Current Projects chat and miscellany

Disco Italian:

Italo.

Mega.

spottr how does the steering damper perform? I've seen a few toptube/headset mounted ones aswell as the downtube springs

works well when you've got a big front load, doesn't stop it swinging round, but slows it so it wont catch you by surprise

soon....

Hi Fredy, I work at Avon Valley Cyclery and can confirm Kinesis had nothing to do with these frames. Firstly I must apologise for the lousy info some one gave you; in defence of the store we had some 'transient' staff last year who didn't do us many favours but sometimes needs must.

The RaceLite bikes were commissioned by Richard Grigsby and Gary Cooper (the chaps behind Cyclescheme) and were produced by LA Cycles (now defunct) Lee Cooper (no relation of Gary afaik) was the L in LA and his partner was... Andy ??? I cant remember his last name. Lee continued making frames as Lee Cooper Cycles http://leecoopercycles.webs.com/
at the same time the shop was doing Caribou (RTB) drop bar 26" wheeled go anywhere bikes. Most of the two brands frames were built in Columbus or Dedacciai tubing (the teardrop was a bit of a favourite shape for Dedacciai). It looks like Lee has stopped taking orders for frames so there is a bit of history in your hands. I used to own a RaceLite but unfortunately it was stolen (Sad face). The bikes all had silly names that I can't remember now (lost in the filing system of my mind) with the exception of the cross bike which was called "The Very Cross".

So in short... nice frame, well built and a keeper if you ask me ;)

That's how I remember it but time makes things fuzzy so if that turns up dead ends or more questions drop me a line and I'll dig some more.
Luke.

Amazing.

Love those Somec paintjobs.

Yes Somec's pretty dope. Would love to see it build up in a 2015 hhsbrb version as well.

Does anybody know a 39 mm stack height threaded headset, 26.4 crown raced, NOT the miche primate/stronglight "mushroom" ones?

Campag are 41 mm, Tange are lower than 39...

best square taper BB for this crankset? http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m2b0s109p45

I know it says stronglight JP400 but I want to know the options.

Any other cheap-ish option for 165mm 110bcd cranks? Ideally 48/34 but can live with 46/36.

Dick yearrrrr !!!!

Shimano UN55?

If you need a 110, buy a 113 and I'll swap you - fitted once, never ridden.

VeloSolo used to do a Tange bottom bracket which was nice.

I think he'll need a 107mm.

Yup, 107mm, probably can go down 103mm depending on frame for shorter Q factor.

Do not go for 110mm or more, that's pushing the front derailleur limit and excessive cross chaining.

If we're doing bbs-in-the-bowl... I have a carbon Token 103mm fitted but unused.

I had dreams of track q-factor and squaretaper durability.

The chainstays on my cx bike had other ideas ;-)

is that shimano one durable/good etc? What do I gain by paying more to other brands? I didnt have a great experience with the last stronglight square taper BB .. need 107mm it'll be a straggler.

@bmxed: thx, they're beauty. When I found it lost in Hungary I grabbed my chance, it isn't the dopest Somec prod but... They are quite rare in size 60 & more.

@Hulsroy: thx. Maybe with Nitto Jag/Riser combo, Strong V, and some Paul brake levers ;)
But before I will make some improvement on these:

The un54/55 is the how all bicycle parts should be made.

You'll have bought at least two dozen bikes before it needs replacing*

*that's probably not an exaggeration.

That'll work definitely, it didn't on my bike as the chain stay were spread out to accommodate 56mm tyres.

and why cant i put MTB cranks on straggler again? I really want to put shimano CX50 but they dont come in 165mm length ..

Massive Q factor.