25 September, 2012

Campeur Frames Are Here

The VO Campeur frames are finally here. It's taken a lot to make these, including almost a year of testing. We rode the campeur with front loads, with rear loads, with mixed loads, and with no load. We tried four different forks to get the best possible handling.

The Campeur, as the name suggests, is a touring bike for paved, or unpaved, roads. It can carry a substantial load for long unsupported trips, yet handles beautifully even with no load. In fact, it makes a nice gravel racer.

Here are some of the highlights and specs:
    • 4130 double butted chrome-molly frame and fork.
    • 1" fork with lovely French-style bend. Uses a traditional quill stem (or adapter and threadless-style stem).
    • 700c wheel size.
    • Clearance for 38mm tires with fenders. 
    • Canti brake bosses. Seatstay cable stop with adjuster.
    • Vertical dropouts with double eyelets front and rear.
    • Fender bosses under fork crown, at seat stay bridge, and at chain stay bridge for easy fender mounting.
    • Three water bottle cage mounts.
    • Lowrider through bosses and seat stay rack eyelets
    • Pump peg.
    • Kickstand plate, because touring bikes should stand up.
    • Metal head badge. Top tube decal by artist Dan Price.

24 comments:

John Hanson said...

I think you just made my dream (modern affordable) frame. So many options here, and so much class. do you anticipate offering this as a kit? Or perhaps as a complete?

JP said...

Awesome! Can you speak a bit to how it compares to your other bikes in terms of fit and handling? Where does it fit in the lineup? It may not be appropriate to compare it with other brands, but I'd certainly be interested in how it compares with the usual suspects, in your mind at least.

I'm 6' tall, with very long legs and short torso (my seat is usually at least as high if not higher than for people in the 6'2"-6'3" range), and I like to get the bars decently high and back so I'm not in a super racey position. Think this would be a good match? Thanks!

Chad said...

The website does not list the wheel size. Seems important to me :)

It looks very nice. Good job!

Piretti said...

I'd be interested to hear if there was a kit. @ Chad - I believe they're 700c wheels.

VeloOrange said...

Yep, 700c wheels.

There will eventually be a build kit, but probably not for a few weeks (or longer); we're waiting for a container with parts.

Anonymous said...

Will you be offering frames in anything bigger than a 61cm? It seems like I saw a post awhile back that said you would offer a 63cm.

Blogan said...

That is one lovely headbadge! Actually the entire frame is gorgeous. Looks like it would be the perfect option for those considering a Long Haul Trucker who might prefer something with a more "classic" appearance. Plus, if it rides nicely without a load then it's already got a leg up on my LHT.

Dana said...

I'm not sorry I waited, and on the unsupported hope for a larger frame I will wait some more, but Surly's 64cm LHT is tempting. I'm with anonymous, I'd like a larger frame.

s said...

What's the rear spacing? 132.5?

Anonymous said...

Beautiful frame. Are the decals removable or are they under clear-coat?

VeloOrange said...

The rear spacing is 135mm and the decals are under a clear coat.

Matteo said...

This looks just like my '84 Fuji Touring Series IV, the three bottle cages, the braze ons for cantilever brakes, the geometry looks similar, fork rake. But the Fuji has one more braze on, on the left chain stay to hold two extra spokes.

Amos said...

A minor critique of an otherwise beautiful and functional frame: the "campeur" decal looks really out-of-place, and stylistically is at odds with the downtube logo and headbadge. These three elements together are distracting; they make things a bit busy.

Spearman said...

No frame size larger than 61cm? Really? Exasperating.

I would sincerely appreciate hearing why there are so few options for people who ride 63-65 cm frames. Ideally someone would address both the dearth of such large-ish frames in the new frame/ complete bike market AND why VO is not offering one in this new and awesome looking frame.

People say try the LHT. I don't want a Long Haul Trucker, for a variety of (to me) good reasons. I do however really want to try this low trail geometry you guys do such a great job marketing.

What gives?
Thanks.

ha1ku said...

Wah. No frames for short people.

VeloOrange said...

The problem with tall and short frames is that we can't seem to sell them. Those are the sizes that are always left over. And the factory won't accept an order for only 5 or 10 frames of a particular size. But if these frames sell fast we'll get a 63cm on the next production run.

dana said...

For 63, or better yet 65, I'll wait more.

Marcin S. said...

I might be in minority here but would really like to have a threadless fork as an option. Is there any chance for that?

VeloOrange said...

Marcin- We only offer a 1 inch threaded fork for the campeur

Hobbes vs Boyle said...

Another vote for larger frames. Being 6'6" in the US sucks if you can't afford custom bikes :-(

Spearman said...

Regarding tall and short frames:

Thanks for your response. As for large sizes not selling, I'm sure you've thought of this, but what about taking pre-orders for certain sizes? I know I would be keenly interested in a 63/64/65cm frame and would select based on the planned top tube length...
At this point you have an excellent reputation for getting your particular kind of frame just right. Awesome. So, if you would do pre-orders on 63/64/65cm frames with your mythical next generation "Pass Hunter" road frame, I would sign up in a second.
Soma and Surly and BD are the only people I know who do these larger sizes in a "production" frame. Surely there's a more diverse market out there, and it's just a question of harnessing it economically?

Thanks again!
JS

Unknown said...

Looks great! is VO going to get more stock on those dia compe stoker handles? I would love a set of those!

VeloOrange said...

We'll have more of the Dia Compe knob grips, but maybe not for a couple of months.

Anonymous said...

I am curious about the sizing, is the top tube a bit long on these? Is that typical on a touring bike?

I normally ride a 59 to 60 cm frame, but the top tube length is more like ~ 57 cm on present bikes.

I am stuck on what the proper size that would work for me. 5'10", PBH (barefoot) = 84.5cm, saddle height typically set to ~ 75 cm.