Glenn's new Velo Orange frame is the 650b version of our Randonneur frame. The most striking feature of the frame may be the saddle bag bumpers. These protect the rear brakes from the saddlebag that Glenn likes. I first saw bumpers like these on an obscure Japanese touring bike. We had also considered reversing the Paul Racer brakes so they would be mounted on the forward side of the seat stays, but this seemed the better solution.
Again, a black frame is very difficult to photograph so thanks for your efforts Johnny.
I like the frame very much. More photos of fully built up bikes, please!
ReplyDeleteObscure Japanese frame? Like this one? http://tinyurl.com/2dm69d
Michael, Actually I've looked at that frame and never noticed the bumpers. I saw them on a Japanese made EM frame.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful frame, especially the dropouts. There are not many builders that can do it that well.
ReplyDeleteWhat would have been the down side of mounting the brakes forward? Cable routing?
ReplyDeleteOnce again, Johnny's detail work just shines. These bikes will be selling for more used in 15 years than they are selling now.
ReplyDeleteNeil, Aesthetics and cable routing were the main issues.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I'll send Chris photos when I have the bike built up. It'll be a few weeks, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteThe Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles shows a couple of bikes with the brake mounted "backwards". If I recall correctly, one of them has a hole in the seat tube for the cable. Mounting the brake backwards is a lot easier with sidepull brakes than it is with centerpulls; my current randonneuse (to be replaced by this bike) is set up that way.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteWill you be looking into a high quality, long canti cable hanger for the rear?
Alf
Alf, If I run across any I'll buy them.
ReplyDeleteThose bumpers are awesome, never seen that before.
ReplyDelete