Custom Orlowski Workhorse

Don't sell!

I'd be all over this but I have a horrible feeling it's far too big for me.

It would be a heartbreaker that's for sure.

Basically I work as a courier and got injured a while back, no work = no wages and so my savings dried up. Now a change in life - circumstances means I need the $$$ for relocation/deposit and hopefully an exciting new project.

I'm really hoping it doesn't come to it but in reality this is the bike that's worth the most and I ride the least (though it's far and away my favourite) so if needs must…it's the one that has to go

For Sale £400 for the frame, headset and seatclamp

There's one condition though - the buyer has to keep this thread updated. I'd love to see how it gets built up and what it goes on to do

Also I want first dibs :)

ah shit, having quietly seen this thread burn away it's been a pleasure, however I can vouch for selling on material goods in pursuit of new dreams, it can be very therapeutic!

Cheers, yeah it's a bit sad but even more exciting, I definitely feel like I'm on the right track

My old man talked some sense into me: I had it custom made for me exactly as I wanted it and because of that it has to be worth more to me than it ever could be to anyone else. I'm so glad to still have it.

I really needed my summer break from courier work and London this year, I was shot to bits from work, training, racing and injury, in need of some R&R before starting the cycle again. I spent a glorious few months working and putting in long, slow rides in the countryside aboard the Orlowski, set up like this:

(I was having some knee niggles and doing a bit of trail and error with fit to try and alleviate it which is why the saddle is pushed forward, turns out cleats back a saddle down a bit did the trick)

I'm now back at work in London on the Dolan but it really is on its last legs, fingers crossed it'll last till Christmas then over the break I'll strip it down, hang it on the wall and build up the Orlo with those parts.

The omniums/FLOs etc will be going on a new serious biz project which isn't quite finished but is taking great shape and has been super satisfying

Nice! So many people seem to be building their own frames atm. What will differentiate this from your orlowski? Other than (apparently) being built by you. I'm really really glad you decided to keep it, I'm the type who gets sentimentally attached to frames and when someone else does the same it makes me feel more okay about it...

Where's the pic taken? Beautiful. I'm also glad yer keepin it, and the new build looks very interesting, more details please.

Well it's only natural, we've suffered scratches but also been to beautiful places and experienced incredible things together and so a bond is formed, wabi sabi and all that...

Yep the new frame's built with me own two hands to be a pure track machine. Specifically it's got steeper angles, steel fork with less rake and compact geo, which translates to stiffer, a lot lighter and more stable handling

Suffolk buh! :)

Really glad to see you kept it.

Thought it looked Suffolky, me dad lives down that way, maybe on me next visit I should take the bike with me.

Cheers buddy, as am I

Yeah you really should, everyone (who's not ridden a bike there) will tell you it's flat but while there's no cols there no flat road in the county. That combined with the heavy road surfaces makes for pretty challenging riding. Plus you can do whole day rides on nothing but country lanes, it's so refreshing when you're used to traffic dodging in London

The new frameset is finished functionally but still need to finish it aesthetically

Here's the measurements, build spec and probable colour-scheme:

looks good, any pics of the finished frame?

Not at the minute, I'm away visiting family while the frame's in London...still unfinished

A few new bits transferred over to the Dolan, a long overdue saddle and new stem, I'd preferred a shorter reach than my other bikes for work but feel like I need to stretch out for longer rides

UP !

Just discovered this thread. Great read.

What are the bars on the Dolan from when you were doing Canada to Mexico?

Aye there's an update pending

Cinelli Valencia

Final build of the Dolan before I decommissioned it last week:

considering what it's put up with the value for money is unreal, it really is done now though. There's only about 3mm of dropout left where the hub has bitten so far into it, there's chunks missing from the chain stay and so much flex in the rear end.

This means to Olowski has been built back up as originally intended: a workhorse. Less posh than before but it fits and feels so good, such a smooth, responsive and fun ride. I've been using it for work the past week and it's such a treat to ride it so much. Took it to the track last night too which was a blast.