Bob Jackson (Vigorelli, etc)

Cranks are the unbranded Andle copies from hubjub

I've had several orders from them without an issue, but read here first if you decide to order.

I've just pulled the trigger on an Audax Club to run as a full winter bike. I've specced it in 631, viola metallic (dark purple) and will run a modern gruppo (probably 5800 or Athena). Delivery date is set for 16th January so I just have to accrue some parts between now and then. Has anyone got any tips on mudguards on an audax frame? This is my first foray into mudguard eye equipped frames, have always run Crud RRs in the past. Looking for as full coverage as possible. SKS longboard? PDW full metals? Or am I missing something obvious? Ta. (Pics when delivered)

I've just put a set of SKS bluemels in the matt black finish on my genesis equilibrium and they look very nice. The coverage is good. I went out Sunday on a wet club run and those behind me had no problems, my feet stayed pretty dry too.

Nice!

Not much love for the geared Jack Bobsons round these parts! Here's mine - had it for years. Apparently a late 70s TT frame but that's all I know about it.

I originally ran it as a fixie with magic ratio which was conveniently 48/16:

I kept it like that for years but the gearing was limiting when my commute changed. Stuck these drop bars on it at some point and that HORRIBLE stem:

More recently put it back to a geared bike. I initially built it up as a low-rent TT bike with 1990s style components. That's actually a HED under the Corima decals, modified Profile copy TT bars, 6-speed Shimano SIS with Biopace:

By no means a serious build but I could go fast on it. Was just about to use it in anger and managed to shit my knee earlier this year so the aero stuff has come off and it's replaced my geared commuter. Not got a pic but it's back on spoked wheels, layback post, Unicantor saddle and a less ridiculous stem.

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Why did you go for that frame rather than say, a Woodrup?

Going to put my 60x58 Vigorelli up for sells in the next few days (teaser).

Motoko - Bluemels in matt black are an excellent suggestion. I think the best course of action is to get it fully built (going to run 25mm GP4S) and see what the clearances are. I'm not running a long drop brake but the 5800 calipers have good clearance so I should be able to get away with it.

Phyllis - Was this one aimed at me? If so I had considered a Woodrup Sportivo but all the examples I've seen have a sloping top tube - I'm going for a horizontal for a more classic look.

Mine came to an unexpected end yesterday. Started feeling a bit noodly on the way to work on Friday and there was a bit of a click coming from the headset area. The click got worse on the way in on Monday, so I brought it in to have a closer look before going home. Rocking it back and forth on the brake with a colleague, we watched this crack suddenly open up:

Eep!

Ouch. Glad that didn't happen while you were on board. Look on the bright side: time for a new frame!

Yep, I'm pretty glad it didn't happen when I was riding!

Just had an email through from Jackson's to say that my Audax Club frame is ready. They forwarded me a picture - paintwork is Viola metallic which I agonised over - but I think it turned out pretty smart. Hopefully it will look even better in the metal, will take some pics when it arrives next week before I build it up.

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I had my girlfriend's frame painted in viola metallic and it looks wonderful, especially in the sun. Good choice!

Thanks - I'm really indecisive when it comes to colours! In the end I looked at a colour wheel and chose the shade that was most opposite my Mercian (which is yellow). Looking forward to seeing it under natural light (rare as that is in MCR).

I originally ran it as a fixie with magic ratio...

You do have a lots of horizontal room for such magic.

Although this is my brothers, it's still a nice Bob J.. This BJ3 in reynolds 653, shot blasted to bare metal, seat tube repair done, new steerer fitted to fork and painted in pearl white.

The Audax arrived today and I couldn't be happier with it. The paint is great, a bit more of a candy purple than I had imagined it would be but all the better for that. I think I now have all the parts I need so had better get on with the build!

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Ha! I did something similar. My Bob Jackson is yellow.

The build is on - Chris King no threadset and ceramic BB fitted along with Thomson stem, bars and seat pin and carbon railed Fizik Antares. Happy so far, next up full 105 5800 and Ambrosio Excellights.

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The Audax is coming along - put most of the 105 group on today along with some spare wheels to see how it looks - not half bad I reckon. Last to go on are SKS longboards and proper wheels. Having 23mm wide DT Swiss R460s built up with 350 hubs - they should be here early Feb. Can't wait.

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Very nice!

The Audax is finished. Full 105, with longboards set up as a winter trainer. I've put my C35s on until the proper wheels arrive later this month. Until then, I'm going to enjoy it!

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Put some miles under the Audax's wheels over the Easter weekend - Manchester to Anglesey following the A roads mostly. c. 172km, 6hrs 43min. It never missed a beat. Such a great distance bike.

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Awhile back I passed on a used Bob Jackson track model with typical super tight track geometry....front 23mm tire was almost rubbing on the downtube & minimal fork/tire clearance. Kind of kicking myself since it was offered cheap too.

I just went on the website and found the track frames are pretty cheap but I'm confused by the geometry. Looking at Bob Jackson track frames online, they all seem to have varying geometry.

Some Jackson track frames have more relaxed geometry, forks with room to fit large tires, larger tire to lower downtube gaps, etc.. Other Jackson track models (like the one I was offered) have typical track frame clearances: fork crown is almost rubbing on a 23mm tire, steep headtube/low rake fork so the tire is almost touching the downtube etc..

When ordering a Bob Jackson from the website, which version is the one with tight track geo?

I want a frame/fork similar to these.....

Afaik the Vigorelli is the only off the peg model (or the Vulcan fixed) but those aren't that.
I'd drop them an email factory@bobjacksoncycles.demon.co.uk
Or Web form
http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/contact_us.php

Let me know how it goes, I might look at replacing my Vigorelli next year.