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Frank the Welder Custom Road Frame

gemini2k

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
I cracked my last road frame, so I wanted something that A. Actually fit my 6'7", leggy frame, and B. Didn't crack like my last one. There was only one man who could make such a bike, Frank Wadelton. Enjoy this bike porn of my new frame getting made. His welding is a work of art...and science.

The tubing is basically steel MTB tubing. I want this built purely for withstand me grinding up steep 3k vert climbs, and mobbing back down with no concern for the bike.

Wait until you guys see the color!

All pics here





 
blindboxx2334

blindboxx2334

Turbo Monkey
Mar 19, 2013
1,340
101
Wets Coast
i was gonna be like 'what DH section?'

until i seent those BEAUTIFUL welds...

please post more pix, im 'lame' and dont do social media.
 
jonKranked

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,883
24,466
media blackout
saw those on frank's FB feed yesterday and thought "damn that's a big frame"

makes sense who its for now.

what's the deal with the special grade steel you/he were using?
 
gemini2k

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
Going with an ENVE fork probably.

I'm not sure the steel is a special alloy or anything. I mean, it might be some fancy steel, but still off the shelf at the end of the day. What's special is the fact that the tubing is so f-ing burly. Super large diameter tubing.
 
jonKranked

jonKranked

Detective Dookie
Nov 10, 2005
85,883
24,466
media blackout
gemini2k said:
Going with an ENVE fork probably.

I'm not sure the steel is a special alloy or anything. I mean, it might be some fancy steel, but still off the shelf at the end of the day. What's special is the fact that the tubing is so f-ing burly. Super large diameter tubing.
Click to expand...
in the FB post it was mentioned that it was some sort of niobium blend.

and yes, i noticed how stout the tubeset was. can't wait to see it painted and built!
 
dump

dump

Turbo Monkey
Oct 12, 2001
8,213
4,463
gemini2k said:
Going with an ENVE fork probably.
Click to expand...
That seems a bit counter to the set and forget build of the frame. Have you considered a ftw steel fork? Old-style steel forks feel better to me than the carbon road forks I've ridden.
 
gemini2k

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
dump said:
That seems a bit counter to the set and forget build of the frame. Have you considered a ftw steel fork? Old-style steel forks feel better to me than the carbon road forks I've ridden.
Click to expand...
Are ENVE forks not reliable? Last time I checked well done carbon should last damn near forever. FTW was the one who is hyping me on ENVE forks.
 
CBJ

CBJ

year old fart
Mar 19, 2002
12,874
4,214
Copenhagen, Denmark
Super cool. I never understand when I see big guys going all weightweenie much rather have a bike like you are building that you can muscle around. Looking forward to the final build!
 
blindboxx2334

blindboxx2334

Turbo Monkey
Mar 19, 2013
1,340
101
Wets Coast
gah this dude is dope. dont have FB, but it let me view the pix. i am going to whore them out here cause, like i said, theyre awesome.

i am a complete sucker for fab sh!t, as racing (sprint cars) has been in my fam for quite some time now.



 
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dump

dump

Turbo Monkey
Oct 12, 2001
8,213
4,463
gemini2k said:
Are ENVE forks not reliable? Last time I checked well done carbon should last damn near forever. FTW was the one who is hyping me on ENVE forks.
Click to expand...
They're probably very strong in the ideal conditions, but they're certainly built with an emphasis on light. I'm not sure how burly they are when it comes to abrasions... certainly not like a steel tubing is.

All I'm saying is that you're "mobbing down with no concern for the bike," a steel fork might be a better match.
 
gemini2k

gemini2k

Turbo Monkey
Jul 31, 2005
3,526
117
San Francisco
dump said:
All I'm saying is that you're "mobbing down with no concern for the bike," a steel fork might be a better match.
Click to expand...

Well fortunately i'm blessed with an UNGODLY amount of bike handling skillzzzzz. So I don't have to be worrying about low siding my road bike. Been lucky so far!! WP
 
Kanye West

Kanye West

220# bag of hacktastic
Aug 31, 2006
3,741
473
gemini2k said:
Well fortunately i'm blessed with an UNGODLY amount of bike handling skillzzzzz. So I don't have to be worrying about low siding my road bike. Been lucky so far!! WP
Click to expand...
Says the idiot who tore his sack riding DH.
 
Freeridin'

Freeridin'

Monkey
Oct 23, 2006
316
2
Colorado
Never has a road bike gotten so much attention in the DH forum. Take your lycra tights else where.

But, I like it. I recently built up a steel Soma frame and am now contemplating building a lugged frame in the garage. Let me know if you decide to stick with an ENVE fork, I have a couple I'm trying to unload (new).
 
Jim Mac

Jim Mac

MAKE ENDURO GREAT AGAIN
May 21, 2004
6,352
282
the middle east of NY
Freeridin' said:
Never has a road bike gotten so much attention in the DH forum. Take your lycra tights else where.

But, I like it. I recently built up a steel Soma frame and am now contemplating building a lugged frame in the garage. Let me know if you decide to stick with an ENVE fork, I have a couple I'm trying to unload (new).
Click to expand...

Hey man, it's Frank! Frankie say relax! :D

 
SuspectDevice

SuspectDevice

Turbo Monkey
Aug 23, 2002
4,161
368
Roanoke, VA
The frame was designed around an Enve fork- a steel fork with a steer tube that long would weigh SO MUCH and FLEX. The Enve units are stronger than any steel fork.

FTW has been turning out a lot of wicked cool road bikes for my customers lately- my recent favorite is this aero beastie:
 
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HardtailHack

HardtailHack

used an iron once
Jan 20, 2009
6,730
5,612
Wow if I knew he did steel frames I would have shot the man an email ages ago, why wouldn't he make the Ridge frame from steel?

Anyways, this is cool for a road bike I guess.
 
atrokz

atrokz

Turbo Monkey
Mar 14, 2002
1,552
77
teedotohdot
SuspectDevice said:
The frame was designed around an Enve fork- a steel fork with a steer tube that long would weigh SO MUCH and FLEX. The Enve units are stronger than any steel fork.

FTW has been turning out a lot of wicked cool road bikes for my customers lately- my recent favorite is this aero beastie:
Click to expand...
Would he have welded my Supertouch? Circa 2010 I think.
 
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