07 May, 2014

New Hubs, Seatpost, and Bags

We've been working on a few new projects:
Many of you asked for a disc version of our popular Grand Cru touring hubs and here they are. They are field serviceable and can be disassembled without tools. This means that you can easily change a broken spoke on the drive side or re-lube the pawls. The rear hub spins on four large Japanese bearings, while the front uses two.

So will there be a VO frame you can use these on? The answer is yes, but that's all I'll say for now.
Our new Grand Cru zero-setback seatpost uses a neat side adjusting mechanism. These are, perhaps, the easiest to adjust of any seatpost we've used. Zero-setback posts are especially popular on MTBs and may work well for some bike packers. They will be made in silver and in black.
We've been working with Revelate Designs on Frame bags for the soon-to-arrive Camargues. The photo is a prototype, but the only change will be orange thread for contrasting stitching.

All of these new items will be arriving late this summer. What do you think?

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25 comments:

  1. Unknown5/7/14, 2:22 PM

    love the seatpost , will it be available in multiple sizes such as 26.8, 27.0 , 27.2?
    ;-)

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  2. VeloOrange5/7/14, 2:26 PM

    The post will only be available in 27.2 to start. We might make more sizes depending on how well it sells.

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  3. SocialBlunder5/7/14, 3:00 PM

    VO disc frame? Did Christmas come early this year? I have been wanting to upgrade from an 7 year old Schwinn World DBX frame but haven't wanted to cast aside the ridiculous investment I made in a dynamo disc wheelset. Please be quick!

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  4. Robert5/7/14, 4:15 PM

    It would be a nice touch on the camargue-specific bag if the Velcro straps didn't interrupt the downtube decal...

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  5. Ben RM5/7/14, 5:03 PM

    I hope "soon-to-arrive" means next week!

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  6. !=5/7/14, 7:13 PM

    I hope the new frame that uses disc hubs would be a disc Camargue. I wouldn't even mind if a disc Camargue frame had only vertical dropouts for design simplicity. I'll carry a chain tensioner in case of emergencies.

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  7. Maxwell5/7/14, 7:58 PM

    So stoked on the disc hub. Options are so limited for 36h disc hubs.

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  8. majarlika665/8/14, 9:49 AM

    are those hubs tested and approved for tandem use?

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  9. majarlika665/8/14, 9:51 AM

    i hope you can test those hubs for tandem use. i'd love to use them on my road tandem with 145mm rear OLD.

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  10. VeloOrange5/8/14, 11:05 AM

    Sorry, but tandems are not our market. We know very little about them.

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  11. Anonymous5/8/14, 1:30 PM

    you can go ahead and put the frame bags straight into your 'sale' section...

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  12. Anonymous5/8/14, 7:46 PM

    would love a vo hub in 126mm old with 7 speed cassette compatibility--good freewheels these days are few and far between.

    rock on

    Diamond Dave

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  13. web5/8/14, 11:52 PM

    This is meant as constructive feedback...
    Hubs need a SILENT freehub and a bit more polishing, the finish looks a little unrefined. Seatpost looks very promising but would love to see a setback version!

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  14. Anonymous5/11/14, 4:07 AM

    A disc-brake Camargue should put the Fargo3 out of business. Stock Revelate bags are a great idea!

    We've all been waiting for a well-priced field serviceable disc hub. Now that fatbikes are more popular than tandems, will there be 170/190mm hubs available?

    While it is far beyond the current scope of VO, endcaps which convert to 12x142mm may open up the potential market for the new hubs. I assume the current hub design uses an oversized internal axle.

    Whomever is responsible for all this exciting new product should be allowed to test the new six-pack rack more frequently.

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  15. Raiyn5/12/14, 2:28 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  16. Wilburforce5/12/14, 4:22 AM

    Ooh some great developments!

    I certainly wholeheartedly and fervently second Gypsy's hope about axles, make them multiple interchangeable axles too.

    Perhaps we could also see an elegant disc brake, something like the Hayes CX5?

    Also can I cast my vote for a 31.8 clamp Crazy bar

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  17. SocialBlunder5/12/14, 10:31 AM

    "that's all I'll say for now" I'll be watching the blog for the 26/650/700 rim size decision to see if I can put my rims on the new frame.

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  18. Raiyn5/12/14, 5:22 PM

    Wow, I have to say I'm happily surprised by the disc hubs. I figured that after the "Elegant Bicycle / No Contraptions" post VO would never go disc.

    Dylan goes electric!

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  19. Raiyn5/12/14, 7:08 PM

    For those of us who build our own wheels I trust the relevant information will be provided so we can plug the dimensions into a spoke calculator?

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  20. Peter Lütken5/15/14, 12:31 PM

    Can you elaborate on OLD and 11-spd-road comparability on the hubs?

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  21. Raiyn5/16/14, 2:29 AM

    @ Peter
    11 speed? Seriously? What are you a Dentist? While this is a beautiful hub it's not what I'd be looking for if I wanted to "Spinal Tap" it.

    However if you insist. You can use a 11 speed Campy cassette with your Shimano shifting according to Leonard Zinn article here: http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/09/bikes-and-tech/drivetrain-compatibility-hidden-in-plain-sight_303199

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  22. Anonymous5/22/14, 12:08 AM

    Gee I hope the disc Camargue has simple vertical dropouts. Who bikepacks on an internally geared hub anyway...?

    I don't know how Shimano do it, but if you can figure out how to quieten those hubs down a little that'd be tops.

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  23. Peter5/28/14, 4:32 PM

    @Rayin
    Nope, not a dentist. Do like a bit of Spinal Tap though.
    Shimano has recently announced an 11-speed 105 group, making 11-speed a viable alternative even for a bike mechanic like me.
    In addition, Shimano's 11-speed road drivetrains are available with 11-30 cassette sprockets, offering quite a wide range of ratios with reasonable steps in between.
    A 135mm disc hub with 11-speed compatibility would make a swift commuter build with a single front chain wheel, a chain case with good coverage, disc brakes for all weather stopping power (Norway has stupid things like harsh winters, rain all the time, etc) and a wide enough range in gearing that I can haul groceries, kids, etc up the steep hills around midtown Trondheim.
    (Besides, if 11-speed drivetrains give you the willies you'll probably not approve of disc braked skinny tired bikes, either)
    Oh, and going ten speed on an 11-speed hub is just a matter of sliding on a 1.85mm spacer on the freewheel body.

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  24. Paul6/9/14, 4:40 PM

    A disc frame is an exciting thought, to the point I will hold fire on a purchase!

    Good work.

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  25. Anonymous6/10/14, 3:13 PM

    Any possibility on a 40h drilling on the rear hub for those of us carrying a little extra weight?

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