Any bike builders? Here my first new bike build: 2021 Ritchey Ascent!

[aigel]

Originally Posted by ErVikingo

Have tried the Lauf forks? Interesting concept for limited travel. My brother had one on an Ellsworth.

No, I haven't used them. Intriguing design! Maybe on my next build!?

[aigel]

Originally Posted by David

ting "turbo" on the seat back then? Who would put turbo on something that has no turbo?

Nice wall art! I had that saddle, first in black and then in white, in the 80s of course. In Europe that was the heyday of go fast turbo cars, so it seemed natural to call anything fast "turbo".

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by aigel

No, I haven't used them. Intriguing design! Maybe on my next build!?

60mm of travel without the weight of the suspension fork!

[fanaudical]

(Reposting this from the "Ultimate Bike Thread"):

Here's my pandemic bike "build", completed last March:



A friend gave me an old Kona cyclocross frame. I stripped and repainted it, spent a few months finding parts, and built myself a "trail bike". I probably spent more than just finding a good used bike, but at least I got what I wanted with few compromises. This is the first "new" upright bike I've had in 30+ years - my "regular" bike is a recumbent.

2x9 drive train (30/46 crankset, 12/36 cassette) on 700c wheels, cantilever brakes, bar-end shifters, lifted bars - It's comfortable and has been getting me riding again with some off-road adventures. I love the recumbent, but have gotten very wary of riding in traffic.

Here is my last "real" build:





This is one I built ~2001 (including frame fabrication). Geometry is similar to a Lightning P-38. I used to be fast and commute frequently; too many bad close-calls a few years ago combined with increasing traffic where I live have made me stop commuting to work.

I built this one specifically for commuting with vehicle traffic. Seat position is high enough I can look drivers of cars in the eye. Steering geometry is "quick" and front shock for bad roads. Extended front derailleur tube and accessory bar to put the headlight up high to "spotlight" drivers if needed. It's fast on flats and downhill. Not too bad up hill (back when I was in shape and could spin under load). Wheel loading is set up so that it handles best with a couple panniers and some gear on the rack.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Here's a pre-covid 2019 build.




Endless bliss:

[fanaudical]

Aigel - Very cool build - How do you like the 1x drive train? I was kind of dubious of the effectiveness of a 2x drive train based on a 30/46 crank, but am now sold.

Leakseals - Great look on that bike, I like the leather! And it looks "all day" comfy!

I had to look up the Lauf forks - very interesting.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

(Reposting this from the "Ultimate Bike Thread"):


This is one I built ~2001 (including frame fabrication). Geometry is similar to a Lightning P-38. I used to be fast and commute frequently; too many bad close-calls a few years ago combined with increasing traffic where I live have made me stop commuting to work.

I built this one specifically for commuting with vehicle traffic. Seat position is high enough I can look drivers of cars in the eye. Steering geometry is "quick" and front shock for bad roads. Extended front derailleur tube and accessory bar to put the headlight up high to "spotlight" drivers if needed. It's fast on flats and downhill. Not too bad up hill (back when I was in shape and could spin under load). Wheel loading is set up so that it handles best with a couple panniers and some gear on the rack.

You built the entire frame? That is amazing. You should build an updated version with newer components. A lot happened since!

G

[aigel]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

Here's a pre-covid 2019 build.

So cool! I love the leather bag!

[aigel]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

Aigel - Very cool build - How do you like the 1x drive train? I was kind of dubious of the effectiveness of a 2x drive train based on a 30/46 crank, but am now sold.

Leakseals - Great look on that bike, I like the leather! And it looks "all day" comfy!

I had to look up the Lauf forks - very interesting.

The 1x12 is awesome. It shifts really well and you can keep the power on while shifting. Also, you can shift up/down very fast. I would have thought that'd be a problem compared to dropping it to the smaller ring up front really quick when there is a surprise climb. You can shift down to a lower gear just as fast on the 1x12. The range on the Shimano is 510 %. I run a 32 up front, and the rear is 10-51. The spacing is pretty tight in the middle where you'd cruise the most and then larger spaced in the extremes. I can only recommend it, another advantage is that anyone can shift a 1x12 while a 2x? or 3x? will always be challenging for some riders, not to cross the chain (from smallest cog front to small cog back or vice versa).
Last but not least, you'd think with 12 gears next to each other, the chain will not be happy on the extremes, but it is engineered well, it goes right across to both extremes and runs smoothly, even though it looks pretty horrible.

G

[fanaudical]

Thanks for the thoughts on the 1x setup. Chain angle on some of those does look awful...

The only upgrade I really wish I had on my recumbent is disc brakes. I like the 3x9 setup. Recumbents are a little different in that you are always hunting for that perfect gear. A few more choices are always helpful. Maybe 3x10 or 3x11 would be beneficial. Chain angle is never a problem. I have been contemplating building a dual 559 wheel recumbent with lauf-style suspension...and maybe a carbon frame.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

...Recumbents are a little different in that you are always hunting for that perfect gear. A few more choices are always helpful. Maybe 3x10 or 3x11 would be beneficial. Chain angle is never a problem...

My friend jyl has contemplated an internal 7 speed hub with a derailleur combination; I'll bet that would open up some combinations!

[fanaudical]

Yes, and that has been done on several recumbents. Lots of combos but not necessarily lots of gear range without a 2x or 3x crank up front.

[sc_rufctr]

Nice build Aigel... I've been into bikes longer than I can remember!

[Otter74]

Wow - 52t cassettes really redefine ‘pie plate’. I like seeing a curved steel fork, even if the curve isn’t very pretty. Straight-blade forks give me the sads. I build most of my bikes but just noticed this thread - I’ll contribute once I’m home and have pictures and time.