First Time Framebuilder

Built up and riding great!

Getting closer!

This was almost issue #2. There’s just a few millimeters of clearance between the small chainring on my SRAM crank and the chainstays. Should be ok but it’s a bit too close for comfort!

Issue #1 discovered during the build up: the Salsa fork doesn’t have a long enough steerer tube to deal with the massive head tube on my frame. Need to special order another fork :(

Back from West Coast Powder with a full coat of Little Red Wagon red. Starting the build up soon!

Getting ready for the frame build up! (Taken with instagram)

The guys at Firefly Bicycles in Boston are putting out some really nice stuff. Love the way they do their anodized graphics.

(Source: fireflybicycles)

Validation!

Yesterday I had the chance to stop by Rivendell Bikes. If you haven’t heard of these guys, you need to check them out. The owner Grant provides a great counterpoint to the majority of bike shops that focus on racing geometry frames regardless of the rider.

Kevin, one of the guys at Rivendell, took the time to put me on one of their Hillborne bikes (like the one shown above). He walked me through how they fit people to the right frame size, explaining that in their experience most people are riding frames that are 2-6cm too small. After measuring my PBH, he said a ~64 cm frame would be just about right. After riding a Hillborne close to this size, I was convinced - it was so comfortable! I went home and measured my new frame - and it’s almost 65cm! I think I’m on the right track and can’t wait to get it painted so I can go for a ride.

Ready for paint!

Done (sort of).

This is what the frame looks like after the final brazing work on the last day of class (adding the small parts). Now the finish work begins. There won’t be enough time to do the finish work in class, so I’ll have to do most of it on my own before the big show in a few weeks.