The Campeur, as the name suggests, is a touring bike for paved, or unpaved, roads. It can carry a substantial load for long unsupported trips, yet handles beautifully even with no load. In fact, it makes a nice gravel racer.
Here are some of the highlights and specs:
- 4130 double butted chrome-molly frame and fork.
- 1" fork with lovely French-style bend. Uses a traditional quill stem (or adapter and threadless-style stem).
- 700c wheel size.
- Clearance for 38mm tires with fenders.
- Canti brake bosses. Seatstay cable stop with adjuster.
- Vertical dropouts with double eyelets front and rear.
- Fender bosses under fork crown, at seat stay bridge, and at chain stay bridge for easy fender mounting.
- Three water bottle cage mounts.
- Lowrider through bosses and seat stay rack eyelets
- Pump peg.
- Kickstand plate, because touring bikes should stand up.
- Metal head badge. Top tube decal by artist Dan Price.
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24 comments:
I think you just made my dream (modern affordable) frame. So many options here, and so much class. do you anticipate offering this as a kit? Or perhaps as a complete?
Awesome! Can you speak a bit to how it compares to your other bikes in terms of fit and handling? Where does it fit in the lineup? It may not be appropriate to compare it with other brands, but I'd certainly be interested in how it compares with the usual suspects, in your mind at least.
I'm 6' tall, with very long legs and short torso (my seat is usually at least as high if not higher than for people in the 6'2"-6'3" range), and I like to get the bars decently high and back so I'm not in a super racey position. Think this would be a good match? Thanks!
The website does not list the wheel size. Seems important to me :)
It looks very nice. Good job!
I'd be interested to hear if there was a kit. @ Chad - I believe they're 700c wheels.
Yep, 700c wheels.
There will eventually be a build kit, but probably not for a few weeks (or longer); we're waiting for a container with parts.
Will you be offering frames in anything bigger than a 61cm? It seems like I saw a post awhile back that said you would offer a 63cm.
That is one lovely headbadge! Actually the entire frame is gorgeous. Looks like it would be the perfect option for those considering a Long Haul Trucker who might prefer something with a more "classic" appearance. Plus, if it rides nicely without a load then it's already got a leg up on my LHT.
I'm not sorry I waited, and on the unsupported hope for a larger frame I will wait some more, but Surly's 64cm LHT is tempting. I'm with anonymous, I'd like a larger frame.
What's the rear spacing? 132.5?
Beautiful frame. Are the decals removable or are they under clear-coat?
The rear spacing is 135mm and the decals are under a clear coat.
This looks just like my '84 Fuji Touring Series IV, the three bottle cages, the braze ons for cantilever brakes, the geometry looks similar, fork rake. But the Fuji has one more braze on, on the left chain stay to hold two extra spokes.
A minor critique of an otherwise beautiful and functional frame: the "campeur" decal looks really out-of-place, and stylistically is at odds with the downtube logo and headbadge. These three elements together are distracting; they make things a bit busy.
No frame size larger than 61cm? Really? Exasperating.
I would sincerely appreciate hearing why there are so few options for people who ride 63-65 cm frames. Ideally someone would address both the dearth of such large-ish frames in the new frame/ complete bike market AND why VO is not offering one in this new and awesome looking frame.
People say try the LHT. I don't want a Long Haul Trucker, for a variety of (to me) good reasons. I do however really want to try this low trail geometry you guys do such a great job marketing.
What gives?
Thanks.
Wah. No frames for short people.
The problem with tall and short frames is that we can't seem to sell them. Those are the sizes that are always left over. And the factory won't accept an order for only 5 or 10 frames of a particular size. But if these frames sell fast we'll get a 63cm on the next production run.
For 63, or better yet 65, I'll wait more.
I might be in minority here but would really like to have a threadless fork as an option. Is there any chance for that?
Marcin- We only offer a 1 inch threaded fork for the campeur
Another vote for larger frames. Being 6'6" in the US sucks if you can't afford custom bikes :-(
Regarding tall and short frames:
Thanks for your response. As for large sizes not selling, I'm sure you've thought of this, but what about taking pre-orders for certain sizes? I know I would be keenly interested in a 63/64/65cm frame and would select based on the planned top tube length...
At this point you have an excellent reputation for getting your particular kind of frame just right. Awesome. So, if you would do pre-orders on 63/64/65cm frames with your mythical next generation "Pass Hunter" road frame, I would sign up in a second.
Soma and Surly and BD are the only people I know who do these larger sizes in a "production" frame. Surely there's a more diverse market out there, and it's just a question of harnessing it economically?
Thanks again!
JS
Looks great! is VO going to get more stock on those dia compe stoker handles? I would love a set of those!
We'll have more of the Dia Compe knob grips, but maybe not for a couple of months.
I am curious about the sizing, is the top tube a bit long on these? Is that typical on a touring bike?
I normally ride a 59 to 60 cm frame, but the top tube length is more like ~ 57 cm on present bikes.
I am stuck on what the proper size that would work for me. 5'10", PBH (barefoot) = 84.5cm, saddle height typically set to ~ 75 cm.
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