I got a parcel today...
- Thread starter Changleen
- Start date
I have started to build it up now, should be sweet. That's a 3 Amigos short frame if you were wondering. 
Albe's has got the goods for the hoods!
Nice score man, you'll have to let us know about that Seawright!
I also notice you're in "welly", I've got a buddy headed there for the next year for grad school in landscape architecture. I may just go there and take up some space on his couch for a bit as winter rolls in up here in the northern hemisphere.
Nice score man, you'll have to let us know about that Seawright!
I also notice you're in "welly", I've got a buddy headed there for the next year for grad school in landscape architecture. I may just go there and take up some space on his couch for a bit as winter rolls in up here in the northern hemisphere.
That's definitely the new plastic one. I can sense it from here.
Nice build and everything -- I'm jealious -- but really, is that your carpet? That's awesome! HI-five!
Nice build and everything -- I'm jealious -- but really, is that your carpet? That's awesome! HI-five!
Yeah, that's the plastic sprocket. I haven't actually finished the build yet, but just handling it and installing it, it seems really strong. It's a type of nylon I think.
That's not my carpet, it's some of that astroturf stuff I picked up to cover the carpet in the room I use as a workshop.
That's not my carpet, it's some of that astroturf stuff I picked up to cover the carpet in the room I use as a workshop.
There is great street here and a few little parks ands stuff. There are a few dirt jump spots coming on now too.
congrats, looks like a hot set up.
Just finished building it up. Had lots of distractions through the day, shopping, lunch, couple of chores, went out for dinner etc.. but it was quite nice actually, I not only got to string out the enjoyment of virgin component build, but I approached each bit fresh.
Mods:
I am happy. Feels sweet on 1st roll around. I like where I put the bars which is pretty much a first for me, I normally tweak them like 5 times before I'm satisfied. Haven't weighed it yet, but I'm guessing 24lbs~ish. I can lift it with a straight arm in my left hand and hold it out without too much effort, I think that's good enough.
Mods:
- Forks are Oddysey Race Classic 07 - 3/8" drop out slot enlarged to 14mm on the bottom side.
- 25 / 11 ratio makes for an awkward chain length without a Shadow halflink. Too long or too short. Extended rear dropout slot by 3mm both sides.
- In total of about an inch of 14mm axle removed. Those hubs have LONG axles.
- Bars (Shadow 11Bs) 10mm off each side.
- All stickers off.
I am happy. Feels sweet on 1st roll around. I like where I put the bars which is pretty much a first for me, I normally tweak them like 5 times before I'm satisfied. Haven't weighed it yet, but I'm guessing 24lbs~ish. I can lift it with a straight arm in my left hand and hold it out without too much effort, I think that's good enough.
Oh here is a close up of the chainring for those who are interested.
It really does feel very strong. You can't flex it any noticeable amount in your hands, and a tiny slither I sliced off and burnt suggests it is some sort of engineering grade nylon. There are a few of these in common use now so no great surprise there. The quality of engineering is quite high, it has a great finish, although that isn't too hard to get with engineering polymers really. I think it is certainly stronger than some of the thinner Aluminium ones. It's quite thick. I'm running that fat KMC chain as you see, and it is almost exactly the same thickness. Seems smooth too from first impressions.
Oh and when you open the packet, there is a quote inside from TS Elliot that says:
"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
I thought that was a nice touch. Now when it breaks I won't feel bad, but like I'm part of some experiment.
It really does feel very strong. You can't flex it any noticeable amount in your hands, and a tiny slither I sliced off and burnt suggests it is some sort of engineering grade nylon. There are a few of these in common use now so no great surprise there. The quality of engineering is quite high, it has a great finish, although that isn't too hard to get with engineering polymers really. I think it is certainly stronger than some of the thinner Aluminium ones. It's quite thick. I'm running that fat KMC chain as you see, and it is almost exactly the same thickness. Seems smooth too from first impressions.
Oh and when you open the packet, there is a quote inside from TS Elliot that says:
"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
I thought that was a nice touch. Now when it breaks I won't feel bad, but like I'm part of some experiment.
That looks straight gangsta.
Dammit!wow. great build man, parts are sick. i still see some stickers on the fork
I somehow did not register those. I must be going mental. I can't believe it. They're coming off tomorrow.
cleaning looking ride. I got the same bars. You'll like them a lot.
Had my first actual park session on it today, plastic ring is really no different in any noticeable way. Actually it is slightly quieter I think but I may just be imagining it. That's it. I forgot all about it after about 10 seconds.
Loved the bike, my old BMX was more DJ geo oriented so this is a bit of a change, but the biggest difference is the rotational weight, my old wheels weren't heavy, but wow!
These are Fit Series 2 wheels (5lb 8oz actual including nuts etc but before I cut like an inch of axle off) with the KHE kevlar park tyres (11oz claimed, 13oz actual).
First few times I was in the air it felt so skittish and uncontrolled. Took me a while to get used to it, actually I don't think I am yet. Spins easy though... Lovely on the mini ramp too, I can just throw the thing about so easy. The hardest thing was controlling my speed.
Still haven't weighed it as a complete.
Loved the bike, my old BMX was more DJ geo oriented so this is a bit of a change, but the biggest difference is the rotational weight, my old wheels weren't heavy, but wow!
These are Fit Series 2 wheels (5lb 8oz actual including nuts etc but before I cut like an inch of axle off) with the KHE kevlar park tyres (11oz claimed, 13oz actual).
First few times I was in the air it felt so skittish and uncontrolled. Took me a while to get used to it, actually I don't think I am yet. Spins easy though... Lovely on the mini ramp too, I can just throw the thing about so easy. The hardest thing was controlling my speed.
Still haven't weighed it as a complete.
So - I finally killed the plastic ring. Turns out that after a while it kinda does get bendier. When I cranked on it hard it started dropping the chain, which is obviously the perfect time to drop a chain from the point of view of the rider. I got some pretty good bruises on my knees from that...
When I took it off I noticed I can now bend it slightly in my hand, which I certainly couldn't when it was new.
So, it lasted a good while, although way less time than a good metal one.
In its (possible) defence the bike is stored where it is exposed to strong direct sunlight (through glass) everyday, which most bikes are not. Although glass cuts UV it does not stop it totally and this probably affected the strength of the polymer. Also we have no ozone layer here thanks to the engineers of the 70s which means a LOT more UV than Northern Hemisphere peeps.
Has now been replaced with a black Fit one, which looks cool. I have to say that I realised the plastic ring does make pedalling 'smoother' and quieter by quite a bit once I changed back to metal. If you're all about the stealth and ultra low weight (and maybe keep your bike out of direct sunlight,) maybe try it out. It was cool while it lasted.
I got some pretty good bruises on my knees from that...When I took it off I noticed I can now bend it slightly in my hand, which I certainly couldn't when it was new.
So, it lasted a good while, although way less time than a good metal one.
In its (possible) defence the bike is stored where it is exposed to strong direct sunlight (through glass) everyday, which most bikes are not. Although glass cuts UV it does not stop it totally and this probably affected the strength of the polymer. Also we have no ozone layer here thanks to the engineers of the 70s which means a LOT more UV than Northern Hemisphere peeps.
Has now been replaced with a black Fit one, which looks cool. I have to say that I realised the plastic ring does make pedalling 'smoother' and quieter by quite a bit once I changed back to metal. If you're all about the stealth and ultra low weight (and maybe keep your bike out of direct sunlight,) maybe try it out. It was cool while it lasted.
wow, awesome build congrats on the new setup
thanks for the update on that. I remember about the time you did the original post, those sprockets were in vogue. Now I never really hear anything about them. of course, now there's plastic peds and pegs...
yeah, nice update info there. I like the unbiased type feedback, instead of just straight ripping and bashing a product that met the end of it's life on you.
post up some more pics of your rig if you get a chance.
post up some more pics of your rig if you get a chance.
nice dude! you may want a harder ratio cos 25:11 seems really easy. but to each his own
I mostly ride mini and park and I am lazy, so it's fine.
the chainring looks gangsta.