The Two Bicycles of Varonha.

There is a lot of experience in those fillets

I know, considering the man's pedigree, you'd expect there to be a longish waiting list, but then again, he just seems to choose the jobs he fancies doing.

His social media presence sucks. I like him even more for that. Mario and Winston and some of the nicest builders/finishers I've met.

He's certainly not into it for the 'gram points. Couldn't agree more, nice to see people doing what they like, when they like, no song and dance, just let the customer promote the work.

*goes to the workshop to practice fillets...

Ah man, you're doing alright ;)

What's the story about bespoke Reynolds stays?

No idea. I don't know if they're "bespoke" to me, or just summat that they didn't have stock of, so are knocking up a pair for Winston, next time I speak to him I'll ask. Didn't really think to ask, as long as they hold my back wheel at an appropriate distance from the seattube, and are of sufficient strength, I'm happy. I'm pretty low maintenance in that regard.

"bespoke"

I hear you're getting a bespoke frame so I've ordered you some bespoke stays, etc.

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Summat along those lines, yep.

This frame sounds wonderful. Really excited to see it.

That makes two of us! Been enjoying your titanium build thread, forks look very nice.

Small update, chainstays have arrived with Winston, work can progress. For those with enquiring minds, I have asked if there's owt special about my chainstays, will let you all know as soon as I know.
In the meantime, here's a bit more frame goodness.

The chainstays Winston ordered from Reynolds were a "gravel" type, which were out of stock, so they knocked him a pair up and sent them off to be heat treated, hence the miniscule delay.
There's a chance it could be at the blasters next week, then filing and polishing, then upstairs to Mario. Exciting!

It seems very practical to have a brother-from-the-same-mother in your suply chain living above you.

It does seem to speed up the process somewhat.

I think I remember Winston saying that they only had one stay left when he placed the order so they had to make some more. No idea what that involves in the factory but have heard of similar situations before - and Winston has a close relationship with Reynolds and Ceeway so he can ask for this kind of thing.

Frame should be back from blasters on Tuesday, then Winston will have at it with a file, sand paper, and polishing tools, then off to be painted.
I'm going for a metallic mid/dark gunmetal, he's asked if paint or powdercoat, pros and cons of both, if the hive mind has opinions, let's hear em please.

Spent a vast proportion (way too much) of yesterday reading/researching about paint and powdercoat finishes, it would appear my inner geek has been awoken.
After several hours on tinterweb, and a phone conversation with Winston, I am not having a dark gunmetal metallic frameset, as @Hulsroy said top of this page - there's a lot of experience in those fillets, so it would be a shame to cover them more than is necessary, I (we) have decided to go the clear powdercoat route (Winston has built a Dogs Bollox recently, clear coated, and it's holding up well), should look very nice with my black and polished components.
Excitement building, head exploding imminent!

For the record - powdercoat is much tougher... but you loose the clear-cut shorelines on a lugged frame.

Should be nice to see this with only clearcoat

Also, seriously... I cannot believe yours is already finished!

Just to be clear (get it) I've never suggested clear coat. I firmly believe fillets should be painted. That's the whole point of spending hours sanding them

No, I didn't mean to imply you meant to clear coat it, but I've always wanted a clear coat frame, but never had one with nice enough welds/fillets, so here we go, can always get it painted in the future, probably when I go direct mount Paul Racer brakes.

It's not finished, Winston still needs to file/sand/polish, the bits he really loves doing!
We've agreed that he should take his time, do other jobs as well, just so he doesn't go nuts trying to get it as smooth/clean as possible, if it ends up taking a little longer, then so be it, I'd rather we were both happy with the final outcome, than trying to rush it through.

:)