New Rourke 953 build

verylonglegs

rajMAN wrote:

verylonglegs wrote:

Interesting, I want a steel bike ready for around May next year but am wracked with indecision.

Any of those you wish to share with the group? :?

Er, don't really want to take over this chaps thread but I haven't uncovered anything new with regard to the usual options, Mercian, Rourke, Shand, Enigma etc. I still haven't definitely plumped for the custom route either as some off the peg options look like they might fit the bill. I've got as far as a deciding I want a steel bike with a nod to a classic style, doesn't need to accomodate mudguards and I would like the frame budget to be under or just on four-figures.

FransJacques

Did you weigh the group of tubes before you started to weld it? What's the weight, ~1700?

drlodge

The frame is based on a Cannondale CAAD 8 54cm frame, since that is the bike they put me on to get a good fit. Reason for them choosing this frame, is that its a more "moderate" geometry, you can see the dimensions in the graphic below. The angles are identical, same top 54.5cm tube and 54cm seat tube. The heat tube will be different as its slightly higher I think than on the CAAD8. You can also see me sat on it during the fit They swapped out the bars, stem and saddle for the ones I would be using.

Oh and most of that tummy has now disappeared, I've lost 8-10 lbs since end April!

drlodge

Here are the wheels, Campag record hubs (32H), Excellight rims, Sapim spokes (race on rear, laser on front), Continental Supersonic tubes, GP 4000S tyres. Built by Mr Harry Rowland.

drlodge

Jase was busy on Saturday, he sent me a photo of their trade mark wrap over seat stay ready for brazing but I won't show that in public. Below are (a) brake bridge ready for brazing then frame comes off the jig. (b) then to be done is filing and braze ons fitted, second photo is a taster of the rear stay tidied up...I really like these drop outs, TIG welded to the stays.

drlodge

verylonglegs wrote:

Er, don't really want to take over this chaps thread but I haven't uncovered anything new with regard to the usual options, Mercian, Rourke, Shand, Enigma etc. I still haven't definitely plumped for the custom route either as some off the peg options look like they might fit the bill. I've got as far as a deciding I want a steel bike with a nod to a classic style, doesn't need to accomodate mudguards and I would like the frame budget to be under or just on four-figures.

The 853 ProTeam tubing should get you a frame within your budget. What I like about Rourke are (a) they fit you and design your frame as well as build it so you get a complete service. Some other frame builders will not do the fit, and some won't even design a frame, they just build it to your specs. (b) all Rouke frames are TIG welded, other frame builders tend to braze still which is (i) less flexible (ii) heavier and (iii) TIG welding helps with the frame strength esp for the air hardened heat treated tubing. I personally cannot see the point of brazing stainless 953 tubing, defeats the whole point of using this tube set.

drlodge

FransJacques wrote:

Please post the weight of the frame. I've very interested. Can you also post the frame geometry drawing (if you have one)?

I don't know the exact weight of a 953 frame, I lifted Sean Kelly's frame in the shop and it was very light, around the same weight as a moderate carbon fibre frame I'd say and probably much the same as a titanium frame. I think the finished frame is a little over 1kg. The Ritchey WCS c/f forks are 300g.

samsbike

Oh and most of that tummy has now disappeared, I've lost 8-10 lbs since end April!

well done you!!

drlodge

To give you a taster of the paint scheme, Jason posted this image and is now at http://www.the5thfloor.co.uk/2012/10/11 ... 953-track/

Mine will be very similar, except in mono chrome. So blue is replaced with a metallic black, with grey/silver lining.

bluedog99

Love the thread Driodge, just spotted it now. I go for my fitting next Monday. If i can sell my Gibson guitar on ebay i`m in for the 953, if not it`s the 853 team pro. Keep the pics. coming. I`ve still not sorted what colour i want yet! To much choice on the bloody website gallery. I will be tuned in every night now, cheers.

thebicyclepervert

Beutiful - have been promising myself a build like this for quite some while... Although I would probably go with Mercian :-)

drlodge

bluedog99 wrote:

Love the thread Driodge, just spotted it now. I go for my fitting next Monday. If i can sell my Gibson guitar on ebay i`m in for the 953, if not it`s the 853 team pro. Keep the pics. coming. I`ve still not sorted what colour i want yet! To much choice on the bloody website gallery. I will be tuned in every night now, cheers.

I don't think there's much performance wise betwee 853 ProTeam and 953, but there is a big price difference so 853 is much better value. If you want bare stays, you could ask for 953 chain stays, Jason did just such a frame recently.

For me, this is a once in a lifetime purchase so am going "all in" for the lovliest, most beautiful frame I can get, and I'm in the fortunate postion of being able to afford it.

samsbike

Out of curiosity what did you specify the bikes use for. I am wondering why they choose the cannondale geometry over your current ride.

drlodge

thebicyclepervert wrote:

Beutiful - have been promising myself a build like this for quite some while... Although I would probably go with Mercian :-)

Why would you go for a lugged and brazed construction on a light weight stainless frame? It just seems so illogical to me. With the TIG welded frame you have complete flexibility, and no bronze coloured areas on bare metal. TIG is also lighter, and more flexible regarding frame geometry.

drlodge

samsbike wrote:

Out of curiosity what did you specify the bikes use for. I am wondering why they choose the cannondale geometry over your current ride.

Use is assumed to be "fast road", clearly I am not a competitive road racer and the bike will be used for recreation, sportives, and possibly the odd time trial. The Cannondale geometry is not much different to my current bike, I think they mentioned GIANT frames being more aggressive, where as the Cannondale is a good balanced design.

rajMAN

Great thread drlodge, I think your making lots of people envious

samsbike

Thanks , its a great thread

drlodge

It sure beats the hell out of going down to your local Evans and paying £££s for a bike which you know nothing about!!

samsbike

I like the paint job

bluedog99

drlodge wrote:

bluedog99 wrote:

Love the thread Driodge, just spotted it now. I go for my fitting next Monday. If i can sell my Gibson guitar on ebay i`m in for the 953, if not it`s the 853 team pro. Keep the pics. coming. I`ve still not sorted what colour i want yet! To much choice on the bloody website gallery. I will be tuned in every night now, cheers.

I don't think there's much performance wise betwee 853 ProTeam and 953, but there is a big price difference so 853 is much better value. If you want bare stays, you could ask for 953 chain stays, Jason did just such a frame recently.

For me, this is a once in a lifetime purchase so am going "all in" for the lovliest, most beautiful frame I can get, and I'm in the fortunate postion of being able to afford it.

Thanks for the sound advice, i need to calm down. The 953 chain stays may be worth exploring, cheers.

drlodge

853 ProTeam with 953 chain stays, right one is bare...

samsbike

What is the advantage of 953 stays?

napoleond

samsbike wrote:

What is the advantage of 953 stays?

Over 853 the advantage is about 100.

bluedog99

drlodge wrote:

853 ProTeam with 953 chain stays, right one is bare...

Thanks for posting the picture, mmm very tasty.

samsbike

ND is that 100g or £100?

drlodge

NapoleonD wrote:

samsbike wrote:

What is the advantage of 953 stays?

Over 853 the advantage is about 100.

Haha yes, 853 + 100 = 953

From a materials perspective, 953 is harder, and so can be drawn thinner for the same strength. Therefore it weighs less and arguably has a better "feel" due to the thinner wall thickness. If you think how a frame made out of scaffolding pipes would feel (ignoring the weight penalty), you can imagine that thinnner walls make a frame feel "better", but I'm not going into the specifics (I'm not opening that can of worms, youngs modulus is the same for all steels etc).

For the customer of this 853 frame, the reason for specifying 953 chain stays was because he wanted the right hand side stay left bare, and 953 is stainless whereas 853 would rust. So it was for purely aesthetic reasons.

drlodge

Here's the frame complete, and been checked for straightness. Now its time for braze-ons and bottle cage bosses, rechecked, then priming tomorrow!

samsbike

keep it coming.

BTW did you consider getting disc brakes on it, or is that an irrelevance?

drlodge

samsbike wrote:

keep it coming.

BTW did you consider getting disc brakes on it, or is that an irrelevance?

er, disc brakes on a 953 road bike with Campag super record group set? :roll: Yes...it is an irrelevance!!

EKIMIKE

You'd also be limiting your wheelset options too. It's simply not a decent option right now unless you're into all that 'early adopter' stuff. That's all before you get to the 'do you actually need disc brakes on a road bike?' question...

Just curious... what kind of post/bar/stem are you going for?