I'm waiting for a flight to Tokyo and thought I'd add a few more notes about new products. (Unlike many US airports, there is free wifi at most airports here.)
I had a great time visiting our cable and housing supplier, and a great dinner with their staff. We'll be getting new housing colors, orange, dark green, and brown. And we may have gold braid; is that too tacky? We'll also be making the kits a little longer.
There is a chance we can get VO lugs made based on a design that was often used on Singer and Herse bike. But there are still many details to be worked out, not the least of which is making proper drawings. I saw a neat and wide double plate fork crown that we may use on upcoming frames.
We made some progress on our chrome fillet brazed stems, which will be offered in quill and thread-less styles. We'll make some changes, adding a hidden recessed bolt and alloy top cap to the current design. I have a couple of other ideas for this stem, so there may be delays as I try to work them into the design, but if they can be made they should be spectacular.
We are awaiting quotes for two new models of VO drop bars, probably heat in treated alloy.
Our new Rando racks should arrive in December, along with Moderniste water bottles and Rackaleurs. The canti-mount racks are due in January.
Back to the cranks I mentioned recently, they will be cold forged 50.4bcd and will have 4 ring sizes to start. We will also have some inexpensive 110bcd cranks. The latter are silver and will have CNC rings with pins and ramps. These are not a VO design, but they look nicer, at least to my eye, than many, and the rings are top quality, and the price is fair.
That's all for now.
06 November, 2009
Still in Taiwan
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25 comments:
Chris,
Sounds like you had a busy and productive trip. I look forward
to seeing all the equipment you have
mentioned.
i think gold braid is unnecessary.
Gold braid would go nice with gold levers. I have a few. Or maybe they are more of a copper color. Copper is like gold but not as blingy. I vote for copper color if you can get it.
For the water bottles-
Modernist? = Alluminum?
Oh! I know it's a little late for the fender fix post,and I don't remember if anyone posted it or not;but a reflector bracket around the bottom of the seat tube at thebottom bracket shell also work to mount fenders on a bike with no chainstay bridge or kickstand plate.Like (GASP)track bikes!
Chris,
Thanks for the info re. the new cranks! Can't wait to see pictures.
how 'bout exceptionally small (34t?) steel chainrings in 110bcd for us single speed/IGH folks?
Freaking awesome, Chris.
This is some good stuff you've got int the works. I can't wait to see them.
-Gene-
How about some 21.1 quill stems with a positive rise? It's an underserved market and it would be good to have some options other than craptastic all steel offerings.
I'm just waiting for a decent seatpost to fit Chicago Schwinns.
And I see nothing wrong with the braided gold. Done correctly, it could be tasteful.
Appreciate the thought, but gold braid = tacky
L.
Yes, long quills, fine tuned as in Salsa Sul, removeable faceplates and something in about 90 degrees. Silvery is good too.
21.1 stems would be nice, but having done some older frames, changing the headset is better provided you have enough fork length.
I asked Chris about making his quill to modern adaptor in a 21.1 but he says there is not enough demand.
Re: the canti racks. I read somewhere on the Web that the Nitto M12 would only fit 700C bikes, and not MTB forks. I'm not sure why that might be. Width at the posts? Reach from the posts to the crown for the third bolt?
Does anyone know if this is nonsense? Chris, do you know if your canti rack will fit either?
Thanks,
J
Chris-
I recently bought about 25m of braided "gold" cable housing on a closeout deal. It's not nearly as tacky as I expected -- much more muted than the name would lead you to believe.
Best regards,
Ryan
On the topic of better-looking-than-most cranks: the Sugino Longo. Why don't they make this shape in the normal lengths?
Can't wait to get the dark green cable housing from VO. I've been waiting a year to find the perfect color and that will be it!
Gold housing is no more tacky than gold cantilever brakes.
Ive got gold-braid kevlar cables, and they look awesome. After a month or so, they actually turned somewhat orange- almost as if they rusted. Very attractive and classic...
I use Jagwire "gold". It's translucent yellow with the weave showing underneath. Looks great with bikes that have yellow or gold decals, which there are many.
EE
That Sugino Longo is very nice: its a rebadged Ritchey Logic, without those silly large Logic decals. Very nice. I am glad Sugino didn't trash the molds. Can we get those?
How is changing the headset better? You're still sticking the quill in the same fork.
Velo Orange IPO please.
Oops! I forgot that the steerer tubes are also narrower. I was thinking headset and nut only, so my bad.
The 21.1 is such an irritating size: So close to 22.2, yet so far!
If I had to do it over again, I would have the fork reamed by a machine shop if there was enough wall thickness to do so. This is why I wish I could get a long tube 1" steerer on a nice bladed fork with all the appropriate eyelets for fenders, etc. Right now, custom forks are usually $350 large, plus you have to paint/coat them too. I would rather have a very long steerer, chromed blades, and take it to a shop for threading and cutting AFTER I get a new headset so all would work out right.
Any update on if and when you get the centerpull racks? Will it fit old Weinmann 610 centerpulls (66.3mm between bolts)? I'm interested in that but you aren't going to make it, I'll look at the rando rack.
The little racks are now being tested and should go into production very soon.
Great news on the little racks. Any chance they will have an eyelet for a light? Put me down for two.
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