Thanks Rody and thanks to all for having me!
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Thanks Rody and thanks to all for having me!
Thought those of you attending and those of you who can't make it would like to see some sneak peeks of the heat I'm bringing. Full build shots after the show. Till then, enjoy.
44 Bikes "Big Boy" Fat Bike (this bikes been out there on the interwebs for a while, so you get the full monty). Sporting the first production Paul Components 170mm Rhub to round out the Paul Comp wheelset (front is their 135 Whub). I9 Driver to boot. Sling, roll up dry bag and expanding seat pack sewed up by yours truly.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/8...bdd8de5c_b.jpg
44 Bikes "Kid Dangerous" 29er mountain bike. My custom mountain bikes are dubbed "Kid Dangerous" and come in many flavors. This is just one of them. This one sports Titanium Nitrided head and seat tube badges. Let's get in nice and close.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8175/8...a359cf41_b.jpg
44 Bikes "Huntsman CX". My 'skinny' tire bikes are all nicknamed The Huntsman. Road, Fixed, Cross, Gravel, Touring. Anything skinny this is your bike custom tuned and honed to your particulars. This one sports 135mm rear dropout spacing, internally routed top tube cables, disks, Retroshift does the shifting duties (dedicated 1x9) and sports 406.4mm chainstays with plenty of mud clearance thanks to a radius seat tube.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8457/8...f507c6d0_b.jpg
Hope to see all of you at the show. Stop on by and say hello! Details here.
You are mastering the fine art of the tease with these shots and the facebook shots.
Look forward to seeing full shots of the CX bike.
Good to hear I have done my job. Full shots as promised after the show. There are a few out there who will be posting shots of these bikes just before the show too so keep your eyes peeled.
Just arrived this evening. I'll have handfuls of these and others for those who want stickers at the show! See you there...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/8...5a3c1701_c.jpg
Great to see so many wonderful people at the New England Builders ball. Awesome bikes by all. Here's what I had for those who were not there:
29er:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/8...8ebc8bd7_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8451/8...67cbe824_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8177/8...cb504f9f_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8031/8...7e98fc19_b.jpg
Cross:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8038/8...f143fcb3_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/8...ed241b2d_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8035/8...b4a684f6_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/8...639b4344_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/8...4976921c_b.jpg
FAT:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8312/8...7b0109b7_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8311/8...329691fa_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/8...e6f715db_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8036/8...42ae67d9_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/8...e9821e24_b.jpg
Lovely looking bikes, and great back story. Thanks for taking the time to share so thoroughly.
I see the three show bikes all have very simple paintjobs. Is this a conscious decison? What are your thoughts on frame finish and it's place in the overall look of the complete bike?
None of the bike's have a FD, is this to keep things simple or more for tire clearance and short chainstays?
@Firedfromthecircus: Thanks for the kind words regarding the builds/work. The powder coats on all three bikes are indeed very simple and consciously done so. I was looking for cleanliness of line and balance of both positive/negative space. I do however love all the really intricate paint jobs and appreciate the work that goes into them on other builds. But for my first show, especially so, I wanted it to be about the bikes, their function and their overall form and how all the elements work together towards one end/purpose. Thoughtful lines, but purpose built. As I said, I appreciate the paint work of others and if a customer really wants something special for their build, that is their decision and I will help guide them through that process. Personally, I feel like that can distract from the elements and purpose of a bike. I place a lot of weight in functional aspects of builds but balance that with form and balance of line weight as i construct the bike. Everything must have a purpose. If it is something just for the sake of it, it is unnecessary.
@dgaddis: Indeed none of the bikes at the show were sporting front derailleurs. Simplicity is key for most of my personal builds. 2 of the bikes were 1x9's and another was a modified 1x7 actually (my personal trail bike). Again, these were purpose built and focused on simplicity. I've got a fat bike in the quo that will be doing 2x10 and 16.5" chainstays which will be a great challenge. Personally, I feel as though for trail / gravel type builds, there is more than enough gear range in a 1x setup (1x9, 1x10 etc). Some customers may feel differently and that is fine. If the customer wanted 2 or 3 up front, I'd have to check clearances and balance that with other requests for the chainstay length for what is feasible given the additional restraints. It's the old "Light, strong and cheap? Pick two..." scenario.
Just an FYI to all that I updated the 44 Bikes website to reflect new images, content and the new layouts/info for both the Huntsman and the Big Boy. The Huntsman pictured is geared towards gravel and CX. However, this custom build option is all things skinny so road, cross, touring, fixed, etc. The Big Boy is all things FAT TIRE. Lots of options on all the bikes and the sky is the limit. Kid Dangerous is my mountain bike with different seat/chainstay configurations, options for massive standover or a more traditional style build. The Snake Driver is more of a point to point build for long adventures, bike packing etc. I'll be updating those images / content for the Snake Driver once it decides to STOP RAINING up here in NH...
Here's some additional XXX...
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Wow, I just lost 3 hours reading through your smoked out thread and your metal shop link in the 2nd post too. Well I say lost, but actually they were educational and inspirational, so a worth while use of the time I think. Really great stuff.
I am in the process of 'sorting' out my workshop; though not actually doing anything productive thanks to my broken wrist. I think next week it will all kick off, and I have a level to aspire to now after reading this.
And then after all that, the bikes look great too. I have never been a fan of the 29er, mainly because even though I am 6'2" they look out of proportion. I think your low stand over design gives the frame a good balance, and it all of a sudden looks right. In fact probably the best looking 29er I have seen. I might have to try a 29er once my wrist is up to it, then try to build one if I like it (emphasis on might, I have lots of other things to sort out first)
I look forward to seeing more.
Thanks for the kind words Toby. Balance and proportion are something that I strive for through the build process. Everything is considered and everything has a reason for being. Best of luck with your own shop and get well soon!
Little taste of today's effort towards completing this hardtail 29er with Paragon adjustable drops. Pretty stoked on those seat stays turned out.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8047/8...3cf47f76_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8465/8...399c10a2_b.jpg
You are killing it son. Speaking for myself the drop tube designs are the answer for someone like me. Because I'm so tall, having the option to drop my weight below the virtual level top tube will make sketchy riding much more fun and controllable. I'm a reverse pendulum!!!!
Great great great bikes dewd.
Thanks for the kind words Too Tall. I'm trying to put my best foot forward with this! Only a maximum effort will do.
In other news: This is where this beast prefers to roam...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8183/8...5672f226_b.jpg
I friggin' love that Kris. The only change I would make is a slightly thinner looking fork to balance the lines even more but can't argue the performance of the one chosen.
My must have list has grown buy one.
Thanks Devlin. I've been getting a lot of inquiries about this build so perhaps we'll see more of these puppies coming out of the shop. Since moving here to NH in 2006, I sold my road bike and fixed gear and have been primarily riding a 29er with dropbars on dirt roads as my "road" bike. There's so much dirt here with so little traffic (I might bump into one car on a 50 mile ride) there was just no reason to own a skinny. Don't get me wrong, I love road bikes and fixies, but a bike with knobbies is where it's at for my sensibilities. If the tires are on dirt, that's when the ride speaks to me most. Here's an early proto of a more monster version of the above:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3123/3...ba999910_o.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3182/3...bdb8fec6_o.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3096/3...3638bbf2_o.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3228/3...098f7bec_o.jpg
You can see the progression here between the two builds and I'd like to revisit this bike at some point perhaps next spring to update it. This is technically a "Snake Driver". Run it with dirt drops, riser bars, fat tires, racks, packs. It's the do all bike.
Today I tried my hand at Titanium for the first time. No back purging so I can separate that from just working with it and getting the feel. Also no sense in wasting gas when I'm just practicing. I'll take the time to set up a solid back purge setup in the next 1-2 weeks. Not too bad for my first go - I'm happy. This stuff welds like butter though - I was not expecting just how smooth it welds.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8466/8...6fd5de0e_b.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8467/8...cabac9c5_b.jpg
press! Found: 44 Bikes’ Handmade Gravel Road Bike & More! - Bike Rumor
I may have spammed some Vsalon there in the comments....
Holy crap Kris! You are going to be a very busy man very soon. Need an apprentice? :blink1:
Thanks fellas. I sure hope I get too busy! Things are going well. Slow and steady wins the race when building a brand. I'm committed 110% to making this work.
For all your viewing pleasure: A step by step Flickr set of how I build a frame from start to finish. This is a combination of images from a bunch of different builds. As I take additional shots that are relative that cover some details I may have missed, I'll be sure to update this occasionally. Till then, enjoy!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8195/8...978066c8_b.jpg
Got out for a little Fat Bike Shake Down. Short 3 mile climb brings you to the top of Winn Mtn. behind the shop. Good view from the top too:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8183/8...dacec5d5_b.jpg
Took some time this week to make some much needed tooling with some shared time on a buddy's lathe:
44mm Head Tube cone with back purge routing:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8207/8...1b891a14_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7117/8...3b4558fc_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7273/8...5e2afc2a_b.jpg
44mm Head Tube Heat Sync:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8347/8...26e1662d_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7126/8...712628e7_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7248/8...0a3d5940_b.jpg
First welds with the new heat sync:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8202/8...ee44f64f_b.jpg
And a drawer full o-the-goodies:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/8...eff404ae_b.jpg
I have a question - when you do the tire crimps on your chainstays - how thick is the thinnest part of the crimp, like the width?
Looks like you're using .75' x .035"?
Just interested in your methodology - I come from years & years of riding trials bikes so I look at yours & think "Yeah......I can see what those bikes are for"
How about the flattening 1/2 way down the length of the say - for good flex?
Give us your thoughts about shortchainstay 29ers and the chainstay construction
- Garro.
Hey Steve - Good questions and I'm happy to answer them.
Chainstay Dimple Technique: I have a set of dies I've made that have different radius's in aluminum which create the dimple. I have a pair of maple and douglas fir backing blocks that fully support the backside of the chainstay at the dimple. It mirrors the shape of the chainstay pre-dimple. With that organic material as a backer, it does not flatten/transpose anything onto the chainstays backside. This is also made to fit the radius of the tube's OD (correct - .75" OD x .035" wall thickness). These are inserted into a vise, and in conjunction with a stop, I simply press the dimple into shape. The thinnest part of the dimple is typically .50". I also accommodate for the additional bend that it gives to that end of the chainstay as it does increase the bend. So I typically bend them in their raw state to about 10 degrees. When finished it's approximately 12 degrees. I'm going to be rebuilding this set of dies in the new year with some improvements on repeatability. I'll be sure to share that when they are finished.
The flattening of the chainstays is actually for more lateral stiffness (or at least that is what I was thinking!). More of an experiment - coupled with the short chainstays (16") the rear end is fairly stiff but not so stiff as not to lose that resilient feel that steel is known for. So far so good on trail
My style of riding is very trials inspired, but also I love singletrack and have ridden a lot of bmx street. I love to hop, flick and pick my way through tech. I love a great climb and I equally enjoy a great dh run. But I really like the connection that a hardtail has with the trail and the "feel" you get between yourself and trail through a hardtail. 29ers make sense for my physicality too (I'm 6'1") and I prefer a bit of more upright riding position with a tight cockpit. Short chainstays are a must for me especially for a 29er on the east coast (New England being my home turf - but I cut my teeth up on South Mountain in Emmaus, PA - my home state). I built this bike to get some feedback regarding what the difference between 16", 16.25", 16.5" and 16.75" chainstays feel like in the same terrain:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8175/7...9c13e6f8_c.jpg
What I noticed was that at the shortest range (16") this bike felt lively but was highly flickable. The front end "pops" but climbs equally well (that has a lot to do where I place the rider "in" the frame too). The front end was easily muscled over obstacles with ease. The drawback, especially when this is built up full rigid, was that it tended to get a bit choppy in really serious tech at speed. But the ability for this bike to be lofted, with 16" chainstays, overcomes that choppy drawback in high speed tech. If I wanted a bike that has these quick, fun attributes, but was a great all day in the saddle bike, 16.5" fits the bill. I built this bike for myself recently with 16.25" and I found that it was a good compromise between the two ends of the spectrum giving me just enough all day comfort but highly playful on trail:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/8...8ebc8bd7_c.jpg
But chainstay length is only part of the equation really (as I see it). This needs to be weighed with head tube angle and bottom bracket height to name a few. These factors as well as a few others all work towards how the bike handles. Being able to fiddle with chainstay length, bottom bracket height and head tube angle naturally gives me that opportunity to hone the ride that much more. Those 3 factors I weigh heavily in conjunction with where the rider sits in space between the wheels.
You just made Futura cool again. Nice stuff!
This machine BUILDS machines...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8057/8...44f007f3_b.jpg
Which in turn builds organic machines.
Weekend Bike Preppery : Brett's Huntsman FIX
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8345/8...4e5ea041_b.jpg
Weekend Bike Preppery : Mike's Kid Dangerous 29er 1x10
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8...00f10dcd_b.jpg
Badges :
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8...eea3a26f_b.jpg
Tools :
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8...26771bb2_b.jpg
Who's making your headbadges, Kris? Beautiful stuff. I also love the little felt lined tin you have the HT spigots in. Gotta have little boxes for the do-dads.
Thanks! Aculine out on the "other" coast makes my badges. The felt lined tin's are home made. I took apart a few cool tins my mother gave me and lined them with left over felt from refinishing my Gerstner machinist chest. These are actually the lids. I love little boxes and things like that to put stuff!
Here's the machinist box after the refurb : It was a real mess before this
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4125/4...c616c847_b.jpg
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4127/4...19d3de1b_b.jpg
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Cool detail inside under the fold out tray :
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4153/4...580abd4e_b.jpg
Nice job refurbing the toolbox. It looks great. Any idea how old it is? I put up some pictures of a Gerstner one of my customers gave me over in the toolbox thread. Curious to know when they went away from the aluminum Machinist Handbook drawer.
Thanks. The fellow I purchased this off of was a retired machinist and it was one of his fathers. There were a few for sale (Picked it up in Ma). I "think" it was from the 60's or 70's if I recall correctly - But the fathers father was apparently a machinist too. Long line of machinists. They still make a slightly similar version in their current Model No. 52. This one's center drawer is aluminum. (I did not realize that is specifically what the drawer is for...) My 18th edition fits snug as a bug in a rug. Very cool!
8th edition, eh? And I thought the 14th edition that was in Frank's box was old. Did you order the top handle from them yet? I love that you can get replacement parts.
I corrected my post - I accidentally missed the "1" in 18th... Apologies.
I have not ordered the top handle yet - I will most likely order it when I install heat in my shop. Too much temperature swings for my nice precision stuff to be down in there! I pull what I need for the day and then return it here in the home studio. The fact that they still offer replacement parts is cool indeed.
For the Discerning Cyclist: New 44 Custom Fit Handbook now online. Should make things a bit easier.
Download yours today and let's get started building you that ultimate build!
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