My latest 650b low trail fredmobile for the peanut gallery

[blasdelf]

only a little wandering at slow speeds, no shimmy at 45+ mph on long descents, but I did notice that my arms were tired on day 2. I may be wrong, but I attributed it to the moderate front load on the front-end of a cx bike. Does "low-trail" help with upper body stamina over multiple days?

You nailed it!

On a higher trail bike when you straighten the bars you're also picking up the front load (even if it's in lowrider panniers), and it really tires out your arms over time. A proper low trail setup doesn't get that at all, if anything it's easier to handle with more load.

[dogrange]

Hey Fred, still pondering your rig. Any opinions on using through-axles instead of the QR standard dropouts, assuming one were looking at using the new Shimano hydraulic road brakes on one's build . . .

[lemonlaug]

I want a picture of it towing another bike off the rear rack (if that's in fact what it's for), that looks so awesome!

[blasdelf]

I want a picture of it towing another bike off the rear rack (if that's in fact what it's for), that looks so awesome!

lol I totally forgot about it tonight, was riding home from the machine shop with a frameset over my shoulder

the Cat6 race I got caught up in would've been more fun with it trailing behind me!

[blasdelf]

Any opinions on using through-axles instead of the QR standard dropouts

There's no point whatsoever in building a steel road fork with a thru-axle

In carbon you could theoretically take advantage of the torsional stiffness to make the blades supple without braking problems (though most of them so far are doing the opposite)

In steel you don't have braking twist normally, and if you underbuild the blades you'll canopener them with the disc tab!

[TexPat]

Love this bike. Looks moto without looking moto.
Also like seeing a photo of Whidbey Island, where my sister lives. Great place for rolling on two wheels.

[EricKeller]

In steel you don't have braking twist normally, and if you underbuild the blades you'll canopener them with the disc tab!

what blades are you using on this bike?

[blasdelf]

what blades are you using on this bike?

NOVA CRMO ROAD 25.4 OVAL 0.9/0.6 :: FORK BLADES :: TUBES STEEL :: Nova Cycles Supply Inc.

they're the traditional road butting, but very slightly oversized in the oval section to fit an odd fork crown: NOVA CYCLE X FORK CROWN "old school" 70mm width

[blasdelf]

OK, what clamps to the axle ends?

[Nierman]

How does that handle? I'm planning something similar towing my single speed for an autumn palindrome s24o: road>mtb>eat>camp>eat>mtb>road

[Zandr Martin]

there's just so much in this photo. so much.

[dogrange]

there's just so much in this photo. so much.

Yes, I applaud Fred's attempts to single-handedly lighten up Seattle's drabness.

[Matthew J]

Yes, I applaud Fred's attempts to single-handedly lighten up Seattle's drabness.

Highland Park last Sunday could have been Seattle. Rode up from the city without sunscreen or sunglasses!

[blasdelf]

How does that handle?

It was a bit of a deathtrap on the first descent: Instagram - The essence of Fred distilled

That was from the rack bolts bedding into the powdercoat when presented with a shitload of new torque, it calmed down dramatically after being tightened down and the trailing cranks stopped autorotating.

It doesn't respond well AT ALL to standing or sprinting, but just pedaling consistent circles it got up on plane and I was motoring along maintaining 20+ no problem. Smooth residential speedbumps are no problem, but square edged stuff makes the trailer bounce, and adding a spring to the system would probably just make it want to jackknife.

It would probably be a lot easier to ride (especially getting started) if the tractor bike was turdly stiff and high trail, but then it wouldn't be as fun or fast

I'm planning something similar towing my single speed for an autumn palindrome s24o: road>mtb>eat>camp>eat>mtb>road

the traditional way to do that is with an xtracycle

but you can make an ersatz version of my hitch by u-bolting a front hub to a normal rear rack

[rmplum]

So after some poking around on Elephant's website, what came first - the cow or the NFE?

CUSTOM

Very cool rig and I've enjoyed this thread and the no BS, do what works methodology. Also, Moooooo.

[thomas]

Jeez, I just browsed through this thread for the first time.

Now I'm wondering what planet I'm on.

[WMdeR]

Hi, All,

Zombie Thread Revival for a Banned (absent?) former member.

Here's to you flaky Northwest elfin dude:

mango_bike.jpg

Missing its house-built handlebar bag and bar tape (that will be black, y'all), and looking forward to the Kelpie Kampout this September (and a set of Kelpie Fenders, now in heat-treatment).

Miss you Fred. You widened the world in this tiny corner of the innertubes.

Cheers, and thank you Colin Pinney @Kelpiecycles for putting this one together. It is as close to magic as an off-road machine comes.

Best Regards,

Will

[lumpy]

That's super tasty, and I second all your sentiments. Looking forward to a ride report.

[dogrange]

That's super tasty, and I second all your sentiments. Looking forward to a ride report.

Thirded. Bike is OTT cool, also excited to hear ride report.

[Jon w/ sash]

The, ahem, drive-side and other photos: Instagram