Orlowski Appreciation Thread

People have been making copies for years.
Find a Kendo Orbit

Superbe sprint is remarkably similar too though without the cantilever dropouts

Hi

Just wanted to share mine

Bought in (i think) 2012 and have done some modifications since

Few things still to be done (frame, front axle, crankz) but so far i am quite happy

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I've had a few emails now with Orlowski about having a bike built with the same geometry as this forum build. I believe it's based on the Soma Wolverine.

Thing is, I'm out of my depth here. What I really want is something racey that I can tour on. Think an all steel Caad12 with the ability to run 700x38 and take front panniers. And I'd also like to then swap out to 650x47 for long gravel tours and commuting. It must have a level top tube.

Is there a better base bike I should be starting from? I guess if I start from the caads geo I'll have tires touching the down tube.

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1 1/8 steel curved and disc is a shit combo IMO

fairlight secan has 'racey' geo
Mason too

I'm fine with 1 1/8 steel curved and quick release tbh. Important parts for me are horizontal TT and steel fork.

I think I should probably start with a Brother Kepler?

Technical reasons or personal taste?

bit of both

Standert Pfadfinder is a good starting point.

Curved fork ain’t going to feel Racey, neither is a Kepler

And nice looking.

Right idea. See if you can find a carbon fork that can take front panniers, spork ? steel forks will weigh about 3x carbon forks.

One tip for orlowski, specify EVERY detail. You cant give too much info on what you want. Finding pictures of what you want for each detail is a good idea

See if you can find a carbon fork that can take front panniers

Does this exist? Last time I looked into it, came to the conclusion we weren't there yet.

Lightweight bottle cages yes, full rack no

I feel like a lighweight lowrider rack and a small panniers would be fine on something like a spork? Ive seen pictures of racks used on mid leg mudguard mounts. As long as some of the weight is spread onto the axle it should be fine

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/15036968/

If this can take front rack it should take panniera, right?

If this can take front rack it should take panniera, right?

Possibly, but not sure I'd risk it on say a week long tour through a foreign country. Think I'll stick to steel for now.

Have your received a quote for such frame set? Do you mind sharing? (Dm if yes)

I'd rather have the traditional looking steel fork than save a kg on this if I'm honest.

Thanks for the tips, I'll try to iron out all details before ordering.

I started with a Soma Wolverine and made the following changes on bike cad:

• reduction in TT slope (now only 2deg)
  
• seat tube bottle cage mount lowered
  
• sliding dropouts removed (fixed dropouts set at 425mm)
  
• headtube shortened
  
• top tube shortened to 54cm (and the wheelbase along with it)
  
  

I'll be using Columbus Zona with an oversized DT. No rack mounts on the rear of the frame. Front loaded only.

Any advice would be appreciated.

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Sorry, if you explained this before, but why would you choose such a short headtube/stack?

Two reasons really,

1) I'm prety flexible, and have no problem riding traditional geometery bikes for long periods of time.
2) I'm totally out of my element when it comes to creating my own bike geometery

I thought this HT length was standard for a flat TT 54cm frameset?

I am not an expert regarding frame geometry either, its just that i would definitely struggle to be comfortable on a bike with a headtube 2 cm shorter than a caad. I would personally go for a 140mm headtube,if its for longer rides, but I am not flexible at all..so maybe just
envious..

No rack mounts on the rear of the frame. Front loaded only.

Why not have them installed anyway and not use them?

You'r not taking into account the external and headset and much longer forks which the CAAD doesn't have

Why not have them installed anyway and not use them?

was wondering this as well. maybe want/need them in the future?