Oak Cycles - Frame repair, custom build, welding/brazing

bigger

Your bike is so pretty. I like that its got that 90s mtb look about it.

I could potentially post this in the custom bikes thread, but it picks up on two posts in this thread, so I'll risk asking it here.

I was thinking about the query by @BleakReference about a custom bike on a budget and wondered if it might not be cheaper, in some circumstances, to take a frame you like and "modify" it a little, rather than build a whole new bike. And reading about how @Wicksie had a bike modded seems to suggest that this is certainly feasible.

Less welds, less jigging = less time and materials = lower cost ??

Seems like a good re-use of a damaged frame, or perhaps something like a high-end Raleigh made of quality steel but with a BB cut with the non-standard 26tpi threading.

So, has anyone gone for this approach before and just modded a frame, rather than have one built from scratch?

Steve Goff can build you a low cost custom frame with Reynolds 520 tubing and TIG for probably a little more than a modification of a current frame.

I don't think it's as easy as you make it out to be, when I was talking to Ryan, he have a customer frame that was send back to him after a year or two because he wanted disc tabs and the like, he said that it's easier to just build it up from scratch (unless I misunderstood him).

Granted you can't just shrink or stretch a frame at will, I was just chucking an idle thought out.

What came to mind was that you might shorten the chainstays, to tighten up the geometry on the rear triangle and close up a huge clearance. Or got a broken seat tube? Replace it, and at the same time change to track dropouts and bring the seat stays in sharper, to below the TT, to stiffen the ride up a bit. It would only work with certain mods on certain frames though.

Oak-ay folks,
I put down my deposit yesterday for a stem in Reynolds 853 for my bike.
This will be the icing on the cake / pièce de résistance.
It will also be Ryan's first stem produced, so we're both really excited over how it will turn out...
It should be ready in a month or so.
Peace and Love,
Tim

Massive congrats to Ryan for winning a prize at Bespoked!

Yup, nice one!

Yeah, go see him and get something built... Top class...

'Best Touring Bicycle' from Oak, fact.
Massive congratulations and well deserved. Oak are going from strength to strength.

Booking in my build asap.

Congrats, Ryan and Nik!

'twas a grand show indeed. Loved the Oak Tourer.

I wonder if Gridds visited...

Would, would.

Do you think they had to threaten Ryan with a stick to get him to take his cycling cap off for the photo?

he looks quite similar to you without a cap

Do you think they had to threaten Ryan with a stick to get him to take his cycling cap off for the photo?

Not enough to pull him away from that hoodie.

Congrats Niki and Ryan, here are some of my pictures I've capture of his beast!

Bike Pure represent.

Ryan is currently modifying a Brompton to take disc brakes, Alfine 11 and a motor on the front wheel.

It look awesome (will upload photos).

^^^ 1 x something with off-road potential but no chain guide / front mech?

1 Attachment

Greetings to each and every one,

Well I approached Ryan a while back for a stem in 853 to be the icing on the cake / pièce de résistance for my bike.

Ryan had not made one before but was as keen to learn as I was to have one.

I went down to Oak HQ yesterday to look at the stem he has made for me over the weekend.

It is truly a work of beauty, really simple and I love it.

Not sure if the photo will work as I'm not all that good at this computer lark, but hey.

It will go for off to be painted white at the end of the week.

Stay tuned for the finished result of Oak stem #1 in a few week's time.

Peace and love,
Tim