I took a few snapshots of a built-up Polyvalent. We're trying various builds and ideas.
With this build I could see using the bike both around town and as touring bike. Small panniers could be used front and rear, and there is a lot of room on the Porteur rack. If I was building it up primarily for light touring, I would probably use a Nitto M12 or a VO Constructeur front rack. If it was mostly for city use, an internal gear hub might be better.
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25 comments:
Looks beautiful! Some questions:
- What size frame is this?
- Are those Zeppelin fenders?
- What's the final word on whether Polyvalent can accommodate 42mm tires like the GB Hetre PLUS suitable fenders (like the Zeppelin)?
Thanks! Great job!
The frame is a 57cm and those are Zeppelin fenders. The frame can easily accommodate 42mm tires with fender. But note that Hetre are actually 39.5mm in real life. I'd save some money and get more durable 38mm tires like CdVs for city riding.
No chainguard?
There is a chain ring guard. It's better looking than chain guards, like the SKS, which work with front derailleurs.
What crank is that?
I have to agree that Hetres are flat prone.
Somehow I get the feeling the decal should read "Velo Noir" . . .
Nice. About what would the bike cost as built in the photo?
a ride report would be nice.
it is very lovely.
mw
That looks great!
My question: what's the difference between the rando and the poly other than wheel size?
Funny, I've been riding one pair of Hetres on the flat-inducing streets of San Francisco for over a year without a single flat; the previous year on Col de la Vies yielded a flat every couple of months.
But that's neither here nor there - that's a great looking bike build! I also happen to have just put one of those Model 8 saddles on my Kogswell porteur, and I like it a lot.
I want one of these as a backup bike to the Kogswell, since I have an unused 650B wheelset lying around (this is how bike stables expand -- "Hmm, I have these wheels, now all I need is a frame!"), but will probably have to wait for the next batch for my budget to recover from recent purchases.
Will you be trying to correct the paint color in the next batch of frames?
Are you happy with the bend in the fork? Is it likely to become more elegant, or is the hassle/cost too great? Otherwise a fine looking machine.
I like the color. This seems like a nice alternative to folks who might be contemplating a Surly or Soma frame as a commuter. I hope you go forward with a 62cm or 63cm size.
It's hard to give an exact cost of that specific build, as we are using some parts that are prototypes (like the crank), and Chris' personal stash of stuff (the wheels). If we sub here and there similar stuff, it's going to build out to around $1900- including racks, kickstand, bell, etc, tail light, ringlock. If you go cheap, (Wald basket instead of Porteur rack, ditching the tail light and ring lock, cheaper pedals, derailleurs, etc) you can reduce it quite a bit.
Please keep in mind that price does not include dealer assembly. It takes 6-8 hours to build this up from the frame. There's a lot more fabrication, fit up, and adjustment than other bikes due to all the accessories speced on it.
Well it looks great. Too bad I don't have any 650B wheels lying around, cause I think I have everything else to build a nice city/country bike. Nice price too, and I love the black. Just can't pull the trigger now, sadly.
Matt
The front rack could/should be closer to the head tube, IMHO.
if the rack was mounted where the fenders are it could be farther back by a touch, but thered be a lonely rack mount sitting there like a pierced earlobe without a plug.
Can someone tell me the name of the front and rear rack. I like the circle design on the rack post
thanks
The front rack is a VO Porteur rack, the rear rack is a VO Constructeur rack.
Have a look at the geometry tables in the VO tech section to see the differences between this and the Rando frames.
The bike looks like the great modern do-all sort of bike that learned the lessons of the past. I love it. The only thing that I would also ask for is a larger rear rack. One to balance the size of the porteur and two to provide the size for decent panniers for those picnic days when you need to being enough food and wine for four people.
max- you can put panniers on our porteur rack. or just plop everything on the porteur rack on top.
the Polyvalent is a much better handling bike with the load biased towards the front.
Love this frame! Could you please tell me how it would handle extended touring? If I order on could I have a colour of my choice for a surcharge alt. could you ship it "nude"? I have a good powder coat firm near by.
The frames are shipped to us already painted. We can't 'undress' them.
Think of the paint as a protective rust preventative.....
I like the photos' Momo Velo homage.
My LBS (Old Spokes Home, in Burlington VT) just got a Polyvalent in, built up with the VO headset and porteur rack. Saw it show up on their blog when I was checking my feeds, so I had to swing by when was out doing errands.
It's a real nice piece of kit! I'm going to have to make out to give it a test ride if I get a chance.
Seeing this thing in person kind of made up my mind as to whether or not I want this. While their photos do it even less justice than yours, seeing the thing in front of you is different.
The welds, in particular are very nice, and give it the appearance of a brazed frame. The logo treatment looks better and more subtle than I expected, and in reality, it just looks much nicer than I'd expect a $400 dollar frame to be.
Hello Chris
I like your polyvalent model
If it existed when I started to build mine, I thi,k I would have bought it.
Now i am happy with a simple surly LHT on witch i have put VO porteur rack (see pictures!)
Thanks
http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://surlylht.googlegroups.com/web/IMG_0075.JPG%3Fgda%3D5ENisD4AAACUjCl_HAvmRj7dW9Zk9p5790c-9sSWGCgTetq0BWwnXmK3R6d8BzeoHMiyO5My4mTjsKXVs-X7bdXZc5buSfmx&usg=AFQjCNEeJry_5N-rCKqnz6YTpfqoOvEMZg
http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://surlylht.googlegroups.com/web/IMG_0079.jpg%3Fgda%3DMYW3WT4AAACUjCl_HAvmRj7dW9Zk9p5790c-9sSWGCgTetq0BWwnXkeOllAs8Gs0ldrDylviM0rjsKXVs-X7bdXZc5buSfmx&usg=AFQjCNFBAhlXakOoWhyM8r67DA6GaqSY2w
very nice! I did a 650b conversion with an old giant frame and I really liked it, I am glad to see an affordable design based on this wheelsize. It really is superior for everyday uses. I think I know where my tax return is going now lol.
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