Retrobike

67 Framebuilding Steps with Paul Brodie

Paul Brodie — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:06:14 +0000

Want to be able to build a frame like Paul Brodie? Follow this handout Paul has devised for his framebuilding 101 course and it’ll give you a start. Better still of course attend one of his courses

The PROCESS:

1. design frame
2. full scale drawing
3. select tubing
4. mark DT for butting
5. mitre DT for BB
6. NS / Tig DT to BB
7. align DT to BB
8. setup main triangle jig
9. option: ovalize top of DT
10. mitre DT for HT, deburr
11. check DT / HT fit on jig
12. mitre seat tube; notch for DT
13. drill water bottle holes on DT and ST
14. mark TT for butting
15. mitre for HT, check fit on jig
16. mark mitre for the ST, ovalize TT if needed..
17. mitre TT for ST
18. assemble tubes on jig; check all mitre fits and adjust if necessary.
19. sand / clean all areas of tubes to be joined
20. re-assemble on jig
21. tack frame in jig using NS or Tig
22. remove front triangle from jig
23. Tig or NS / FB TT to HT
24. Tig or NS / FB DT and ST to BB
25. align DT and ST to the BB
26. align HT and ST on the surface table, allowing for future weld pull..
27. Tig or NS / FB DT to the HT
28. align HT and ST on the surface table, allowing for future weld pull..
29. Tig or NS / FB TT to the ST, and file up all FB’s
30. check HT / ST alignment once more
31. S/S water bottle BO’s
32. S/S cable routing BO’s
33. face HT ends
34. slot ST
35. drill hole and deburr
36. inspect front triangle. Congrats! You have built half a frame..
37. mitre CS for BB
38. mitre CS for DO’s
39. option: indent RH CS for chainring clearance
40. prep dropouts
41. assemble in CS jig / check tire clearance
42. Tig tack / NS CS to BB and DO’s
43. remove from jig
44. check frame against drawing
45. Tig or NS / FB CS to BB
46. face and chase BB threads
47. align DT and ST off BB
48. align HT and ST on surface table
49. align DO’s with HT and ST
50. mitre CS BT
51. NS BT between CS
52. align DO’s with HT / ST
53. bend SS
54. mitre top of SS for ST
55. mitre SS for rear DO’s
56. Tig tack and NS SS to ST and DO’s
57. NS SS to ST
58. Tig or NS / FB SS to DO’s
59. mitre SS BT
60. NS BT between SS
61. Tig or NS canti bosses or disc caliper mount
62. SS all remaining BO’s
63. ream ST to 27.2mm
64. align DO’s with HT / ST
65. option: align DO’s with the Campy tool..
66. stamp serial #
67. final frame inspection
Congrats on finishing your frame. Thanks for taking the course! PB

The LANGUAGE:
ST seat tube
DT down tube
TT top tube
HT head tube
SS seatstay
CS chainstay
BT bridge tube
BB bottom bracket
NS nickel silver
S/S silver solder
FB fillet braze
BO braze on
DO dropout
PB paul brodie

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Keith Bontrager Experimental

John — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:06:17 +0000

The words rare and unique are used all too freely in the world of retro – few bikes deserve to be described as such and this is truly one of them. This Bontrager Experimental was built around 1995 at Bontrager’s Santa Cruz frame shop and currently resides with a well regarded collector here in the UK.
This particular Bontrager Experimental and the other six or seven completed around the same time were built out of a debate as to which frame material was best. Keith Bontrager’s take was that no material could be said to be best and each should be used in a frame to optimize it’s properties. This frame consists of
*Large diameter Aluminium main triangle = Lightest and Stiffest.
*Steel chainstays and dropouts = small diameter tubing so the tyre chainstays and chainrings have good clearance and the most durable dropouts.
*Carbon Seatstays = The lightest and stiffest for brake mount stability (flexi stays make the rear brake feel Mushy)

To quote Bontrager on the end results

It turned out really well and could have been taken much further. No one was very interested in pursuing it further because it was complicated to make and the benefits seemed small.
The advantages were not tangible enough to make it an easy sell either. Light weight is such a dominant spec, its the only thing that sales really wants….

Now the sales of carbon has eclipsed all of the work in other materials its not really very useful anymore.

Sadly it would seem this innovative design at a time of homogenization in the MTB industry and was never explored any further than the prototype stage. The frame continued to be used by Bontrager for product testing until it was sold on back in 2011.

Thanks to Sinnerman aka Carl along with Keith Bontrager for allowing the bike to be featured on the site. Click here for the full Bontrager Experimental thread. Enjoy the images

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PoTM February 2013 is hollister’s ‘Recoil’

John — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:29:53 +0000

The February 2013 Photo of The Month #PoTM contest was won by hollister’s ‘Recoil’.

Click here to see hollister’s shot in all it’s glory

1. hollister’s ‘Recoil’

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PoTM January 2013 is yo-Nate-y’s ‘New Beginnings’

John — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:24:44 +0000

The January 2013 Photo of The Month #PoTM contest was won by yo-Nate-y’s ‘New Beginnings’.

Click here to see yo-Nate-y’s shot in all it’s glory

1. yo-Nate-y ‘New Beginnings’

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Raleigh Mustang to Maverick – FoD Scrapyard Challenge Ride

John — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:48:21 +0000

Mustang. Maverick. Cobra. All names from history of the UK MTB scene which stir the hearts of the true connoisseur. Yes, they were built from hi-tensile steel. Yes, they were better suited to the paper round than genuine off road. But still these early Raleigh’s and their ilk hold fond memories for many retrobikers of a certain age. The Retrobike West Midlands crew decided to celebrate these 35lbs plus behemoths with their Scrapyard challenge ride. Several brave riders toughed out the rain in the Forest of Dean with their side pull calipers and five speed friction shift gears to take on the first scrapyard challenge, check the full aftermath here.

Two Mavericks

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Jason McRoy’s Specialized S-Works from Dirt

John — Sat, 11 May 2013 10:17:09 +0000

Back in 1995 the iconic UK MTB video Dirt was filmed in and around the grounds of Pete Tomkins’ house in Yorkshire. Tragically one of the stars would never see the finished cut – UK MTB legend Jason McRoy’s life was cut short in August 1995.

The McRoy family have owned the bike Jason rode since then but have now decided to place it up for sale, click here to see JMC’s Specialized S-Works from Dirt auction on ebay and click here to discuss in the forum.

The bike has been cherished ever since and is specced as it was for the video – with the exception of the pedals and saddle. The small S-Works frame features carbon specialized suspension forks up front, partial XT groupset, Avid brakeset, DT hugi hubs, Azonic risers and of course a red Dave’s Chain Device aka the DCD. This S-Works was also raced by JMC on the dual slalom circuit that year. This is a unique chance to own a genuine piece of UK MTB history. Read on for more images of the bike..

JMC’s Specialized S-Works from Dirt

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Penfold6290′s 1990 Raleigh Dynatech is rBoTM April 2013

John — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:14:39 +0000

The April 2013 road Bike of The Month contest was taken by Penfold6290′s 1990 Raleigh Dynatech. Second was taken by Piperdave’s c1963 Claud Butler “Cordon Bleu” and third was taken by hatarmar’s Alan Special Cyclocross.

The full result is as follows

1. Penfold6290′s 1990 Raleigh Dynatech
2. Piperdave’s c1963 Claud Butler “Cordon Bleu”
3. hatarmar’s Alan Special Cyclocross

Click here for more details and full results

The April 2013 road Bike of The Month

1. Penfold6290′s 1990 Raleigh Dynatech

Click here for 1990 Raleigh Dynatech build thread.

2. Piperdave’s c1963 Claud Butler “Cordon Bleu”

Click here for Claud Butler “Cordon Bleu” build thread.

3. hatarmar’s Alan Special Cyclocross

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PoTM April 2013 is yo-Nate-y’s ‘Continuity’

John — Thu, 09 May 2013 09:27:27 +0000

The April 2013 Photo of The Month #PoTM contest was won by yo-Nate-y’s ‘Continuity’.

Now taking nominations for the May 2013 contest entitled ‘The Great Escape’.

Click here to see yo-Nate-y’s shot in all it’s glory

1. yo-Nate-y ‘Continuity’

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IbocProSX’s Soulcraft 29er & kaiser’s Surly Pugsley take 98+ BoTM April 2013

John — Thu, 09 May 2013 08:22:15 +0000

The April 2013 98+ Bike of The Month contest was shared between IbocProSX’s Soulcraft 29er & kaiser’s Surly Pugsley.

The full result is as follows
1 = IbocProSX’s Soulcraft 29er
1 = kaiser’s Surly Pugsley
3. theredchili’s Jeff Jones Diamond

The post IbocProSX’s Soulcraft 29er & kaiser’s Surly Pugsley take 98+ BoTM April 2013 appeared first on Retrobike.

Switchback Magazine features retrobike in issue 11

John — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:59:29 +0000

Switchback Magazine have an article on retrobike in their upcoming eleventh issue, check the video preview here. The magazine also features articles on Hope and Orange penned and photographed by our very own Augustus.

The magazine is available from the switchback website, those in the UK can find it at bigger WH Smiths.

Click here to discuss in the forum.

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rumpfy’s Yeti C-26 is BoTM April 2013

John — Wed, 01 May 2013 09:05:11 +0000

The April 2013 Bike of The Month contest was taken by rumpfy’s Yeti C-26 from some very strong competition.

The full result is as follows
1. rumpfy’s Yeti C-26
2. Biglev’s Breezer mk1 replica
3. racer x’s 1996 Dagger FS

Now taking nominations for the May 2013 Kona vs GT vs Specialized Special BoTM here.

Click here for more details and full results

The April 2013 Bike of The Month top three are as follows

1. rumpfy’s Yeti C-26

Click here for rumpfy’s Yeti C-26 build thread.

2. Biglev’s Breezer mk1 replica

Click here for Biglev’s Breezer mk1 replica build thread.

3. racer x’s 1996 Dagger FS

Click here for racer x’s 1996 Dagger FS build thread.

The post rumpfy’s Yeti C-26 is BoTM April 2013 appeared first on Retrobike.

The Most Iconic Retro MTB component of all time?

John — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:22:15 +0000

What is the most iconic retro mountain bike component of all time? We here at retrobike plan to try and find out or at least gain some sort of consensus from the forum. Simply make your nomination on the iconic retro mtb component thread here and see if the retrobike massive agree with your reasoning.

Will it be the XT thumbshifter? Cooks cranks? Grafton cantis? XT v-brake? 200lx plastic coated cranks?

We’ll leave it with you….

The post The Most Iconic Retro MTB component of all time? appeared first on Retrobike.

Retrobike Long Mynd Ride 2013

John — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:51:56 +0000

Sunday 28th April saw the belated kick off of the Retrobike National Event Series 2013 at Shropshire’s Long Mynd.

Twenty four riders turned out on a fine selection of (mostly) retro machinery to tackle the excellent trails of the Long Mynd and equally excellent ale and food at the lunchtime pub stop.

Highlights include

*The cracking Long Mynd trails (naturally)

*The tank (soon to be seen on a street near Coventry)

*The pub stop (did we mention that)

*The descent off the Mynd opposite Minton Batch

To check the full Retrobike Long Mynd Aftermath thread please click here.

Next ride is Aviemore in May, see you there

Retrobike Mountain Bike Ride Long Mynd 2013

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Says The Bike – Retrobike Story of the Season II

John — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:20:15 +0000

LeGrandFromage aka Mark aka many other things story ‘Says The Bike’ took our second Story of the Season contest. He wins a virtual badge which I’m sure is better than any monetary prizes. Read on for his short story about ‘The Bike’, the complete set can be found here.

Tink tink tink tink went the bike.

‘Bike?’ says I

‘Yes?’ says the Bike

‘What tinks?’

‘Dunno’ says the Bike

‘Is it the BB?’

‘No’ says the Bike, ‘guess again’.

‘Not a bloody spoke please!’

‘Guess again’

‘Chainring bolts? I have my tools’ says I.

‘Not even close!’ says the bike as we pedal onwards, the noise now both perplexing and irritating its owner more and more.

‘Oh come on!’ says I as the noise gets louder the angrier I get and the harder I pedal.

The bike giggles, nearly throwing me off in the process.

‘Stop that!’ says I.

‘I cant help it’ laughs the Bike, ‘you’re such a bufoon’

Tink tink tink tink…

Muttering darkening oaths in the equally darkening evening sky I stop to put the lights on. I check the Bike over and carry on pedaling.

Tink tink tink tink…

‘Agggh!’

went the Bike

‘Right! Thats it, either you tell me what gives or I’ll turn you into a fixie and sell you to some spotty student, no more quality oils for you sonny jim!’

‘I am just a bicycle’ said the bike ‘I am not a sentient being, your anthropomorphizing a collection of nuts and bolts, your idle threats cannot harm me’

Totally stumped for a reply I pedal on…

Tink tink tink tink…

The noise, by now, starts to take on a familiar tone. Tink tink tink. It was coinciding with the left pedal stroke, I coast and the noise stops. I pedal and back comes the inevitable. Tink tink tink…

The Bike is quiet – was that a stifled giggle?

Tink tink tink tink TUNK!

Tunk? I look down, the Bike now vibrating with suppressed mirth, almost sending me into the curb in the process.

And I see it… Despite the gathering gloom, there it is in all of its nylon and cotton glory.

A shoelace. A shoelace bouncing off the new bottle cage every left pedal action…

The Bike explodes in paroxysms of laughter, casting its rider into a nearby hedge.

A bloody shoelace

‘Speaking as an engineer’ says the Bike

‘You git!’ Says I brushing bits of Cambridgeshire out of my hair. ‘I’ll have you for that!’

‘No you wont’ Says the bike. ‘Not if you want to get home in one piece’

‘Ah, yes’ I say, extracting myself from the hedge cursing all things two wheeled

‘ok, shall we be off?’

‘Sure, to the Pub then?’ says the bike, looking forward to chatting to some of the other bikes there.

‘Yeah, why not’

So, as rider and bicycle set off once more, we see the fading red dot of the rear lamp as dusk turns to night, the crows roosting in the far trees framed by a now deep late September dusk…

Tink tink tink tink

‘Bastard’ says I

< snigger > says the Bike.

The post Says The Bike – Retrobike Story of the Season II appeared first on Retrobike.

Bike of The Month April 2013 – Get your votes in now

John — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:41:44 +0000

The poll for the April 2013 Bike of The Month contest is now online. Registered users have until the end of April to chose which of the 9 entrants will take the coveted crown of ‘Bike of The Month’. April has proven to be a somewhat intruiging month for BoTM with some big hitting entries helping to keep the field compact, we can only assume many have chosen to keep their powder dry for future contests. The highlights of are biglev’s mk1 Breezer Replica, Tigern’s 1993 Klein Adroit Mardi Gras and rumpfy’s Yeti C-26. Complete list for the April poll is

Biglev’s Breezer mk1 replica 2013 (faux 1976/7)

racer x’s 1996 Dagger FS

Tigern’s 1993 Klein Adroit Mardi Gras

rumpfy’s Yeti C-26

humanois1989′s 1992 Kona Cindercone

Rob Atkin’s 1994 Kona Kilauea

Stumpjumper1990′s 1994 Specialized Stumpjumper M2

Raidan’s 1994 Brodie Sovereign

SYN-CROSSIS’ 1992 Klein Attitude Backfire

Don’t forget to vote!

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