Something a little different...

ETreeson
ETreeson Posts: 88
edited February 2013 in Your mountain bikes
Howdy all,

So, following on from the recent custom, hand-built MTB that was featured on here... I thought I'd start to detail the build process of my new MTB.

After finding an awesome frame-builder, I put in my custom order at the end of September... First of all, the vital stats:
650b full-suss, lugged steel frame, 120mm out back, 130mm up front.
1 piece lugged steel stem & groovy 'Luv Handles' bar combo
SRAM XX groupset
Industry 9 wheels

Basically, I wanted the best kit on this bike. It's going to be a one-of-a-kind and the last bike I buy in years (hopefully!)- I didn't want to feel like it needed upgrading as soon as I got it.

The build will probably be completed towards the end of Feb, although parts have started to arrive. I've added some photos below.

8200718803_1737d3855f.jpg

8201812692_7f7cc267a2.jpg

8201813182_db7efe9028.jpg

8201813636_d20acdfe4d.jpg

Rather than go into the whole thought process and write an essay, I thought I'd just leave this open for questions, if any of you have any.
«13

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    That's going be Awesome bike, and brand whore.. :mrgreen:
  • 70\ʹspenguin
    70\ʹspenguin Posts: 957
    Cant wait! Just....please please please dont paint it a shit colour!
  • spongtastic
    spongtastic Posts: 2,651
    1 piece lugged steel stem & groovy 'Luv Handles' bar combo?

    Why?
    Visit Clacton during the School holidays - it's like a never ending freak show.

    Who are you calling inbred?
  • ETreeson
    ETreeson Posts: 88
    spongtastic wrote:
    1 piece lugged steel stem & groovy 'Luv Handles' bar combo?

    Why?

    From the outset I had wanted a 1 piece lugged bar/stem combo, I just think they look awesome. I had pictured a flat bar initially, but Tim, the framebuilder, raved about the Luv Handles and convinced me. They look a little quirky, but I'm pretty sure they'll grow on me.

    In response to the earlier comment... the paint scheme is going to be awesome (naturally!)
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    Sounds heavy.
  • cat_with_no_tail
    cat_with_no_tail Posts: 12,981
    Interesting.

    It's great to see some proper custom builds on here.

    Questions:

    - What steel are you using?
    - You going for plain lugs or some sort of fancy affair?
    - Brass brazing?
    - The seat-tube looks really long. will it be cut down, or are you going for the custom cut tube and super-short / all-in-one seatpost?
    - Why flow rims? Bit overkill on a 120mm bike no?
    - What colour? or just laquer?
    - Got any idea on estimated weight? Steel FS frame + 27.5" Flow wheelset = 35lb?

    - Hats off to you!
    "Avan-TT"
    F*cking Fast 29er
    Rapid Rose Roady
    Bionicon Beast
    Rockhopper Communter
  • spongtastic
    spongtastic Posts: 2,651
    ETreeson wrote:
    spongtastic wrote:
    1 piece lugged steel stem & groovy 'Luv Handles' bar combo?

    Why?

    From the outset I had wanted a 1 piece lugged bar/stem combo, I just think they look awesome. I had pictured a flat bar initially, but Tim, the framebuilder, raved about the Luv Handles and convinced me. They look a little quirky, but I'm pretty sure they'll grow on me.

    In response to the earlier comment... the paint scheme is going to be awesome (naturally!)

    Each to their own, I like properly lugged frames but that would be too much for me. For the colour I'd probably end up with plain laquered tubes and red lugs and black graffics which everybody else would hate.

    Definitely interested in seeing it finished though, I'm still considering getting a custom hardtail.
    Visit Clacton during the School holidays - it's like a never ending freak show.

    Who are you calling inbred?
  • ETreeson
    ETreeson Posts: 88
    Cat With No Tail wrote:
    Interesting.

    It's great to see some proper custom builds on here.

    Questions:

    - What steel are you using?
    - You going for plain lugs or some sort of fancy affair?
    - Brass brazing?
    - The seat-tube looks really long. will it be cut down, or are you going for the custom cut tube and super-short / all-in-one seatpost?
    - Why flow rims? Bit overkill on a 120mm bike no?
    - What colour? or just laquer?
    - Got any idea on estimated weight? Steel FS frame + 27.5" Flow wheelset = 35lb?

    - Hats off to you!

    -The steel decision I've left to Tim, from his site I'd guess True Temper/Columbus.
    -Lugs will be handmade, custom design.
    -The seat tube will fit a normal seatpost, so it'll probably be cut down (or it's just the funny layout in that pic).
    -The bike won't be super aggro, but won't really be an XC bike either. I had no real rim preference so went with the flow...
    -The lugs will be painted, with the tubes remaining mostly raw (with some interesting details)
    -The FS this was based on came to 27lb(ish) all-in, this has slightly higher specced parts, so will probably come in a little under that.
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    Can I ask why you decided to have a custom full sus made with steel tubing? Just out of curiosity; I'd never do it myself.
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    The FS this was based on came to 27lb(ish) all-in, this has slightly higher specced parts, so will probably come in a little under that.

    I was right then ;-)

    I'd have gone XX1, as i9 now offer the X-Driver body on their hubs.

    Sure it'll be pimp.
  • Dick Scruttock
    Dick Scruttock Posts: 2,533
    This looks very interesting. I will be watching with a lot of interest as its something I intend to have done.

    I have been making enquires in the last few months to have something similar made myself. I have not got anywhere with it as a bike I needed to finish my retro collection came up for sale so I bought that instead. I am going to have another look and make a decision next year though.
  • ETreeson
    ETreeson Posts: 88
    ilovedirt wrote:
    Can I ask why you decided to have a custom full sus made with steel tubing? Just out of curiosity; I'd never do it myself.

    A few reasons I suppose. I like the ride of steel. I love the look of lugs and skinny tubes and raw steel and I'm not massively fussed about weight.
  • The Northern Monkey
    The Northern Monkey Posts: 19,174
    ETreeson wrote:
    ilovedirt wrote:
    Can I ask why you decided to have a custom full sus made with steel tubing? Just out of curiosity; I'd never do it myself.

    A few reasons I suppose. I like the ride of steel. I love the look of lugs and skinny tubes and raw steel and I'm not massively fussed about weight.

    Don't you lose the 'ride of steel' by adding the rear shock?

    Looks interesting, but I assume the rear suspension is going to be a fairly simple setup. I'd be worried about the pivot location on a one-off bike, get it wrong and it could ride like a bag of spuds regardless how much money you throw on the components.

    Also, what you going to do about the shock? Is the bike being based on an OEM shock or are you having one tuned to match the frame?
    Santa Cruz Butcher
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    The Northern Monkey wrote:
    Don't you lose the 'ride of steel' by adding the rear shock?

    Looks interesting, but I assume the rear suspension is going to be a fairly simple setup. I'd be worried about the pivot location on a one-off bike, get it wrong and it could ride like a bag of spuds regardless how much money you throw on the components.

    Also, what you going to do about the shock? Is the bike being based on an OEM shock or are you having one tuned to match the frame?
    Rear end looks like alloy to me. pivot on the chain stay.

    guess what. a Kona with a steel front triangle?

    but as the picture is quite small and out of focus i may have not quite seen it right.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • ETreeson
    ETreeson Posts: 88
    The Northern Monkey wrote:
    ETreeson wrote:
    ilovedirt wrote:
    Can I ask why you decided to have a custom full sus made with steel tubing? Just out of curiosity; I'd never do it myself.

    A few reasons I suppose. I like the ride of steel. I love the look of lugs and skinny tubes and raw steel and I'm not massively fussed about weight.

    Don't you lose the 'ride of steel' by adding the rear shock?

    Looks interesting, but I assume the rear suspension is going to be a fairly simple setup. I'd be worried about the pivot location on a one-off bike, get it wrong and it could ride like a bag of spuds regardless how much money you throw on the components.

    Also, what you going to do about the shock? Is the bike being based on an OEM shock or are you having one tuned to match the frame?


    Yeah, I appreciate it's not going to ride like a steel hardtail and I believe Nicklouse is right, in that it's an AL rear triangle. I suppose I think of the 'feel' as the quality and the reliable feeling of riding steel. I suppose I just enjoy knowing the bike I'm riding is steel. Shrug.

    The shock will be standard on delivery, once I've ridden it for a while and played about with it, we'll see. In terms of ride quality, the guy building it for me has one himself... I'd like to assume that's a fairly good indicator.
  • ETreeson
    ETreeson Posts: 88
    A little taster of the lugs in progress...

    8241603933_0f64a5a24b.jpg

    8242671376_eaf65fcbac.jpg
  • emseens
    emseens Posts: 146
    :o stunning work mate
  • ETreeson
    ETreeson Posts: 88
    The bike is a rolling chassis now. Pending some new photos, in the meantime here's a couple more...

    8276478832_8187cfce9f.jpg

    8276476286_eeda563a38.jpg
  • sanchez89
    sanchez89 Posts: 567
    looking good. (and super shiny) think this is the most anticipated bike build so far this year! for me anyways.
    2011 KHS Full Susser Carbon 29er Race Build
    Clank wrote:
    M'eh, I might just go back to zapping it with frikken lay-zur beeeems. And sharks.
  • ETreeson
    ETreeson Posts: 88
    He's positively teasing me now...

    8301574315_557148fd1a.jpg

    8301575337_f7c0b1bd1f.jpg

    8302629310_8630f11d44.jpg
  • emseens
    emseens Posts: 146
    jaw dropping project, would you make me 29er hard tail frame? (sun)
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    That does look like some quality work right there.
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • allthegearnoidea
    allthegearnoidea Posts: 4,077
    stunning!! will be a fantastic loking bike when finished!
    Timmo.
    After all, I am Cornish!
    http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
    Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends!:wink: Yes, I Am a bike tart!
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#16297481
  • vrchris
    vrchris Posts: 38
    Lug porn
    "If in doubt, go flat out!" - Colin McRae RIP

    GT - iDrive 4.0
  • ETreeson
    ETreeson Posts: 88
    One last update before Christmas. The lugged bar/stem combo.

    This'll probably be marmite for most of you, but I'm liking it (although the real test will be when I get my hands on it!)

    8303481545_016106d309.jpg
  • rebel_brown
    rebel_brown Posts: 126
    Not a fan of the bars but the lug work is brilliant. Look forward to seeing this when it's finished.
    This is a bicycle.
  • coomber
    coomber Posts: 232
    This is bloody brilliant!

    Who is the frame builder?
  • ETreeson
    ETreeson Posts: 88
    coomber wrote:
    This is bloody brilliant!

    Who is the frame builder?

    Tim O'Donnell - www.lugoftheirish.com
  • JMcP92
    JMcP92 Posts: 339
    ETreeson wrote:
    coomber wrote:
    This is bloody brilliant!

    Who is the frame builder?

    Tim O'Donnell - http://www.lugoftheirish.com

    Best website name I've seen in ages :P
  • downhillbike
    downhillbike Posts: 115
    great looking machine great detail in the tubing

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