guest post by Alec Burney
Because of the positive reception to our freshly updated
Rando Build Kit, we've tried to put together an even better deal for you folks.
The Rando Maxi Build Kit is available now. It sports almost everything you need for a great new road bike, including wheels, seatpost, saddle, bars, stem, brakes, a front rack...
We're also trying something new. For $40, we'll chase the bottom bracket threads, face the head tube, and install the bottom bracket and headset cups for you. You won't find a deal that good at any bike shop, and it will save do-it-yourselfers even more in expensive specialized tools. In most cases, you won't need any special tools for the rest of the assembly. Home mechanics, rejoice!
If this is an idea that interests you, please speak up! We're in love with the idea of building machines whose parts all work together in harmony. I think we're getting close with the parts that come in this kit. Most of the ingredients needed for a commuter, club-rider, or sport tourer are all in the Maxi Build Kit.
Our next project may involve a complete bike, designed around our Polyvalent frameset. It's a big step for us, so we're going to see how things go with the Maxi Build Kit. Are all of the pre-chosen parts restrictive or do they liberate you from the burden of choosing minor details? How do you folks feel about having the heavy wrenching taken care of for you?
Dealers: these are available to you, too.
The best thing about your build kits is that they reduce the cost of putting together a complete bike. It makes total sense to package the frame, rack, fenders, headset and bottom bracket together.
ReplyDeleteSome things are better left to personal choice, I think. The example from this kit is the crankset. I would be very interested in this build kit if it came with your 50.4 BCD cranks. Maybe you could offer multiple build kits or different upgrade options?
The other detail is the wheelset: could there be a dynamo upgrade option?
Looking forward to seeing the new polyvalent. My next bike will be 650B.
Other than these minor details I like the idea but there needs to be a bit of choice in the kit set-up, I think.
Love your stuff!
The headset and bottom bracket work are all I really want done for me with the polyvalent I plan on getting later in the year. I suspect wheelsets add significantly to postage for those of us that live in distant lands (though correct me if I am wrong). Therefore, what I like is the discount on the components that I need to get at the time. A build kit with various options and upgrades could be useful though. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting way to secure the bottom bracket tool, with a quick release skewer! Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of this. If I hadn't just paid for my new custom frame I'd seriously be considering this purchase. I especially like the idea of getting the bike with the bottom bracket and headset installed. I'd absolutely opt for this.
ReplyDeleteAs for the parts I would (and just did) choose many of these parts anyway. The bike looks great like this. I like the idea of more options but if you can't do it for the cost then that's why there is a smaller package. Overall this is very cool and at an amazing price.
Thanks for doing what you do!
You are right on with the $40 chasing BB and facing the head tube. These services are often overlooked, yet ensure proper alignment.
ReplyDeleteJohn Hawrylak
Woodstown NJ
I think it's a great idea to supply frames prepped and with HS and BB installed. Definitely the right way to go about selling frames on the internet. (Also, yes most shops would charge more, but it's conceivable to find a shop that would do all that for $40 with the purchase of a frame, HS, and BB, and especially ones they're closely familiar with and trust. Shops I've worked at would.) Also, to pick some nits with the statement that one won't "need any special tools for the rest of the assembly," you still might need a cassette lockring tool, and diagonal cutters actually sharp and quality enough to make cable setup not a PITA are pretty "special" these days too. Also, I don't know who builds your frames, but I've had to tweak hanger alignment on a fair amount of Surlys and other Maxway-built frames out of the box, so if applicable maybe you should check that too.
ReplyDeleteI second Nick on the crankset options. And handlebars. Not everyone likes rando bars (even for rando bikes)
ReplyDeleteThis is a truly fine offer. I'm sorry my budget cannot allow for me to join, but. . . Wow! The chasing and facing is a very fine thing to offer (& do).
ReplyDeleteI really hope this becomes hot!
Owen
i'm totally bummed. i bought the original kit a few months ago and haven't finished it because i'm waiting to save up money to buy all of the parts. if only i had waited i would be riding now. bummer.
ReplyDeleteLove the Maxi build it is a wonderful deal and any nits I might have with a choice are more than overwhelmed by the quality of the components chosen and I am fine with not having to prep (or pay to) the BB shell and installing BB and Headset. I had a little spreadsheet of a build Rando build with your previous kit and 10% of components and this deal blows it out of the water on price and quality. Bravo
ReplyDeleteBB and headset prep would be awesome. I second the dynamo upgrade option, especially with the one you guys designed with the switch.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Polyvalent, I think it's smart to offer it as both a build kit and complete bike. I think the completes will expand your customer base. Different group entirely.
So now you've made it all except for the rear derailleur. Will we see a VO rear derailleur based on the old Simplex? Magic 8 Ball said You May Rely On It. I'll allow the spokes, for now. :>)
It is an excellent idea. I'm hoping to build up a Polyvalent later this summer, but if you can put it together in a build-kit, that would be even better!
ReplyDeleteTrevor
You should offer headset installation on all build options, including just the frame/fork.
ReplyDeleteDoes a front and rear cable hanger come with the kit, too? I see the front (and I think the rear) pictured.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the BB cable guide? (Or does this frame need no plastic guide?)
I'm with nick in that if I were shopping for a new bike build a dyno front wheel and a 30/46 crankset would be my preferences.
I believe pre-built bikes would do well for you. If you choose reasonable components, it doesn't matter if they aren't perfect for a particular customer. Few customers will know in advance what will work best for them once it's all put together. My current bike is a Surly that I bought pre-built and as I ride it, I decide which components I want to replace. Over the last couple of years, I've replaced several parts with VO components that suit me better. I've also added some nice accessories from Vo. It's suits me better now, but was entirely adequate as it came.
ReplyDeleteat 6'4'' im a bit tall for the randonneur but with the +17 stem it would work, so i think there should be at least this option with the stems since it's not about taste but fitting. I know you're not in love with hub dynamos, but some people like to ride at night including me and i think it just doesn't make sense to buy a frontwheel just to take it apart, i'd like the opportunity to get a SON, or no frontwheel. Thanks for your fantastic work, Gunnar.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
ReplyDeleteI knew you folks were smart. You've seen the light!
Best regards
I second the dynamo option. I think that's a fairly common thing to want on a rando bike.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see what sort of polyvant you folks put together and would likely purchase one.
ReplyDeleteOf course, part of the problem would be the fact that it is designed to be such a wide variety of bikes and the options are so endless (i.e. IGH upright commuter, fast drop bar commuter bike, ,french porteur complete with massive front rack, drop bar, etc.).
Nick: Thanks for the feedback. We're still working on details of this kind of thing, but in general, I don't think we'll be able to offer many options - the price on the Maxi kit is low because we reduce labor by limiting the possibilities. But the small build kit is the choice for folks that want more flexibility, and do keep in mind that you get a discount on parts ordered at the same time.
ReplyDeleteMatt: Yes, postage is often rather expensive overseas, but we still do ship wheels internationally all the time.
Nate: You're right about the tools, especially the lockring.
Don S.: Not ruling out derailleurs, but at the moment, they're too complicated and expensive for us. The cool thing about shimano is that even the cheap stuff works great... hard to compete with that.
Anon 7/22/11 5:54 PM: This frame does not need a bottom bracket cable guide - the cable guide is part of the cast bottom bracket shell. And both cable hangers are included!
Chris902: Yes, it's so versatile that we're not quite sure what to do..
Personally I have built a number of frames without chasing and/or facing the headset or bottom bracket, having formerly worked in a bike shop it is something I have done before and it certainly is good to do, but I think it odd that anyone who sells frames directly to customers would not chase them and face them before the customer gets them! From my experiences chasing bottom brackets and headsets, it's good way to chip the paint around those area's, where-as the paint stays fairly intact if it's not done. Again this applies more to facing then chasing, but hopefully you know what I mean! ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if you'd include headset and BB prep and headset installation for the same reasonable price with any of your frames and build kits.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on building up a single-speed Polyvalent when they are back in stock--and the headset and BB work is the only thing I'd take it to the shop for anyway.
Not that I mind taking things to the shop, but the ease of having the frameset show up at my door with the headset installed and ready to build would be just the thing.
Any idea when the kits will be back in stock? any option to preorder?-
ReplyDeleteI second the pre-order option. I cannot wait for the Polyvalent build kit/complete. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDelete