[Tootrikky]

I need to build a bike for around $2500 that can be stored on a bow of a sail boat and last for a couple of years. The person who has requested this stated that his past bikes failed at the rim spoke eyelets first, and wants the wheelset to be particularly resistant to corrosion. Aluminum has apparently pitted up and failed rather fast on his last bikes. He says he has been spending about $800/year on upkeeping and or replacing bikes and would like something that will last. The bike will be used for transportation when he is port. He only requests were for disc brakes.
So far I have came up with:
Ti Mtb Frame
-Disc Tabs a must
-Fender/Rack eyelets preferred not critical
Wheels
-Composite (he prefers this)
---None available that I know that are Disc compatible?
---How good does Carbon Fiber hold up to salt wate spray?
-Traditional.
---Sealed bearing hubs.
---Ti spokes
---Brass nipples (I think brass does good in salt water?)
Drivetrain.
-Sram XO (Carbon and Ti)
-XTR cassette (3 ti rings)
-Wipperman Chain (Stainless Steel)
-Profile Carbon cranks w/ xt BB (yes profile is octalink)
-Nokon Cables
Controls
-Generic Carbon Bars and Seatpost
-Stem-Not sure
Brakes
-Shimano Deore Hydraulic

I need input and help with ideas Asap. Thanks

 

[RhinofromWA]

Can he get a Bike box/Bin that seals and keeps the salty sea air out? Or stow it below? I figure a big sealed container (like a big peice of lugage would be sweet. Then he wouldn't have to worry so much about the corrosion.

Rhino

 

[KFulch]

Originally posted by RhinofromWA
Can he get a Bike box/Bin that seals and keeps the salty sea air out? Or stow it below? I figure a big sealed container (like a big peice of lugage would be sweet. Then he wouldn't have to worry so much about the corrosion.

Rhino

Samething I was thinking. Sounds like more of a storage issue onboard than the bike itself. Even the salty sea air could be kept at bay by storing the bike with a signifigant amout of dessicator (dri-rite, kitty litter etc)

 

[Tenchiro]

I bet some old school Spin wheels would do the trick. Personally I would get some sort of large zip lock back to seal the bike in though.

 

[fonseca]

Grimeca Magnesium wheels are powdercoated and disc ready I believe. Speedgoat used to carry them, not sure if they still do. I don't think Spin ever brought their disc version carbon wheels to market, although I remember seeing a lot of ads for them.

I don't think ti spokes would be necessary, Sapim spokes with their chromate finish should be resistant too, and regular black oxide steel spokes would probably be fine. The problem is the nipples, I don't really know much about the different finishes among manufacturers. I think most brass nipples are just nickel-plated.

I wouldn't use Nokon cables in a salt water environment. They are made of aluminum, and start creaking soon enough as it is. They would probably get corroded where they contact each other along sections that move. Full housing runs would be better, and use a Sram nightcrawler at the front derailleur. Teflon cables and a squirt of silicone lube would be a good idea too.

How about some Boone ti chainrings?

Actually, how about a singlespeed, or an internal rear hub? The nexus hub isn't too expensive and is great for a commuter, as is the Spectro. That would probably cut down on a lot of lubing and maintenance. Use a ti cog and chainring.

Otherwise, I don't think an X.0 would be any more durable than an X.7 or cheaper. They're all composite, the carbon fiber is a faux finish. I think this guy would be better off with running a 5.0 derailleur, and having four spares, for less than the cost of one X.0.

 

[Tootrikky]

Sweet giving me all kinds of ideals. I was definitely off track on a few things.

This guy is adamant about not being able to sotre bike in a case. Seems crazy that he doesn't have room aon a 45 sail boat though.

Grimeca Magnesium wheels are powdercoated and disc ready I believe

Who imports/distributes Grimeca?

I think most brass nipples are just nickel-plated.

True and I think this will be a problem.

The nexus hub isn't too expensive and is great for a commuter, as is the Spectro

Are they disc compatible?

I am going to call this guy tomorrow, to give him some ideals. So far a Ti frame from Tisports (Mongoose, Ibis, etc) for around $800 is the only for somewhat sure thing. I will be amazed if the guy actually follows through(if i come up with a viable bike).It seems sillly storing like that.

 

[fonseca]

What about a folding bike? With smaller wheels? I have seen a few in Interbike photos before that looked pretty nice. One of those could fit in a suitcase, and then he definitely wouldn't have an excuse.

I think Vuelta imports the Grimeca wheels, and there are several models. http://www.vueltausa.com/vuelta2/grimeca/grimeca2.asp

The Grimeca site shows 3 and 6 spoke models: http://www.grimeca.it/eng/ruote/index.htm

I remember seeing some positive reviews of them a few years back. They probably haven't caught on because of the high price.

 

[Tootrikky]

Thanks Fonseca those are what I was looking for.

Yeah I really need to get him thinking about A folding bike.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Ummm...

You're missing the basic issue here.

The reason the old bike began corroding at the eyelets was galvanic corrosion - any place you have two dissimilar metals in contact and some moisture, you have a battery, and that eats metal.

Chromate finish, powder coat, yada ya ain't going to buy you Jack Shvt...

His best bet is probably buying $300- bikes and putting up with the fact that their life will be short.

If you want to start learning find something like Nigel Warren's Metal Corrosion in Boats or, if you are technically inclined, Scully's The Fundamentals of Corrosion.

J

 

[Tootrikky]

Yeah I worked in a Marina when I was a kid, and was trained a little bit about galvanic corrosion in the Navy. The bike won't be immersed in Salt water, just sea spray, therefore I think more resistant materials to corrosion would prolong the life of the bike. I wonder if tacking on some Zincs to the rims (those Grimecas would be easy), and the frame would help? I talked with the customer today and he thought keeping a layer of protection like grease, or oil would be easier on those wheels.

 

[speedbump]

I can't help but think that the disc rotors are going to turn orange with rust in a couple of days as you certainly aren't going to put a protective layer of oil on them!

 

[Tootrikky]

I can't help but think that the disc rotors are going to turn orange with rust in a couple of days as you certainly aren't going to put a protective layer of oil on them!

Yeah it is becoming hard to convince my self that this whole project is worth while. I have been honest with this guy, and it is my job to sell him "his dreams". He wants to spend money no matter how wise it is. Stainless steel rotors should hold up alright? A little surface rust never hurt any one.

 

[Matt D]

It sounds like one of those projects that customers dream up that come back to bit you in the ass, hard.

For instance, we built a custom SS unicycle for a freak because his was "too heavy for traveling." So many problems, so much hassle, so much money. Completely not worth out time and money.

That being said, if you go through with it, tell him up front that there's a good chance some stuff might not work out in the long run and that it's not your responsibility in 5 years to replace his $2500 bike.

 

[Tootrikky]

I Talked to a custom builder up here in Seattle called Davidson and found out they were experienced in building up bikes like this. They use S&S couplers and use a box that is 25x27x10 (may be the box that S&S supplies too), if he can't find room for this on his boat, I'll assume I am dealing with an idiot.
Thanks for all the advice.