tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post7012419635331932326..comments2024-03-18T10:19:55.782-04:00Comments on The Velo ORANGE Blog: Taipei Cycle Show Update #2Velo Orangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02835615331417822722noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-43821714617381975622009-04-13T13:24:00.000-04:002009-04-13T13:24:00.000-04:00I want those bars!!!I want those bars!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-60414034851510092282009-03-29T13:51:00.000-04:002009-03-29T13:51:00.000-04:00Whether or not it's attractive, I really take issu...Whether or not it's attractive, I really take issue with chrome plating where it's not absolutely necessary. A quality chrome-plating job is simply hell on the environment. <BR/><BR/>In the case of bicycle parts, nicely polished alloy components look just about as good. Now that I understand it better, it baffles me why so many parts are clearcoated and/or anodized. The clearcoating looks like hell as it gets chipped and wears. I've found that reasonably well-polished alloy bit don't have corrosion problems at all.Dadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09016373487910801383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-77118311944525406522009-03-24T10:57:00.000-04:002009-03-24T10:57:00.000-04:00I really really like the fillet brazed stem.I really really like the fillet brazed stem.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11777627222904903651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-16364256330119291742009-03-24T01:41:00.000-04:002009-03-24T01:41:00.000-04:00The Syntace F139 is a rather beautiful stem. It's...The Syntace F139 is a rather beautiful stem. It's the most polished thing on my bike after the TA chainrings. The transition from the clamp area to the extension is well-executed. The handlebar clamp is 25.4mm, so you don't need a shim for Nitto bars. Plus, it's 130g.<BR/>The faceplate is two black pieces though, and the design is such that you can still see into the stem after mounting a handlebar.Jay Shahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743343838079516256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-76704381057863317152009-03-23T22:28:00.000-04:002009-03-23T22:28:00.000-04:00Mmmmm chrome lugged stem.Mmmmm chrome lugged stem.Steve Fullerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04000254083516026697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-16144585295164533552009-03-23T21:03:00.000-04:002009-03-23T21:03:00.000-04:00Another vote for the adjustable quill stem. The Al...Another vote for the adjustable quill stem. The Al clamp will likely polish up alright, and with the clamp flipped so the bars are above the extension you won't have as much quill poking out.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps a second clamp of some description could fit in front of the one holding the bars so us rando folk can mount lights, gps, mace, lightning rods etc.<BR/><BR/>Cheers<BR/><BR/>StevyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-30650675085060739482009-03-23T10:41:00.000-04:002009-03-23T10:41:00.000-04:00if the price was right I would buy the light, silv...if the price was right I would buy the light, silver of courseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-1522979802385796972009-03-23T09:46:00.000-04:002009-03-23T09:46:00.000-04:00strange double post, did I hit the button twice???...strange double post, did I hit the button twice??? oh well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-64187981596837334282009-03-23T09:45:00.001-04:002009-03-23T09:45:00.001-04:00Both quill and threadless work fine. I use both. B...Both quill and threadless work fine. I use both. Both can be problematic, like anything else. A fillet brazed stem is a lovely, durable, and acceptably light component which is a perfect match for a steel frame. And it will still look new long after most alloy parts bite the dust, just as a great steel frame will most likely have longer service life than a great alloy frame. Many of us will happily buy them. <BR/>michael whiteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-11136310551954914372009-03-23T09:45:00.000-04:002009-03-23T09:45:00.000-04:00Both quill and threadless work fine. I use both. B...Both quill and threadless work fine. I use both. Both can be problematic, like anything else. A fillet brazed stem is a lovely, durable, and acceptably light component which is a perfect match for a steel frame. And it will still look new long after most alloy parts bite the dust, just as a great steel frame will most likely have longer service life than a great alloy frame. Many of us will happily buy them. <BR/>michael whiteAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-21052306342089427192009-03-23T09:23:00.000-04:002009-03-23T09:23:00.000-04:00Garth wrote:Concerning the threadless stems. I don...Garth wrote:<BR/><I>Concerning the threadless stems. I don't understand why they persist. My Jamis Aurora came with that, and w/o thinking, I though it was cool. Until I wanted to raise the bars. What a nightmare. I ended up buying a whole new fork!</I><BR/><BR/>The Auroras, like Surlys, come with a fairly long uncut fork with a good 3" of spacers. If the shop hadn't monkeyed with it, adjusting the bar height would have been trivial, requiring a single hex wrench.<BR/><BR/>However, if you wanted silly Rivendell height bars, instead of bars level to the saddle--which is easy on the Auroras--it doesn't matter which system you started with--you'd have to replace the stem in the threaded case, and use a raiser or extreme rise stem with the threadless.<BR/><BR/>You story simply sounds like either you got sold a bike that was too small, your shop unnecessarily cut the steer tube to make the bike look racy on the sales floor, or you have an extreme preference for bar height that would challenge either system.<BR/><BR/>Threadless saves the industry money, is dead simple, strong, and adjusts with no special wrenches. Adjust it on the road, and never fear another frozen wedge. Quills are fine and good for folks that enjoy the looks, but that's the reason to prefer them these days, not from technical merit. And there's nothing wrong with an aesthetic preference. ;-)<BR/><BR/>I am very glad that VO is getting some pretty silver threadless models onto the market, the main problem with threadless was the overwhelming representation of the color black.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06636707304628067424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-50190638182538774102009-03-23T08:45:00.000-04:002009-03-23T08:45:00.000-04:00An anonymous poster asks:Again I ask: why in the w...An anonymous poster asks:<BR/><I><BR/>Again I ask: why in the world would you ever want such a part? I don't know how many of you have ever fillet brazed, but once you know how to braze reasonably well all that is required to create a nice fillet joint is a bunch of time sitting around filing and polishing (or a shop assistant to do the grunt work for you). For a stem the end result is something that looks exactly like a forged aluminum product with a slightly different finish, while weighing and costing more. Custom builders push them because it's another handbuilt element they can add versus buying off the shelf, but going out and buying one is just insane.<BR/></I><BR/><BR/>Sure would be nice if you provided your name. Considering how much of your personal opinion you're provided, it would only be polite.<BR/><BR/>As for why fillet brazed stems, because they're beautiful, that's why. In threadless stems, forged aluminum simply falls short, in my opinion. In general, IMO, threadless stems tend to vary from ugly to butt ugly, and from barely acceptable to hideous eyesores. Perhaps the only exception to this general rule are the fillet brazed stems. Your tastes, of course, may vary. Some actually believe those eyesores are attractive, or so I'm told.<BR/><BR/>You, perhaps, might have the skill and equipment to braze your own, but I certainly don't, and I doubt there are many who do. Perhaps you should think of it a business opportunity.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18127635083892565152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-83111628182455866342009-03-23T06:10:00.000-04:002009-03-23T06:10:00.000-04:00As for the bars, they look nice, like an actually ...As for the bars, they look nice, like an actually useful moustache bar.<BR/><BR/>I think I would prefer a less gradual drop for a less splayed lever position (assuming they are used with drop bar levers). Sort of like a zero-reach, minimum-drop drop bar or a roadie Jones H-bar.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-4847383125894151432009-03-23T04:08:00.000-04:002009-03-23T04:08:00.000-04:00Why is a 110/74 bcd double such a wonderful thing?...Why is a 110/74 bcd double such a wonderful thing? I thought the point of the 110 bcd was to get a smaller inner ring with only one set of bolts, but once you go with separate bolts you might as well keep the 130 bcd outer ring for stiffness, looks and chainring availability?<BR/><BR/>Or is there great demand for 34t outer rings?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-24956625889321095532009-03-22T23:50:00.000-04:002009-03-22T23:50:00.000-04:00Alternately--I forget the builder, Japanese, who p...Alternately--I forget the builder, Japanese, who puts the studs on the head tube instead of the down tube.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Grand Bois does that on their "M" model. "M" is for multi purpose. I believe TOEI makes the frames.<BR/><BR/>I believe TOEI also makes the Ebisu Frames. <BR/><BR/>I was lucky to get one of the last Heron Wayfarers, and am very happy. Ebisu was the runner up, but I wanted something heavier and not limited to 32mm tires. TOEI was simply too expensive, but I think they are the most elegant cycles. It's a personal opinion, of course, but I like them more than the French built bikes.<BR/><BR/>Concerning the threadless stems. I don't understand why they persist. My Jamis Aurora came with that, and w/o thinking, I though it was cool. Until I wanted to raise the bars. What a nightmare. I ended up buying a whole new fork! <BR/><BR/>GarthAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-39412867088846494772009-03-22T21:01:00.000-04:002009-03-22T21:01:00.000-04:00I'd be very interested in a 110/74 double if the "...I'd be very interested in a 110/74 double if the "Q" is low. Do you have any pics?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-59369643665955643462009-03-22T14:44:00.000-04:002009-03-22T14:44:00.000-04:00All of these products are great, particularly the ...All of these products are great, particularly the chrome-plated and adjustable stems.<BR/><BR/>The chrome-plated stem would have saved me the trouble of plating my own.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-71492483622946083812009-03-22T10:17:00.000-04:002009-03-22T10:17:00.000-04:00Microshift manufactures their stuff and then 'priv...Microshift manufactures their stuff and then 'private labels it' . bikenashbar has from time to time sold shifters made by them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-74621851178861844822009-03-22T10:08:00.000-04:002009-03-22T10:08:00.000-04:00The bar ends pictured are MicroShifts. I found th...The bar ends pictured are MicroShifts. I found the online for sale at 794.05 Rand ZA ( south african Rand) , about 83 dollars US.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-61826485865283536672009-03-21T22:59:00.000-04:002009-03-21T22:59:00.000-04:00When can you get those cranks and how much $?, if ...When can you get those cranks and how much $?, if it wasn't for the price I would buy the TA`s. Also I flipped Nitto Albatross bars like those pictured on a fixie and it is an interesting ride. Your leaning down to reach them but because they sweep back so far you've got plenty of bend in elbows. Plus the width gives good leverage when climbing. With that said, I prefer road bars for any long distance riding.Wingahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11217069477221804106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-55003312756159346202009-03-21T21:09:00.000-04:002009-03-21T21:09:00.000-04:00Beer Blood a dit... Surly Builds favor bar ends...Beer Blood a dit...<BR/><I><BR/> Surly Builds favor bar ends :<BR/> http://www.flickr.com/photos/abedrous/3366158454/sizes/l/in/pool-417924@N22/</I><BR/><BR/>That's a stock LHT apart from the tape, saddle, and pedals. (and the accessories of course) Smartest specced bike for the money that's on the market. The XT/Alex Adventurer wheelset is brilliant.<BR/><BR/>Hey--who's gonna make clamp on studs so we can adapt shifters...for the stem?!<BR/><BR/>Alternately--I forget the builder, Japanese, who puts the studs on the head tube instead of the down tube.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06636707304628067424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-11874491733710578782009-03-21T20:14:00.000-04:002009-03-21T20:14:00.000-04:00The lugged threadless stem looks very nice.The lugged threadless stem looks very nice.Tim D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06116046368736389436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-17443321170450904082009-03-21T16:56:00.000-04:002009-03-21T16:56:00.000-04:00I have a 3TTT Pro Chrome Corsa. Tig welded chrome ...I have a 3TTT Pro Chrome Corsa. Tig welded chrome plated steel quill stem. It weighs 246g which is less then the Nitto Pearl alloy stem of similar size that I have. I would not judge until I had all the specs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-61037894714072003402009-03-21T15:58:00.000-04:002009-03-21T15:58:00.000-04:00absolutely on the fillet and lugged stems, all of ...absolutely on the fillet and lugged stems, all of them look excellent but particularly those two.<BR/><BR/>well done.erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08128941098449141122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-32139919104836751342009-03-21T15:01:00.000-04:002009-03-21T15:01:00.000-04:00The threadless fillet nitto weighs 279g in a 100mm...The threadless fillet nitto weighs 279g in a 100mm length. Normal, decent quality Al stems go at about 160g in that size. Weight difference is probably a little less for a threaded setup.<BR/><BR/>Again I ask: why in the world would you ever want such a part? I don't know how many of you have ever fillet brazed, but once you know how to braze reasonably well all that is required to create a nice fillet joint is a bunch of time sitting around filing and polishing (or a shop assistant to do the grunt work for you). For a stem the end result is something that looks exactly like a forged aluminum product with a slightly different finish, while weighing and costing more. Custom builders push them because it's another handbuilt element they can add versus buying off the shelf, but going out and buying one is just insane.<BR/><BR/>Again, I'm not against fillets - if you love them (and I do), get a fillet brazed frame. At least then the time spent filing, squinting, calipering, and polishing will go into something well designed for its purpose, not a silly piece of mufti. If you just want to show other bike nerds how much money you have, buy yourself some nice bags or an obscure crank or something, and leave the fillet stem on the shelf.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com