Wednesday, March 11, 2015



 I'll be trying out a machine shop down the street for a new headtube shape. I have plenty of 5.1"s but my 4.6"s are going to run out in a few months.


Monday, March 9, 2015

sand bikes

The Euro BB and Profile spindle kept the water out of my bottom bracket through six water crossings (BB fully submerged). The cranks were a different story. I'll have to do some water proofing in the pedal boss with yellow foam.

The cheap, neon orange Charge Spoon saddle looks bad and feels worse after a whole day's riding. I'll be looking for something with more support and tan/brownish. I'll probably give in and just get a Brooks Cambium, but I'm huff-and-puffing over the price- four times what I'd normally throw down for a seat.

Friday, March 6, 2015

Nova 12/142mm drops

Aside from the vestigial rack mounts, these 12mm thru axle dropouts look pretty decent. They come in three different thread options: Shimano, RS and DT Swiss. If I were to use these for a MTB, I'd probably shave the mounts off and strip the black off with some Greased  Lightning.

"I want a bookrack on my All-Mountain bike" or "I want a 12mm thru axle on my commuter" said no-one ever.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

 If the wind will die down for long enough I can get everything coated. Bars in queue for welding.
The square monostay is the easiest monostay to work with but its still far more time consuming than the typical "A" shaped chainstay.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

broke off

Bike Night

This action sports photographer Scott Raymond got some good shots of some guys on Stouts and affiliated brands:

https://www.facebook.com/RRPAction?fref=photo

Jason Harris handplant 180 the spine!
 Mikes first ride at the park on his trails Stout
 Willis jumps over a sad man with a beer and broke hands


An over rotation sent me to flat and left me with two bad wrists. Don't know how long I'll be out but I sprained or broke something in this left hand. I'll have to get someone out here to lift the powdercoat cart once the weather dries out.


I did manage to get some riding in on my 4.3" bars and the difference in stiffness over butted one-piece bars was immediately noticeable on the race track. I didn't realize it but the flex in the old butted bars killed my confidence when pulling up over doubles and rollers. I cleared a few doubles that I was hesitant to try with my old bars. Then I used that confidence to sink an eight foot putt, nailed my presentation at work and lost all the weight. I'm pretty stoked on these bars

                                     

                                     

Friday, February 13, 2015

 Gun blue (in strategic/vulnerable places) can prevent rust worms, especially with the thinner trans powder colors. The crushing forces of a stem and a brake lever usually open up the coat as soon as they are installed.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

 Some test bars (4.3"s), soon to be making some 5.9"s for this type of bike: Jacob's fixed freestyler

 This 22" BMX was supposed to have 10X110mm spacing but I forgot what I was doing and made a 10X135mm disc rear end. So I might have it for sale pretty soon 74.2* HA, 21.75 TT, 14" CS, 1.4" rise BB
 These are some fork legs that I have for trail MTB or tough commuter bikes. I have had requests for non-freestyle forks.