650B Elephant National Forest Explorer

On the Oak? I loved the centerpull on that,, also the Oak will go through a new modification from Ryan, let just says it'll be... shiny.

Not specifically for you, I can see the difference in purpose between the Oak and this.

In more general terms it seems low-trail geometry is pretty easily replicated by increasing fork offset so I was considering getting a second fork built for my Cross Check. Admittedly a custom fork would cost more than I paid for both frame and fork.

Ah, I actually did just that on the Tokyo Fixed Dream Machine, it cost me £200.

However Thorn have a similar fork but with 55mm rake for half the cost of a custom;

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/700c-thorn-st-700-steel-fork-55-mm-offset-prod32711/

Problem is, trail won't be that close to a proper low trail (51mm of trail with 28mm tyres and 72 degree headtube*), but no reason why you can't re-rake the fork a bit to bring it closer to 60mm rake (45mm trail), that'll likely to steepen the head angle a bit bringing the trail closer.

*originally the Cross Check fork have approx 62mm trail with 28mm tyres.

I feel like I might as well as go custom for an extra £100 and go for a full 70-80mm offset which will give me 40-30mm trail (with 35mm tyres and my current head tube angle). It also has the advantage I won't be shortening the fork and adjusting the rest of the geometry at all. I need forward facing eyelets for my rack too, which the Thorn doesn't have.

Electra were selling a cheap ($50 on sale) 80mm offset fork, with a variety of options. All sold out now with no plans to produce any more. Would have been a cheaper way to experiment.

Update: let just says it won't be long to go before it's being sent off to be powdercoated.

After payday, wheelset will be ordered.

I feel like I might as well as go custom for an extra £100 and go for a full 70-80mm offset which will give me 40-30mm trail (with 35mm tyres and my current head tube angle). It also has the advantage I won't be shortening the fork and adjusting the rest of the geometry at all. I need forward facing eyelets for my rack too, which the Thorn doesn't have.

Electra were selling a cheap ($50 on sale) 80mm offset fork, with a variety of options. All sold out now with no plans to produce any more. Would have been a cheaper way to experiment.

I don't know if it'll fit in with the geo of a cross check, but Soma have a low trail fork in the pipe-line, been ages without any development though, I hope they haven't dropped it (there was supposed to be a canti and a caliper version) http://somafab.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/low-trail-forks.html

edit: they're now in production so will be available soon! http://somafab.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/soma-champs-elysees-mini-racks.html

65mm offset is a good amount, trails should be around 40mm.

This is what I imagine this bike will be like http://prollyisnotprobably.com/2014/03/2014-nahbs-mega-huge-oversized-gallery/#39

Got paid today, wheelset ordered;

Will run 8 speed downtube friction shift for now, and removing the rims decal too of course.

This is going to look lovely Ed. Nice one.

Out of interest, have you decided which rear derailleur you are going to fit?

Currently I got a full Campagnolo Chorus groupset, but for now, I'll just wack on an old Deore with 11-30.

This looks fantastic. Is there anything equivalent available OTP?

Did I ever say I like you Ed?

I use that line on you.

Well, right back at ya. Beautiful project and am eager to see how it turns out.

This looks fantastic. Is there anything equivalent available OTP?

Soma Grand Randonneur is probably the closest you'll get.

thanks, looks good but not disc brake

That's the thing, I can't find any OTP with the exact kind of specification I look for, except for the Elephants, the price is higher than an OTP but really cheap for a custom frame that have been tried and tested (£950), even better value with the additional free upgrade to the fillet brazing.

I found a handful of low trail 650b OTP bicycle, but they're a standard rims brake version rather than disc.

Soma Grand Randonneur, like nearly all the Soma frame, (except the Rivendell designed San Marcos) is long and low*, doesn't really fit a lots of people.

*exactly like Surly, just slightly less stack.

That's the thing, I can't find any OTP with the exact kind of specification I look for, except for the Elephants, the price is higher than an OTP but really cheap for a custom frame that have been tried and tested (£950), even better value with the additional free upgrade to the fillet brazing.

What is the checklist of features that you are looking for?

I assume it's still the same as the first post...

As titled, with cable pull disc brakes, clearance for 650B 2.1 MTB tyres 42mm w/ guard) and mahoosh front rack for panniers and bag.

And the implication that the geo will be suitable for riding with the front rack/panniers

I assume it's still the same as the first post...

And the implication that the geo will be suitable for riding with the front rack/panniers

It's another win for only keeping half an eye on a thread whilst on the phone and with other tabs open!

I was thinking about a genesis croix de fer frame and custom low trail disc fork but I do like the look of those elephants I must say.

^^^ Pretty much, but with some of my own request such as a lower than standard bottom bracket (my Oak is 255mm from the bottom bracket to the ground), slightly taller headtube to slam the stem (ahead mean I'll just flip it upside down), downtube shifter mount, full brake housing routing, no rear rack mount, semi-compact to run a bikepacking saddlebag.

I went for Elephants due to the feedback it got in regard to the steel fork and disc brakes, Glen is confident with this design after many trial and error to ensure ride quality isn't reduced with the disc;

I was thinking about a genesis croix de fer frame and custom low trail disc fork but I do like the look of those elephants I must say.

The slack head angle of the Genesis (unless you need the much larger size) mean you'll need a massive amount of rake* to get the low trail geometry.

*71 degree head tube mean 80mm rake on the fork to get a trail of 35mm with 32mm tyres, which will look incredibly weird like those old Indian town bike.

The "magic" number that Rene Herse have set the standard is 73 degree head angle with a 65mm fork rake (or 60mm for 32mm tyres on 700c), like this MAP S&P;

My Oak is closer to a 72 degree headtube (69mm fork rake) due to the incredibly short top tube that if it's any steeper, the mudguard will foil the downtube, pedal overlap were the least of my concern;

whats the eta on this badboy?