Kogswells were a series of 4-5 different frames (D, G, P, P/R off the top of my head) created and sold by a guy named Matthew Grimm. Designed by him in CA, built in Taiwan.
Yes, I guess I've got a nice parts bin
But the rules for parts-bin bikes are such that once you've been riding it for some arbitrary period of time, it's OK to start 'upgrading' parts. Since its original build, I added the stem riser (ugly, but the PO had cut the steerer and the bars were way too low for me), twiddled with stems to get reach and height right, swapped for a different set of bars in the bin, added some new Sora brifters (I know, it's Sora, make fun of me, but they cost me something like $15) - I haven't gotten around to cabling the front yet, so there's still the DT shifter there - added interrupter levers, switched from a mystery Sugino triple with a 12-28 to a 48-34 double and a 12-32, saddle was originally a Champion Pro but nothing beats a B17 for me so I picked up another broken-in one, and also replaced the wheelset and added the dynamo lighting. Bars are the only bars I could find with both ergo drops and some sweep on the top, which I really really like. Noodles are my favorite bars but I like the hooks on these better.
Original wheelset was DA740x/Mavic MA40 and then one of the rims failed (age) so I retired the wheelset and the guy who I bought the frame from offered me the wheelset he used to use on it for super-cheap so I bought that and added the spare B&M IQ Cyo that I had sitting around. Now everything I ride for commuting/transpo has dynamo lighting. Wheels are a 9-speed 105 rear hub and Shimano -71 dynohub with Velo Orange rims but I can't remember which ones without looking. Box section, double wall, polished. Tires are Jack Brown Green Labels, I think nominally 32mm but they're really more like 30mm. Biggest that will fit under the fenders. Annoyed that a front rack (I like rando bags) is difficult to fit as a Nitto Mark's Rack is pretty much the only thing that will work. I have a spare Velo Orange rack but the fork crown mount won't fit. My main bike has 650bx42mm tires on it and I wasn't sure I'd like 30mm on this bike but the tires are good and I'm happy with it. Not as zippy as GB Cypres, but good tires. As you can see, my riding conditions are not friendly to beige sidewalls
There is overlap, which is irritating but livable (I ride with cleats all the way back on the shoe). I would like to find another fork for it with slightly lower trail, eyeglass rack mounts and about 15mm more axle-to-crown.
I wanted something that split the difference between my Rawland, which is fantastic and super-versatile but a bit of a tank, and my Vendetta, which is my sports-car bike and a joy to ride but doesn't take weight well so I can't use it for transportation. This does a great job of that. Fun to ride, and still comfortable when you spend all day on it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by intakexhaust
^ Otter, you must have a fun parts bin to dig thru! First I've heard of this brand. Sounds like a British name but tell us more. Has a neat retro-mod appearance, comfy upright rider with variety of hand re-positioning.
Room to spare for mudguards and wide tires. What's the wheel and rubber set-up? Though looks close for possible toe overlap.
|