Back to the subject at hand
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4909/...79d8dcb9_b.jpg
Chainstays_Installed
Chainstays and dropouts installed and aligned.
The one and only time they will be done this way: I really need to simplify this part of the process. Fortunately the lessons learnt in the last weeks should lead there.
Re: Back to the subject at hand
It's been a long time coming
After many reverses, this frame is finished.
The one and only time this joining technique will be used, it's an utter PITA.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...44c2fd2a_b.jpg
Full
On the other hand, I think I can claim this to be the lightest "woody" ever made.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c38d7db2_b.jpg
lightest
Re: It's been a long time coming
Never has the name of this section been so appropriate.
I’ve been smoked out, literally.
If you’ve read the thread on the Australian fires this will be familiar to you but to spell it out: the winery for which I work is in one of the worst affected fire zones and the smoke residue in our grapes renders them unusable.
That’s my main source of income gone for an entire year. The upside is I now have more time to make bikes. If I can sell some bikes, I’ll get through this.
Since I’m crap at marketing, I’m appealing to salonistas to help me out here.
All suggestions welcome, help spread the word, get this out to potential markets, etc etc.
PS Yes, I asked the powers that be whether this would be OK before I posted.
Re: Never has the name of this section been so appropriate.
Well first of all, good luck.
Secondly, to be crystal clear, you are free to use any and all photos from the build of of my frame, and any photos I’ve taken of the build... you’re welcome to them, and if you want anymore, or just better ones, please ask!
Practically, since your bikes are awesome you need to update your website, your facebook page and god forbid get some stuff on instagram. They are dated...shall we say.
Then there are the handmade bikeshows. Sounds like you are sorted for the Melbourne show, if you are interested in the tiny Sydney one (i forget it’s name) and want a bike let me know!
I think it would be worth trying to get a bike reviewed in one or all of the Aussie bike mags. Again, i’m happy to be lending the bike.
And then Cycling Tips and the Radavist? But I imagine Rich is better connected throughout the industry. I’ve got no connections, but I’m happy to let people try the bike!
Ooh, and start actually invoicing deposits and progress payments - working capital shouldn’t be coming out of your savings - that’s not right.
Re: It's been a long time coming
Hi Mark,
Can you tell us more about the carbon dropouts in FNL?
Re: It's been a long time coming
More info coming next week when they get used for their intended purpose.
The idea came to me when I read James Huang's description of his Seven on Cycling Tips "Bikes of the Bunch".
I contacted Mark Norstad at Paragon Machine Works and he graciously allowed me to use his design, even refusing an offer of a royalty payment. I am, of course, buying the inserts from PMW.
My wife's bike was badly damaged when it came off the top of the car on the freeway and I decided that rather than repair her existing frame I'd build a new one. The times being what they are I am using everything I can salvage, including QR wheels and post mount brake calipers, but don't want to limit the options for a future upgrade to through axles and flat mount brakes.
As James Huang pointed out, the polydrops future proof the build as much as is possible. I'm also working on a design that uses PMW's "Bolt On Brake Inserts" for another bike, that also looks very promising: again I'm doing the frame parts in carbon and bolting on inserts purchased from PMW.
Re: It's been a long time coming
Sorry I forgot the VS link thingy is busted.
Cycling Tips: cyclingtips.com/2020/07/bikes-of-the-staff-bunch-james-huangs-seven-evergreen-pro
PMW BOBI: paragonmachineworks.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=bolt+on+brake+inserts
You'll have to do a manual cut and paste, if I add the www to the link the forum software automagically effs it up.
Re: It's been a long time coming
Thank you. That’s cool. The dropouts I mean. Not the bike coming off the car. That’s specifically not cool.