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dangeek
Made it out for a proper first ride this evening after it had cooled down. SO GOOD. It's a real joy to ride something you've built yourself, even (perhaps because?) though it's not perfect.
I was aiming for a high stack, shortish reach frame with clearance for 2.2 29" and loads of braze ons. To be used mainly for bikepacking and long gravel rides. The geometry was taken mostly from a large Salsa Fargo, with a few tweaks (slightly shorter chainstays/slacker head angle/shorter reach). I've had trouble in the past with hand numbness on long rides (5/6hrs+ multi day) due to a head injury, so I'm hoping that the high front end will help take weight off my hands.
The good: it's really stable, tracks really nicely but without being too slow to turn. Weight seems reasonable at 2250g for the frame including headset and rear axle. Alignment of the frame is close enough for me (it tracks straight with no hands). I was aiming for 68° head/73° seat and ended up within 0.5° with both which I'm happy with considering the lack of proper jig. Tyre clearance is ample for 2.2 at the rear and the fork will probably take 2.6. I'm a big fan of how it looks raw so it'll just be clear coated when I get a chance. Compressionless brake outer is a big improvement over non, the brakes feel really good, no sponginess in the rear.
The bad: still need to source a new chain (currently too short) and new pads for the front (contaminated). I wish I'd taken the time to bother with internal routing for the rear cables.
The ugly: in a fit of enthusiasm for getting it finished I didn't notice the drive side seatstay had twisted when I tacked it and the two sides aren't symmetrical, it doesn't affect the frame functional but it definitely looks amateurish. The TT/ST/seatstay brazing is on the messy side too. And I forgot to drill the BB where the other tubes meet it, meaning there aren't vent holes between the tubes.
All things considered, for a first attempt at a frame with no prior metal work experience and made in the back yard I'm well happy. Probably spent about 20hrs planning and 25hrs building (inc the jig). Plenty of lessons learnt on this frame though to take forward to the next one. Thanks for all the encouraging words from everyone who's followed this and commented too, it's really helped spur me on!