18 December, 2014

News, Updates, and a New Frame

  • We'll be closed for the holidays, from December 24th to Jan 5th, so our hard working staff can recharge for the new year. You can still order during the holiday period, but we won't be able to ship anything until we reopen.
  • Thanks for all the orders you placed during our non-annual sale. It was busier than we expected and now we're out of or low on some key items, including many frame sizes. But we'll be getting two big shipments of frames and parts in mid- to late-January, and most things will be restocked then.
  • Both UPS and Fed Ex have announced major shipping rate hikes for the new year (though we're sure it's just a coincidence that both companies raised their rates at the same time). We're still analyzing what this will mean for us, but our calculation is that the non-Postal Service ground rates VO pays will go up 15% to 25%.  The hikes primarily affect large light boxes (think wheels, handlebars, racks, fenders). You might save a few dollars by ordering sooner rather than later, as our shipping and handling will definitely increase first week of January. We'll have more specific info then.
  • We have this new frame that will be available in the spring. After many prototypes and much testing it's ready for production. I don't want to reveal too much too early, but here are a few photos of the final version.

47 comments:

  1. Looks awesome. Can't wait to see what you come up with. Hoping you keep the disks.

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  2. That's the final version that's going into production. All we need is a name for it.

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  3. MattV, take some alka-seltzer.

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  4. Is it too early to reveal if it's suspension corrected? And by how much?

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  5. Is it too early to reveal that I drooled all over myself?

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  6. Not suspension corrected. We wanted to retain the VO-style handling and feel.

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  7. Exciting. A rigid-specific disc 29er frame, disc hubs, and a rider that can ride. This looks like loads of fun, in addition to many practical features (like tire clearance and fork mounts!). Everyone on this project deserves a raise and a vacation and a pat on the back. Those seatstays are rad.

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  8. I suggest the "Traversée", so named for the series of off-pavement touring routes in France in the Vosges, Massif Central, and Jura mountains.

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  9. Does it follow with a release of MTB rated drop bars?

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  10. Name Idea - Perdu (lost in French)

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  11. How much???

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  12. Robert Davidson12/18/14, 5:31 PM

    How hard is it to make a curved disk fork? That curve - as exhibited on the other Velo Orange models makes the bikes look great. The only curved disk fork I have seen is Surly's Disk Trucker fork.

    Do the blades become so thick that it doesn't matter whether there is a curve or not?

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  13. I really like the looks of this bike. How about, "Gelände"?

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  14. I don't care what you call it, I just want one!

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  15. Looks nice, but the 2" of headset spacers there is a clear indication you should have made the head tube longer. How many VO riders really want to slam their stem down?

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  16. I've never been so excited about a production frame.

    "RADonneur" gets my vote, dirt drops! ^^

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  17. Call it a "1996 Kona Lava Dome." With larger rims. And discs.

    That would be really close. (And a awesome bike, BTW!)

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  18. Broyeur à gravier

    Moulin de gravier

    Non Pavée

    Broyeur à galets

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  19. 29er or will 650b work too?

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  20. I have to say it's pretty ugly. What's up with the top tube joining the headtube so low? Why the wacky seat stay wishbone? Straight forks? ACK!

    Maybe functionality and ride quality is awesome and I'm just stuck on appearances, but for me this is a non-starter for looks.

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  21. I think it looks great. Do I detect a little influence from Fat Chance, Yo Eddy?

    I would like to see the top tube joining up higher on a taller head tube, however.

    Those that don't like it aesthetically clearly fall outside the group of people this frame is intended for. It's a mountain bike people, not a road bike. And what as cool in the hey day or mountain biking? Straight blades and segmented designs. Very cool looking machine.

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  22. Love the fork, love the frame. But, 29er...say it t'aint so

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  23. Nailed it!

    Looks like the geo will suit flat bars. I have a pair of Fairweather Bullmooses that will be perfect for this. You guys have managed to read my mind. Exactly what I am after in terms of brake mounts, wheel size, fender mounts, lack of suspension correction, bb and ht standards, axle standards, and more rack mounts than I will likely ever use. I was thinking of going custom until I saw this.

    Those looking for a curved blade fork can buy a Camargue, wear tweed and live with lousy brakes.

    those looking for another wheel size can buy 90's mtbs.

    Thanks.

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  24. Name suggestion:

    The Loch Raven

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  25. If you want to be able to use both the anything cage mounts for a bottle cage and a lowrider front rack simultaneously the anything cage mounts need to move up the fork.

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  26. @Derek
    ಠ_ಠ
    Seriously? Why don't you just ask why they didn't do it in 27.5? That way you could have won the internetz.

    All I know is that I want one.

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  27. Just curious how everyone knows it's 700c?

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  28. @nordic_68

    It's probably the tire. I'm not sure, but I don't think that Maxxis makes a tan-walled 26" knobby. The Ardent comes in a 29" tan wall.

    Non-suspension-corrected 29er? I'd love for that to replace my Jaberwocky if it's SS-able. Either way, I like it.

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  29. Name
    Gordzilla

    And hopefully it will fit 29er plus!
    tires.

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  30. @nordic_68
    Eyes and experience.

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  31. I remember when VO meant classy road bikes, now it's more and more mountain bike stuff.

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  32. I don't understand the short headtube incorporated into every VO frame design.

    Many of us are older and prefer/need a more upright posture. There's nothing clever or pretty about having to use >50mm of spacers on these short-HT frames.

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  33. Pamplemousse. Swollen tired fatties

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  34. Love the bike, love the color.
    I'd suggest calling it "abscond" because that's what I'd do all the time. "Absconder" might also have the proper archaic ring to it.

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  35. @ Anonymous
    Easy to complain about things when you don't sign your name (or handle) to things isn't it?

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  36. WoW... That's exactly what I'm looking for.
    20yrs ago, I built myself a commuter from a mountain bike frame and components, drop handle bars, bar end shifters and Fat Boy 26" slicks. Fast, efficient and 30lbs... :( .
    Now, I'm planning on updating the whole concept with a new frame. I was thinking an aluminium frame w/ VO BCD 50.4 cranks, drop bars w/ road brake/shifters & disc brakes with the aim to get the weight down to 20lbs or less.
    Head tube length is perfect too - in spite of comments - nice tight frame like my 1987 Cannondale MB w/ 12" bottom bracket clearance.
    When you 'reveal' the frame, please publish specs of components used on this built bike.

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  37. What's all the fuss over wheel size? With disc brakes isn't it a moot point?

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  38. @Anonymous
    "Moot point"? Not hardly. In fact the type of brake has nothing to do with the wheel size. Everyone has their preferences (mine lays with 700c) but that has more to do with the terrain and frame layout.

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  39. @Raiyn
    and the rider's size! To me the only reasons for wheels smaller than 700C are bike fit issues for short riders, and fitting wheels in a suitcase. With some of the new tires coming out for 700C you don't even have to go 650B for big balloon tires any more!
    But if there are other compelling case for smaller wheels I'd love to hear them. I could maybe find another hook in my garage for another bike... :-)

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  40. Smaller wheel sizes? For road/racing bikes - 700mm is best, but for street, touring and commuting I prefer 26". Wide variety of durable rims and tires, and the mountain bike frames are built to take abuse which my commuter bike gets. Jumping curbs, stairs, small drops (1ft or less) - the rims stay true and the non-suspension fork doesn't add weight. I swear by the Specialized Fat Boy tires - 100psi and they have a protective belt in them for punctures.
    I hope the new frame is a 26".

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  41. @ Tim
    Fair points, but the over arching conclusion I was trying to point out was that the brakes have zilch to do with the wheel size.

    @ JoeK
    It isn't. One can clearly see that in the pictures.

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  42. You say you're receiving a shipment various of frames soon. Will you be getting more 62cm Camargues? First the drop-down menu said "out of stock," now the 62cm option is gone entirely. Am I correct in assuming that's only because the item's temporarily out of stock but you do plan to carry more 62's?

    Thanks!

    Peter

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