Mjolnir Cycles

[David Tollefson]

Stepping back a bit and doing some brazing practice. Also testing out a simulation for an ovalized downtube junction at the head tube, filing a miter without a guide. Will see how this cleans up, then cut it apart to check on complete penetration. More practice this weekend.
practice.jpg

[David Tollefson]

Latest build finished -- second gravel bike for myself. But there's a bit of backstory here...

This started out as the first attempt at building a gravel bike. Bit it didn't fit in the jig, so I brazed the BB to the seat tube, then set up the rest of the main triangle on the table with V-blocks. Something happened on the way, though, and the head tube ended up about a half-inch out of plane with the BB. I tried setting it, but broke the composite slate man-handling the thing. So I set it aside. For several months. In fact, I finished the second attempt.

Eventually I got a granite slab, and backed it with planks. I looked at this main triangle sitting on a peg, and thought, "What the heck, let's give it a go." Well, after not-too-much heaving, it came into alignment nicely. Now I'd never try to pass this much cold work to a customer, but I'll ride it for myself.

Bare main triangle.jpg

So here I had this second main triangle. I thought about what to do with it -- something wild and "out there"? I toyed with ideas, but ended up going with a gravel build, with more BB drop and longer chainstays than the finished build, and also the shorter fork. Brings the whole thing a little closer to the ground. It's not a 'cross bike.

Gravel Build Side.jpgGravel Build Front.jpgGravel Build Rear.jpg

I took it with me last night to the season kick-off meeting for the kids tri team that I help coach. One of the other coaches is a big 'cross rider, competes at the national level at adventure racing, all that. She looks at it and says "nice 'cross bike!" I had to point out the things that make it NOT a 'cross bike, but was kind of funny.

Anyway, that's how this one came to be. Still haven't taken it out on its maiden voyage yet.

[David Tollefson]

Crappy weather means crappy indoor pics... Will get better ones up when it's built. The green color kind of reminds me of the Incredible Hulk...
Green full.jpgGreen down.jpgGreen head.jpgGreen top.jpg

[David Tollefson]

Maiden voyage on the new Thor road bike. I've been on the gravel bikes all year, and after yesterday's Elbe Multi-Strada ride, today was a recovery day. This bike... So light, the rear end so stiff, the front end so smooth and stable... It all added up to speed. And with speed comes excitement, and it just feeds itself. I kept having to remind myself this was a recovery ride.
Full.jpg

One inch chainstays make the rear end of the bike.
Drive.jpg

Graphics...
Head tube.jpgTop and down.jpg

Seat cluster. Temporary brake on there, a Brew, until the old Ultegra single pivots come in. I just don't like the look of the dual pivots with narrow rims. And they stop just fine.
Seat cluster.jpg

With the only nod to weight-weenie-ism being the seat post (a cheap carbon job), it still tips the scales at just a hair over 18 lbs as shown. Not too shabby.

[David Tollefson]

Thor out on the road this morning, three plus hours into the Cascades and back.
Thor over the Carbon River.jpg

[David Tollefson]

Construction complete on a 650c tri bike. Very steep STA, slack HTA. Post color spray, prior to clear coat. Will post more of the partial build (wheels, bars, saddle/post, etc).

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Chainstay mounted brake, cable runs at the 10 o'clock on the downtube.
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[David Tollefson]

I was pleasantly surprised to see my bikes featured so prominently in the Oregonian photo spread from the Oregon Handmade Bike and Beer Festival.

I had my daughter's push bike leaned up against my all-road, matching paint schemes... Generated a lot of attention. Great show, great people.

[David Tollefson]

Been a while since I've posted on my SO. Not to say I haven't kept myself busy...

Another kick bike ready for color.
kick bike 2.jpg

A SS-MTB in work. Bi-oval down tube miter.
bi-oval.jpg

And ovalizing the top tube at the seat tube junction.
TT-ST.jpg

I also attended the grand opening of Green River Cyclery and Busted Bike Cafe on Friday last week.
GRB.jpg
Ribbon.jpg

A blog write-up with some more pics of the shop: Green River Cyclery and Busted Bike Cafe

[David Tollefson]

Custom size, no matter what your size. Kick bike finished.
Kick Bike 3.jpgKick Bike 2.jpgKick Bike 1.jpg

[David Tollefson]

A very satisfied customer.

https://www.facebook.com/david.tolle...8698213593618/

[Diablo de Acero]

That is awesome! Great first bike.

[David Tollefson]

Hard-tail MTB ready for final prep and build. Dedicated single speed, will sport road cranks and drop bars, 26" MTB wheels/tires. Had some fun with the two-color pint scheme and highlighted graphics.

[David Tollefson]

Whosoever.jpg

[David Tollefson]

Built and ridden.
By the door.jpgOn the fence.jpg

[David Tollefson]

A happy customer.

bike love.jpg

[David Tollefson]

Single-speed monster-crosser. My lunchtime trail mobile.

Handmade all the way. Handmade bike, handmade trail.
Handmade.jpg

Well the oaks can't help their feelings if they like the way they're made... (Niel Peart)
Oak.jpg

[David Tollefson]

Road disc frame and fork fresh from the painter. Yes, the steerer was painted, which I will have to strip before delivery. Just one of a few remaining steps to the final preparation. Low-light crappy cell phone pic below:

road disc.jpg

[David Tollefson]

More and (hopefully) better shots:
road disc BB.jpgroad disc fork crown.jpgroad disc fork tips.jpgroad disc from the back.jpgroad disc head tube.jpgroad disc seat cluster.jpgroad disc side.jpgroad disc top quarter.jpgroad disc top tube.jpg

And the happy customer.

road disc happy customer.jpg

[mzilliox]

More and (hopefully) better shots:
road disc BB.jpgroad disc fork crown.jpgroad disc fork tips.jpgroad disc from the back.jpgroad disc head tube.jpgroad disc seat cluster.jpgroad disc side.jpgroad disc top quarter.jpgroad disc top tube.jpg

And the happy customer.

road disc happy customer.jpg

cool rasta bike, but im really digging that Thor!!! love the green color and name

[David Tollefson]

cool rasta bike, but im really digging that Thor!!! love the green color and name

Thanks! It's actually modeled after the Ethiopian flag, though the colors are shared by many flags, so I've found. This was my first build using the Gus Salmon decals. Those things just disappear under the clear coat -- no edges.