Homage to the Bridgestone MB-1

 This customer has been riding a Bridgestone MB-1 for nearly 30 years. He decided that it was time to replace it with a 29er but he didn't feel the need for a new look-rather a more sentimental look. I had nothing to do with the paint scheme but I think it might be a stroke of genius-more people heve been talking about this bike than anything I have built in quite some time.

 This is a steel 29er with all XT equipment , shop built wheels, Fox fork and Easton post,stem and bar.

'cross frame for Florida with all the trimmings

 There's a lot of options on this frame. For one, there's the ability to use two different brake systems. Also, the bike will be happy geared or single speed. Racks and/or fenders can be mounted.

 The pearl white panels are another option. In sort, this is kind of a do-anything bike. The cantilever brake bosses can be removed when the bike is set up with disc brakes.

More photos of the lugged frame in process

 I used my nicest hardware on this one. I'm nearly done but I was short a couple of braze-ons for the gear cables. I had to order them and it will delay completion of the frame until Monday.

 I bronze brazed the seat lug and seat stays. I always do this as I want everything to hold together for many many years. It is a challenge to braze this cleanly , especially for a guy who has not built a lugged frame for a few years.

I'm pretty sure that this is the most refined frame of its kind that I have built. It is simple and clean but there was a ton of filing on the lugs prior to brazing . I really am enjoying the process of putting this one together.

Lugged frame......continued.

 Today was 'complete the front triangle' day. I normally can put together a tig welded front end in a couple of hours. This was an all day job and really, I had started it yesterday !

Fitting does not take that much time......that is until you add the lugs. The angles are seldom correct so some persuasion is needed-a bit of blacksmithing to get the lugs to cooperate. 

 The other part of the equation is all the filing to make the lugs thin and elegant. This is not something needed for structural purposes but if someone is paying me to make a lugged frame, I owe them some elbow grease as part of the deal.

 I got a nice cut on my right hand from this little bastard......all part of the experience.

Here's the final fit up. Now it is a bit of prep and then light the torch.

Lugged frame started

 Every micron of the surface of these lugs will be sculpted. I'm not looking to change the look of the lugs, only to refine it. These lugs actually have a pretty nice look out of the box but if someone is paying me to build a frame like this I feel duty bound to really spend the time to make it as nice as I can. this frame will take about 3-4 times the labor of a welded frame and I will devote most of this week to getting it together.

 This is the final fit up before brazing. I'm using some silver on this lug but will use bronze on the seat lug and some of the other attachments. The fit of the tubes in the lug is pretty nice-just right for silver solder. I burnt a bit of the flux......it has been a few years since I have brazed lugs. Removal of the flux will reveal how good a job I did.

First batch of summer aluminum ready to ship

This is what a few weeks in the shop looks like in a pile. I boxed them all up to send to the heat treater yesterday. These frames are mostly 'cross but there are a few road frames as well. I'll start another batch in a week.

CX frame for a new addition to the team

 I used to race against this rider years ago. More accurately, when I started CX racing, this particular rider used to lap me nearly every weekend. I was always impressed with how natural he looked in an event where most people were visibly uncomfortable and struggling. He's one of those racers who makes it look easy.

 He never raced on anything but steel bikes. Now he will have this frame, a 7005 Eaton ultralite 2 lb. 15 oz. version. I really hope it feels like something that he can return to racing on after a several year layoff . Most likely this will have a single chainring with double guards, hence the extra crimp on the drive side chain stay.

This frame is made with the lightest tube set I currently offer and is only a few ounces heavier than the scandium version of years past. No I get to ride in a supportive role for this rider......I hope I can just stay out of his way !