame Pre-Order

Radar

Low Bicycles Cyclocross Mki Frame Pre-Order

This one’s hot off the DFL race in SF last weekend, from Andrew Low himself:

“We’re taking pre- orders now at my website. Production will begin right after the end of the season – after the frame has been adequately tested, when I am satisfied there are no issues with it, and when all my current standing orders are fulfilled (about 4 months from now).

The geometry is a fairly standard with 70mm bb drop, 71.5º head tube, 74º seat tube. We will be offering 1-1/2″ tapered head tube, disk brake, and single speed as options.

In case anybody is wondering why we’re testing it so late in the season it’s because of my broken wrist this summer, I was out of commission for 3 months. Also, we plan to build her up with fancier parts, but this is the best we could do on short notice.”

Pre-order a MKi Frame for $1,550 at Low Bicycles now!

Baum Cycles: Disc Cubano

Radar

Baum Cycles: Disc Cubano

Please, please, please, please, don’t make this another disc debate.

This is one of the best looking disc bikes I’ve seen and I have no idea why. Other than the fact that it’s a Baum and they seem to do no wrong. This Cubano is so amazing, down to the ENVE rims and minimal accents.

See more at Baum’s Flickr!

Sklar Bikes: Purple ‘Cross with Ultegra 6800

Radar

Sklar Bikes: Purple ‘Cross with Ultegra 6800

I have a penchant for purple bikes and even though ‘cross is almost done for the year, it doesn’t mean we can’t keep oogling bikes like the latest from Adam Sklar.

This frame is built from OX platinum with a 44mm headtube and 142×12 spacing. This offers a stiff rear end, but an ovalized top tube bent stays offer compliance when needed. Not a lot of cross bikes have internal top tube cable routing, but this one totes it with pride.

To round it out, Adam’s client is running Ultegra 6800 with Shimano mechanicals and a Stans/DT wheelset.

I love it when bikes are built with practicality in mind. See more at Sklar’s Flickr.

The Team Mudfoot Stinner Cyclocross Frameset

Reportage

The Team Mudfoot Stinner Cyclocross Frameset

Geoff McFetridge is a longtime legend in my book. Growing up skateboarding in the 90’s, there were a handful of artists that always had their finger on the pulse. Everywhere you looked, he was doing illustrations, or projects with brands like Nike – those Vandals were my favorite. About 6 years ago, Geoff, along with some like-minded friends started a team in Los Angeles called Mudfoot.

Years later and the team has grown, racing and riding the roads, courses, tracks and paths of LA and beyond. The team, it turns out, is a highly successful brand as well, planning rides in Los Angeles and selling out instantly of any good or product they list on their site. All of which is designed by Geoff.

Last year, the team looked to Santa Barbara’s Stinner Frameworks to design and fabricate a run of team bikes. They were a smash hit and looked exceptionally good bunnyhopping barriers, or taking beer handups. So when this year’s season drew near, Geoff worked with Aaron once again on designing a new frame.

Even though these frames were completed towards the end of the race season, we all know a cross bike is just at home in a race as it is on dirt and trails. I’ve got a few more races here in Austin, as well as Nationals, all of which I’ll be breaking this beaut in. Once it’s built, I’ll give a full parts break down and a proper photoshoot.

Before it got built up however, I took a few minutes to photograph it in my office. See more in the Gallery!

When Frame Builders Make Furniture: The Signal Haul

Radar

When Frame Builders Make Furniture: The Signal Haul


I’ve been meaning to post this project for a while, but I figured it might make a good last-minute gift for someone.

The Signal Haul is a project I’ve watched from sketch to production run:

“Introducing Haul by Signal. A limited edition offering for winter 2015. Initially conceived around Christmas last year, this became a project Signal continually prototyped through the summer between designing and building bikes.

Each Haul is crafted at Signal using using 3/8” 1018 cold rolled steel rod and assembled in house with leather webbing or full leather with various Pendleton wool laminations and additional materials to come.

Custom powdercoat colors as well as leather and Pendleton options are available. 20 Hauls were created in this first edition and currently 12 are still available and ready for paint and assembly. Please email Signal with any questions and to place your order. $500 retail with 10% discount to Signal owners. We take care of our own!”

Low Bicycles’ Prototype Cross Frame

Radar

Low Bicycles’ Prototype Cross Frame

Andrew Low sent this over, along with some other photos and information, but we’ll wait to share the rest for the time being. However, it seems that he’s developing cyclocross frames for TCB Courier’s team. I know it’s a bit late in the season, but these things take time and now at least the guys will have ample time to make any design changes until next season begins. Eventually, after all the details are dialed in, Andrew will add these bikes to the Low Bicycles catalog.

More information to come, for now, follow Low on Instagram.

Errin’s Box Dog Pelican Randonneur

Reportage

Errin’s Box Dog Pelican Randonneur

Yesterday I went down to the LA River Camp Coffee meet-up to drink some coffee and see what this weekly gathering is all about. While I was there, I shot Errin’s Box Dog Pelican rando bike, set up with panniers.

This bike was made by Banjo Bicycles – they’re made by Winter now – in production runs and are sold by Box Dog Bikes in small batches. Errin’s has seen some mileage, which you can follow along on his blog Frontage Roads. I love randonneur bikes that become commuters when they’re not being drug through the shit on a brevet.

See more details in the Gallery and many thanks to Errin for organizing the LA River Camp Coffee meetups, more on that tomorrow!