Custom Orlowski Workhorse

rad work

Just received a big shipment of Japanese components :)

Photos man, photos.....

And a few old ones from the road

A few bits in stock for the two builds:

The Dolan stepping into the multi-function role

No more photos of bikes on Rollers I promise

Oh ok just one more…

Decided life is too short to have this frame just sitting around, waiting till I have all the correct parts before building it up. Really wanted to take it for a spin so threw it together with the parts I had to hand. Glad I did, had a blast riding it this evening and really happy to have a second chance to build it up fresh and hopefully keep it that way.

The Orlowski looks pretty nice with the silver parts. Are you gonna use both bikes now?

Cheers, yeah I think the silver suits it, contrasts well with matte black in real life but once I have everything all the black PRO parts will go on this. Flo wheels are for the track, silver wheels for day to day usage.

I'm gonna use the Dolan for work and the Orlowski for everything else basically. Got work tomorrow and Friday so need to swap parts over again tonight…long tings but was well worth it to have a session on the Orlowski tonight

It's all stalled a bit and I'm stuck with a few conundrums:

Really don't know what to do about forks for the Orlowski still: Jacek has gone quiet on me (haven't paid him any money for forks yet so not like I'm being jipped a la Pellizolli) and in the interim I've been thinking: seeing as it's not gonna be getting used for rough stuff so much a more performance orientated fork choice makes more sense.

I emailed Argos about getting a set of their aero forks and they didn't seem too keen to build me a set. I've also been considering a set of 3T Fundas as they seem as nice balance between aeros, weight, ride and money. Is there anything else in that mould I should be looking at?

For the rear wheel I've got the Flo rim and an On-one/novatec hub but undecided on spokes. It seems a shame to have a nice aero rim built up with round spokes but using CX-rays would more than double the cost of the wheel.

Also the Ultegra 6600 cranks don't play well with the Dolan frame so I'm back to looking for a cheap track crankset, though I've thought about switching to 165 cranks on my road bike and I got them super cheap so not a total loss there.

Any input appreciated

Sounds frustrating, but perhaps Jacek is on annual leave, or ill or something else unexpected?

If I were in your shoes I'd hang in there for the forks to match the frame, or if I was in a hurry pretty much any other builder should be able to sort you out.

FWIW wheel-wise, I reckon the true value of most wheels is in the build, so focus on who builds it rather than what it's made of (within reason obviously). Or are you building yourself?

Cheers for sharing your thoughts

I'm certainly not holding it against him, I'm also bad with communication, he really did well by me sorting the frame out and I'm glad of the chance to send some more business his way. Regardless of which other performance/place-holder forks I might end up with I'd probably still get a matching set from him, especially at the price quoted.

Normally I'd build up my own wheels (have done a fair few 32 spokers no probs) but when the spokes are £2-3 a pop and the rim's not exactly readily available I'm not sure I'd trust myself so have to factor the build into the cost as well

I know how you feel - sorry if my message came across as doubting!

I've just picked up some cross check forks for my pompino, the idea being I can run a front rack - so I'm all about front loading + fixed, so perhaps I'm biased :)

I can recommend @arup for wheelbuilds south of the river.

Not at all, just wanted to be clear

I've heard nothing but good things about arups skills, I'll drop him a line

Gonna bring it on wednesday? Or will it be the dolan again? I can't be riding too hard, but hope to chat to you again at hhv

I'll be there but got a solid block of work, races and riding between now and then so won't be riding hard either. I'll be on the Dolan though, definitely won't have time to transfer everything across…and back again

Some progress and some more frustrations (dealing with online retailers)…

New front wheel for the Dolan/touring/rough stuff etc. I wanted wide, durable, cheap, lightish and silver to match the Phil/Archetype rear.
Superstar Comp. Pave 28, On-One, Sapim


All polished and built up

New cranks:

Saddle for the Orlo:

Rear Flo wheel is now with Arup being laced up, all that remains is to get a set of forks

Really just wanna get it built and get out there on some long ones, had so much fun on it last year

Also if anyone has a sliver Thomson or Hope seatpost clamp that they'd be willing to trade for a black one let me know

For the rear wheel I've got the Flo rim and an On-one/novatec hub but undecided on spokes. It seems a shame to have a nice aero rim built up with round spokes but using CX-rays would more than double the cost of the wheel.

A bit of a late response but here are my 2p...

On the rear how much difference will crossed aero spokes actually make? I don't have a paper to back it up but IMO CX rays on the rear is more bling than anything else. If you were that worried you'd have already ordered a ral cover and spokes wouldn't be a question.

Good point well made. If I was that worried I probably wouldn't have a steel frame with rack mounts.

I can't imagine they'd give much if any aerodynamic advantage on a rear wheel but I'll take the placebo/strength/aesthetic gains and never worry about thinking what if…

The Dolan is my work bike/beater, my race bike is over 10 years old, this is my nice bike :)

I don't believe it…just ordered a set of carbon forks, check email to make sure it's gone through alright and in my inbox from 2 mins prior is an email from Jacek to say he's ready and willing to get started on my forks.

^lolwut?! Task for Monday morning is now either cancelling an order, or buying a second headset crown race for quick fork-switching!

Bladed spokes will probably make more difference than the rim.