I had our Citroen 2CV at the VO shop today. So I snapped a few pics of the newly built-up Pass Hunter leaning against it. Not very good photos really, but I like the contrast. I'll take some proper ones soon.
It took me a long time to figure out how to build up this bike. I almost went with flat bars like this Toei Pass Hunter. Then I though about fenders, like this Alps or this one. In the end it was a compromise. The great thing being at VO is that I can always switch out the parts.
Here is a link to a post about the frame. These are the official pass hunting rules. And here is a cool Japanese site.
I think the VO Pass Hunter will do better in the hills than the 29hp, 600cc-engined Citroen.
NICE!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat work, Chris!
Sweet!
ReplyDeleteCool Bike! Though I am left wondering what exactly the difference is between this and a cyclocross bike? I know the geometry is a bit different, but not a whole lot. Maybe pass hunter just sounds cooler?
ReplyDeleteYou did good Chris. The colors all compliment each other. Proportions of the bike are great. This should be a lot of fun for you and those lucky enough to ride with you - even if their own rides are dull, they can enjoy looking at yours.
ReplyDeleteIt's exciting to see your project turn out. It's nice to see the cleanliness of the tig-welded frame, similar to fillet brazed. IMHO?
ReplyDeletestem, cluttered, go with a regular one.
gold cantis, silver would be more harmonious.
levers, unless you really like them, have clunky lines. perhaps the old style ones you sell? the caramel rubbers would go with seat and bar wrap,too.
tires. the tires put it into the cyclo-aesthetic.
lastly, I have the Nitto rack. Why is there so much clearance? Can you have them change it? To be more like the TOEI ones? But I bought your constructeur rack anyway to replace it, thanks!
Feel free to delete my comment. I love bikes and I love your project, that's only why I offer my humble constructive-criticism.
p.s. nice Citroen. My brother had a space in a warehouse. In the warehouse were three Citroens, one had been driven on an epic trip around the world. : )
Chris.
ReplyDeleteLooks nice.
Olle
Suedé
I'm curiouos about the build:
ReplyDelete* What are those tires?
* Is that a 7spd cassette, or a freewheel? Hubs?
* Indexed Shimano?
Chris,
ReplyDeleteCan you tell us what the differences are between the Pass Hunter and the Ebisu frames?
Thanks,
Brian
Miles, A little geometry can make a big difference. This frame also has bosses for fenders, etc.
ReplyDeleteSteve, The tires are the Vittoria cross tires that we sell.
The wheels are old, Super Champion rims laced to Phil hubs, with a Sachs 7spd freewheel. Eventually it will get VO wheels.
Brian, I'd prefer not to make comparisons between VO bikes and competitors bikes. In this case, both are great bikes.
Just curious what your gearing selection is?
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful bike and the versatility is so appealing.
Chris, before you started VO, could you still put together a get-it-running-with-stuff-laying-around build that is nicer than most people's dream builds?
ReplyDeleteM Burdge
Nice build! I'm curious abort those Victoria tires. Their pattern is very similar to some of the older Michelin Sprints I used to run on my off-road bike. They were fast and great handling tires but they would go flat very easily.
ReplyDeleteI'm mostly wondering about the durability of these tires. Have you or anyone had any experience with them?
Phillip
Do you have a price set for these frames?
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has the Victoria tires on her bike. Amazingly fast tires, all things considered.
ReplyDeleteI have to ask, why on earth would you design a bike with a threaded fork, then use an adapter? Why not just have it built with a threadless fork? Or run a threaded stem?
ReplyDeleteI like the Japanese passhunting site. When I was living in a rural area of northern Japan in the early '90s, I rode over many similar-looking passes. The pictures of the tunnels brought back frightening memories: narrow, totally dark, sometimes long... The technique was to listen for any cars, then go for it as fast as possible in the hope that none showed up.
ReplyDeleteAny lucking finding a new source for the chain stay protectors?
ReplyDeleteWhat is it, an elastic band coated in a soft stretchy rubber?
Good looking bike!
ReplyDeleteWhat's the latest word on the VO cranks?
I would hazard a guess that this bike hasn't really been ridden, looking at the adjustment of the front brake pads....
ReplyDeletei dont know whether those pads are adjusted properly from just looking, but my mafacs, which share the same basic design, stick up and look odd when they are not engaged. its the nature of the brake style.
ReplyDeleteYou spoke of two different crank sets, one based on an existing design. Does that mean a rebadged Sugino or an older lower tread design?
ReplyDeleteWe are getting some more slap guards.
ReplyDeleteThere is no crank news to report. We, and the factory, are slowly working on it.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteAny news on the chain guards that work with front derailleurs? If I'm not mistaken, you were thinking about importing some.
I have that exact rear hub. Any idea what Phil model that is? I'd like to eBay it. Thanks
ReplyDelete