Tonic Fabrication Supernaut

This isn't a brand new bike, but I've been spring cleaning it this weekend and will be fitting new wheels and a new drive-train, so thought I'd document that and any future upgrades.

I purchased this from Tokyo Fixed in 2012. I'd been toying with a custom build, but after a long delay I found this and went for it instead. I had actually first seen the exact frameset in the Spring 2011 issue (07) of 'Fixed Mag'.

I had it built up with SRAM Omniums, EAI cog, Nitto bullhorns, Thomson finishing kit and one of Varno's wheelsets. I don't like to ride brakeless, but, despite taking it to several frame builders, I couldn't find anyone who was able to drill the frameset fork. This was a shame, especially given that Tonic Fabrication were able to provide instructions.

Eventually I settled on purchasing an aftermarket carbon fork (Tifosi), that's drilled to take a brake. Although for a while this was very much a dry weather only bike (alongside my wet-weather fixed gear hack and Canyon road bike), it seemed too nice to sit idle, as the Canyon was getting all the leisure miles (plus I hated my wet-weather tank by this point). I made the decision to get rid of the hack bike and equip the Tonic with removable race-blade guards which only see action when the forecast dictates. I have even brought it out on a sportive last summer where, praise be, the weather ended up great and gave me a real taste for fixed gear endurance rides.

Perhaps unexpectedly, a couple of winters have taken their toll, despite (and perhaps also thanks) to a lot of vigorous cleaning. No matter - I do love the opportunity to buy new parts and take everything to pieces. The new bits are: a replacement FSA headset (I did that last week) a replacement Omnium ring (48T), a new SRAM PC01 chain (I've tried the rest, but this is the best IMVHO), a Zodiak Moscow cog (19T) and a new wheelset from Varno (Mach1 front rim, 30mm rear), which replaces a 30mm front and 40mm rear. In the coming weeks it will see new tyres (likely Gatoskin folding Harshells), a new brake cable and new bartape (Lizardskins perhaps). I foolishly forgot to weight the full bike before dismantling it. The weight of the old wheelset with tyres and tubes is 3.34kg and, as I'll be putting the same tyres and tubes on the new wheels, will know what (if any) weight savings have been achieved. Will update this thread when I finish assembling tomorrow evening. FWIW the weight of the frame and GXP BB is 2.30kg.

6 Attachments

Interested to hear if the Zodiak cogs are as smooth/quiet as the EAI equivalents. Need a new 17T

^ ditto. lovely frame btw, looks ace

Rebuild is complete. Weighs in at 9.3kg. Pretty heavy, but that's not terribly important with this bike and I'm happy with the majority of the components. I may upgrade to some of the higher end ATAC pedals and a better fork (any recommendations?) at some stage.

2 Attachments

Still, seems heavy for a bike that is fairly minimal. Is the frame a tank?

Frame and GXP BB is 2.30kg. The wheelset with tubes and tyres (RibMo) is 3.25kg. Tifosi fork is 621g before steerer is cut. Then the rest is all pretty standard stuff - Time ATACs, SRAM Omnium cranks and chainring, SRAM PC01 chain, Arione Manganese, Shimano 105 brake, SRAM S500 levers, Deda Piega bars, Thomson Elite post/stem/clamp.

@Turkish @JT - Zodiak is dead smooth and quiet.

I think switching to folding Hardshells alone will bring it under 9kg...

I think you passed me rolling down De Bouvoire road / Pitfield street this morning. I was on the Mash with the stupid bars.

I remember this from from when I was working in TF! Lovely ride and lovely build.

Ah. The wheels. :-)

Really like it though! Would love a Supernaut.

@Mechamorgan - With a Corima? Meant to say nice wheel. Those bars look like fun.

@JB - Yeah, this is gonna get punished so I went for strength over weight (and cost). Certainly won't be looking at any carbon on this build, other than the fork blades ;-)

It's like riding a huge, stupid BMX. Honestly, I need to cut them down a bit, they're too wide by about 10 cm at present.

Needs enve forks and ellipses

Just out of interest, how are you keeping the unused brake lever from rattling? The SRAM ss brake levers don't have springs, right?

No they don't - electrical tape.

I've got a very strong urge to upgrade some of the stuff on this. Any advice?

I guess the wheels are the main thing holding it back. And maybe the fork. I don't think I can afford an Enve fork, but I'd consider upgrading that to save some weight.

Also keen to go up to 31.8 on the bars/stem.

I'v got a set of black Phil Wood on Mavic Open Pros - if you're interested?

Potentially - want to PM me some info? Thanks!

Decided to replace this with something more practical (disc brakes, 37mm tyres, full guards, rack...)

This will be for sale in the very near future, but if anyone is particularly interested in either this full build along with the original fork (aside from pedals and saddle) or just the frame set, feel free to PM me :)

Could be interested in the frameset. What price do you have in mind?

So nice, shame to sell!

After managing to find a way to keep hold of it, this has been re-born for Lee Valley. Needed to keep the costs low, so got a 15t sprocket from Condor (48x15) some cheap bars and a 100mm stem.

I have some Look Keo 2's on my road bike which I'll swap onto this when required, and already had the Flite and the tyres (25mm) - which are causing some rear clearance worries with the current gearing, as you can probably see in the picture. I have some 23mm Gatorskins, but I suspect the velodrome may have an issue with them (although the guidance they provide is basically just 'no Michellin or dual compounds').

1 Attachment

Nice clean build that, like it.

I need to rebirth this again as a Sunday park rider. Have a 19t sprocket to go back down to 48x19, but I think I want to run risers with a front brake (a Shimano 105 which I have).

Any recommendations on a bar and lever?

This is aways been one of my favorite frame i can't wait to see it rebuilt.