Functional bikes. Not Porn not Anti

I love Hunter frames... not so sure about the shifters on this. I guess it could work, but it'd be a bit awkward.

I don't see moustache handlebars as functional.

I don't see moustache handlebars as functional.

They work quite well. I have a pair. I like them.

Well, then you're doing it wrong.

Something practical and extremely refined at the same time:

That's the uglier version of this:

http://www.englishcycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/English_Cycles_011_3127.jpg

I would do ungodly things for this bike. Currently putting together a functionally similar Pompetamine. Can't help but feel it'll come up somewhat short :(

I truly despite those brake/shift levers, I can't image how Rob managed to make it work effortlessly.

Also the mudguard are almost non-functional, pretty obvious when the bike still get dirty despite having them.

Otherwise loved it.

Any bike will get dirty with enough country road wet miles.

That's the uglier version of this

Does anyone else find the English builds amazing, but yet utterly hidious? I have a real love hate relationship with them.

Also did anyone else manage to work out if the LHT was the 26" or 700c version of the frame?

I think Rob's own winter bike is one of the most exciting bikes I've seen in years!

Hub gearing is still too heavy but it's like a prototype for the future of road bikes and so relevant to uk conditions.

Is it a shiny item to fetishise? No.

For me it depends on frame size. His style of super skinny, super compact frames really seems to work for some bikes and others, even though only subtly different, are gopping. Like the two above.

The other thing that, visually, I think fails is when he does TT bikes. They just don't lend themselves to the skinny metal tube construction and look like weird retro-futuristic mountain bikes or something.

I'm glad he's chasing solutions to problems though, rather than filing lugs and going down the typical steel show bike avenue.

This Pompentine sounds interesting. Will you do a thread once it's underway?

http://www.lfgss.com/thread95621.html

Not much to post so far so, but parts have started to show up, though some of the pricier items will need to wait until I have the cash or come across deals.

So far it's going to be:

• XL Pompetamine - White, but I don't like the gold logos. They're under the clear and I don't want to pay for a blast/powder so have a few ideas of ways to address the issue. Also have one of the sweet metal headtube badges for it.
  
• Hope headset (got)
  
• Hope seat clamp
  
• Thomson post (got)
  
• Thomson stem (got)
  
• Midge bars (got)
  
• Specialized Romin (got)
  
• Truvativ Stylo cranks (borrowed from my MTB)
  
• Alfine 8 / Mavic TN 319 rim
  
• XT front hub / Mavic TN 319 rim
  
• JTek bar end shifter
  
• BB5 Road calipers (got)
  
• SRAM 500 brake levers
  
• Look Quartz pedals
  
• VO hammered mudguards (painted)
  
  

I have some Easton EA70 wheels kicking about that aren't in use. I'm thinking that I could stick some cross tyres on them and use spacers and a cassette cog to run it single speed while I wait for a good deal on the Alfine/shifter.

I should have some progress pictures to post in the next week or so I'm hoping.

http://www.lfgss.com/thread95621.html

Not much to post so far so, but parts have started to show up, though some of the pricier items will need to wait until I have the cash or come across deals.

So far it's going to be:

• XL Pompetamine - White, but I don't like the gold logos. They're under the clear and I don't want to pay for a blast/powder so have a few ideas of ways to address the issue. Also have one of the sweet metal headtube badges for it.
  
• Hope headset (got)
  
• Hope seat clamp
  
• Thomson post (got)
  
• Thomson stem (got)
  
• Midge bars (got)
  
• Specialized Romin (got)
  
• Truvativ Stylo cranks (borrowed from my MTB)
  
• Alfine 8 / Mavic TN 319 rim
  
• XT front hub / Mavic TN 319 rim
  
• JTek bar end shifter
  
• BB5 Road calipers (got)
  
• SRAM 500 brake levers
  
• Look Quartz pedals
  
• VO hammered mudguards (painted)
  
  

I have some Easton EA70 wheels kicking about that aren't in use. I'm thinking that I could stick some cross tyres on them and use spacers and a cassette cog to run it single speed while I wait for a good deal on the Alfine/shifter.

I should have some progress pictures to post in the next week or so I'm hoping.

I would go with MTB BB5 calipers, and drop bar, v-brake levers. Once you've taken the shifting out of the levers, why go with road pull?

I already have the BB5 road calipers. I contacted someone in the classified selling some CC SCR-5C levers, but never heard back.

You reckon BB5 roads and road levers would be insufficient? My only experience of disk brakes are Hope 4 pots running 203/180mm...might be up for disappointment with the BB5s?

ETA: I know nothing of whatsoever disc brakes and MTB componentry.

http://www.lfgss.com/thread95621.html

Not much to post so far so, but parts have started to show up, though some of the pricier items will need to wait until I have the cash or come across deals.

So far it's going to be:

• XL Pompetamine - White, but I don't like the gold logos. They're under the clear and I don't want to pay for a blast/powder so have a few ideas of ways to address the issue. Also have one of the sweet metal headtube badges for it.
  

what do you have in mind for the decals? I have the same isue. Thinking about either having some stickers made to cover them or simply paint panels over them.

I'm going with panels. Probably with some thinner coloured bands at the ends of the panels. Been looking into typefaces for the new logos, but have no idea how would be best to get them made up. There are plenty of cheap places on ebay, but they seem to all have a stock range of 5 or 6 fonts to choose from.

Potentially, I'm thinking of basing it on the colour scheme of the new Rapha drawstring hat thing. I could swear that someone once posted here a Nature Boy with silver Thomson kit, pink tape and a white/pink fizik saddle. Was one of the best looking affordable bikes I can recall. Spent hours trying to find it, but failed :(

I wanted to recreate that, but couldn't spend on the All CIty frame. As happens though, but the time I build the 'cheap' version, the extra cost of the better frame would work out to be pretty negligible overall.

May get to keep the pink tape of the dream bike though ;)

http://omniumcargo.dk/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/DSC8573.jpg
http://omniumcargo.dk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/DSC8525.jpg
Danish Cargo Bikes coming in January 2013. http://omniumcargo.dk

Front tyres look too small to carry much cargo?

Absolutely!

A 2" tyre would not be out of place for a small wheel that has to carry so much load.

yes, but a low(er) pressure 2" tyre bouces more than a 1.25" at high pressure

Sanddancer, that build sounds awesome, appart from the BB5s. I've set a few of the road ones up at work with shimano road levers and they feel really nasty. A big part of the problem is the pads never seem to sit parallel. I have a BB7s on my Pompetamine with a tektro R200 lever and couldn't reccomend them enough. Would say it's worth ebaying the BB5s and upgrading myself.

Also, I've just had my Pomp powder coated and will be getting some more decals made up soon. I have a mate that does them for me. Going for this logo but with a Yorkshire rose instead of the burst/splat thing. Might be able to get a couple of extra sets done if you and dron are interested?

Got a set of Blumels and some Randonneur Hypers to go on the bike tomorrow so might have to get a pic in here soon.

new wheelset and ok, puurrfect!

I'm going with panels. Probably with some thinner coloured bands at the ends of the panels.

great minds... I've been looking at classic suzuki livery http://www.motorsportretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/bikes_xr14jpg.jpg

yes, but a low(er) pressure 2" tyre bouces more than a 1.25" at high pressure

lower pressure tyres roll and absorb the vibration better.