Steel 29er with 142 MM through axle

Paragon Machine works makes so interesting hardware for frame building, some of it is really cutting edge for the steel frame builder. This is the second set of these dropouts that I have used-lucky for me my Anvil jig was easily adapted with a bit of new hardware to build this new style rear end.

The bike will have a 100 MM Fox fork -a straight steerer to start with but there will be the option in the future of changing out the lower part of the headset to run a tapered steerer. I have heard people use the phrase : " future proofing" regarding having a frame built that will hopefully weather the storm of changing component standards......

The bike will hopefully see some wilderness endurance events in the future. It has a long top tube and should be a smooth and stable ride-good thing to have when you are riding at night and can't always see what you are running over.

CX disc frame and fork for a 4' 10 1/2" rider

 These are always the most challenging bikes to build. Fortunately I have built a number of them and was able to construct this one in a way that should make it a lot of fun for the rider.

The disc brakes simplified the cable run so that I did not have to worry about the tight room at the top of the tire for canitlever brakes. Also, the outward spread of rim brakes was not an issue for heel room on this bike.

The reverse bend top tube is a way to get more standover and the cable guides are underneath the top tube to gain a little more room . Since this bike will probably not be raced the shouldering room required for a race bike will not be needed. At 3 lb. 12 oz , this is a very light steel frame an should be lots of fun in the forest.

Adventure disc brake CX frame for the Sierra foothills

 The owner of this frame might really get way out in the wilderness so it is built for some rugged riding.

 Not a race bike, this one is more of a trail bike for the remote areas of the central Sierra mountains. The fork has the new Paragon machine works tapered steel steerer. I am making more use of this part as of late.

I didn't need to go too heavy on the steel in this one as the rider is only about 140 lbs. Still, it is not a flywieght machine with the big head tube and burly fork. Should be a fun ride.

The making of Scnozola # 1

 This last weekend I ventured about 110 miles north to complete a couple of frames with Bruce Gordon. This collaboration will be unique in the bicycle framebuilding world....two old guys with about 70 + years frame building experience between them constructing a new brand of bike : "Schnozola"-this big tire ride anywhere bike will be debuting this summer. # 1 is already sold to Jeff Traugott a guitar builder who beats the crap out of bikes every day of the week. He has always wanted something on the order of a drop-bar mountain bike and now he will have it.

 Here's number one on the welding table. It was mitered and tacked here in Santa Cruz , then transported to Petaluma to Bruce's shop for full welding. Bruce did the braze ons and final alignment and will be powdercoating the frame in the coming week.

 Here's Bruce fitting a zip-tie guide for the disc brake-that's right.....big wheels need big stopping power.

Ross Shafer  stopped by to see what the heck is going on ........a Kosher bike ? Where's the rabbi ? 

 Here's Bruce fitting up the second frame of the weekend.....what ? A second one ??  Oy, so much for the say off on Easter Sunday. Fortunately it didn't take long to weld the # 2 bike up so we got in a bike ride before I had to brave the traffic home.

 Here's the drawing for # 2, a bike for the photographer who will be overhauling Bruce's website photos.

 # 1 with all the braze ons , blasted and nearly ready for paint.

 # 2 getting finished up on the welding table. Lucky for me, Bruce has a Miller Syncrowave 250-nearly the identical rig that I have in my shop. Still, it is always a bit nervous welding in someone else's shop-at least I didn't burn the place down.

 Here's Bruce fitting the rear disc mount-hand filed in the olde worlde traditione.

 Schnoz-1 , that's the serial number on the very first Schnozola bike. You might ask, " Why schnozola ?"  Because the air is free........

 The picnic bench in front of Bruce Gordon cycles is made up of bicycle frames-some of these frames would sorrow some Bridgestone collectors.....worry not-they were all broken before they were used in this project.

Stay tuned for pictures of the completed fully built bike and more detailed info about Schnozola.....it isn't a joke-it's a bike.

Single speed CX frame for San Fransisco

 The tubes are very light steel on this one-about as light as I dare go for a frame that will see full seasons of 'cross racing in Nor-Cal.

The downtube is True temper S-3. The top tube and rear stays are Columbus Life. The headtube is for a 1 1/8" steerer and the bike will have cantilevers so this one isn't as much cutting edge as it is traditional. 

The Paul's dropouts will have adjuster screws and the bike will be fitted with a Ritchey carbon fork. I have a number of bikes out there with this tubeset and it gets consistently good remarks from the riders. Maybe my next road frame will have this set.

New book on bicycle framebuilders

Here's a new book that is a must have for any fan of custom bikes and/or builders. I got my copy from Amazon but I'm sure there are lots of sources. The builder list is extensive with shops from all over the globe. 

 Heck, even I am in there ! Check it out-it is the ultimate coffee table custom bike book and it is new and available now.

Prototype Dedaccai aluminum road frame

 I'll be riding this one locally as will maybe a couple other folks. The tubeset is one I have had sitting in a box for several years , left over from a project that never got started. I figured that I should turn the tubes into something rather than let them sit unused for eternity. I'll be building a few odd frames every year if I have the chance. It is an opportunity for me to be creative, challenged and best of all-it creates more room on the shelves for new tubing.

 At a later date I might add some holes for DI II routing. For now it will just be built up with whatever I have on hand. The frame is a scant 2 lb. 4.1 oz. without the seatmast topper. This might be the lightest road frame I have built in this size-equivalent to a 55 cm.

The chanstays and seat stays are rectangular.....not sure why but the will have nice surfaces for decals. The headset will be in integrated for a 1 1/8" steerer. At a few years old some of this tubeset is already out of date !