Fixed // Road // Bikepacking (custom steel fixed audax bike for a big guy)

Braze on eyelets and internal routing incoming!

how much was the frame to build, may i ask?

The entry price with"Reynolds" Chromo 4130 is around 250$US for a frame, +30 for heat treatment and 100$ for the fork. To this, add 120$ for shipping cost.

In my case it does cost a bit more because I decided to go for a higher end tubing and some extra optional fees (stem, front rack, etc), but text him for a quote. He's very friendly (more if you speak spanish, of course). It is very affordable indeed, for such a frame.

As a long distance amateur, a correctly fitted bike and the capability of doing about all what I wanted on a fixed frame is almost priceless for me — worth the 500/600$US investment :)

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sounds very good value.

I love how fast this is happening. Any idea on colour scheme yet?

"Blue is the colour ...
So cheer us on through the sun and rain"

Now I know how thrilling ordering yourself a custom frame can be. I wanted nothing but a bike that fits me, and full of those little things that makes your day even nicer, while out riding.

When talking to Marino, I was like "Can you please do internal routing for my dynamo lighting system?" He was answering "Si, ningún problema". And again and again "Can you do this, can you do this ?" As a matter of fact, we discussed a lot about the biek I really would love to ride, what was my needs in real life, etc.

Then I explained my riding style to the framebuilder, and according to my bikefit datas, to the tubing I wanted, to the aesthetics I loved, we designed the bike at the other side of the world.
Fortunately, I've always been really much into bikecad, bike parts, and have assembled and choosen all my bike parts since years, so I knew exactly what to look for.

The frame builder and bike fitter were game, willing co-conspirators. Through this dialogue, Marino went for immediate but meaningful solutions. I was impatient ! There was this long days where I tucked my waiting away and then suddenly I was so happy to have pictures of the work in progress. Today, he sent me again some pictures and I do not regret a single bit of this process.
A few things needs to be done now. So far, so good.

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You getting a custom fork as well? Looks ace!

I might use a carbon fork sometimes, but it would be a shame not to go for a full steel one !

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Looks very good ! No eyelets for mudguards ?

Rear eyelets before polishing

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Love the concealed eyelets- nice project!

This is looking gorgeous! Is it 4130 cromoly like his website suggests or something fancier?

If you ask him nicely, maybe he could do better tubing for you too !
I've been opting for a Columbus assortment of inox tubes, yet the fork is cromoly 4130 triple butted and oversized.

If you ask him nicely, maybe he could do better tubing for you too !

That's certainly what I was thinking of! ;) Thanks!

Hello folks.

As my life settles in a boring routine full of cars, sound and fury, I decided to go adventuring. It gets me that I woke up seven time a week without any avidity to ride my bike, in the cold smog of Paris. There is just nothing to write home about!
In the following days — leaving on January 3th — I will ride my bike from Avignon to Barcelona, with a small detour. For the party I recruited a good friend of mine who is nothing but a full jackass.
Roads are nice especially in the Costa Brava, and quiet at the moment. We will sleep in bothies, churches, friends places, or anything nice and warm because I'm a fucking broke youngster. I'm bringing with me my flask of brandy wine, I declare !

I'll ride my fixed roadie that appeared previously on this thread.
Honest to God, it shall be good fun !
Map: https://www.strava.com/routes/11471871

Bon courage mon gars!

I really enjoy the way you write, looking forward to reading more!

Sounds like great fun, don't forget to take pictures!

Our paths will almost cross, as I'll be riding North to Valence on the 2nd and from there taking the train back to Paris.

Well envious, good luck!

Damned! It could have been fun to ride together again...

This is really fun because I'm disappointed by my poor English. I feel like everything struggles to break free of French habits.
It does feel even more frustrating that I've once felt at ease with English...

Leaving for a week to ride such incredible landscapes, it might give me a chance!

Bike is ready to paint!
Very excited to see it blue coated now.

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Painted in the oven. Drying.

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