[vitox]

ive been seeing more and more of this concept, cheap, durable, steel dh frames, and im really stoked for my friend who is IMO making the one thats the nicest one of all ive seen both on the net and in other countries ive been to

here is the latest version

 

[stgil888]

Looks good! I've always contemplated it, but I don't think it's ever more cost-efficient to build your own frame. Would be fun, but the amount of time necessary to do it right would be outrageous. The one you posted looks sweet, I would never have guessed it was a garage-built bike.

 

[Tame Ape]

looks pro!

Wish there was a better shot of the swingarm though.

 

[vitox]

looks pro!

Wish there was a better shot of the swingarm though.

these are made in a garage and sell for around 300usd here, this version is a proto but i dont think the cost will be too different.

swingarm pic ....
like this you mean?

 

[FCLinder]

Looks very nicely done. Do you have any idea of the weight of the frame and the grade of steel he used?

 

[jonKranked]

also, geometry? travel? wheel path? leverage ratios? I like the looks of the rear dropouts a lot. EXTREMELY nice looking frame. Your buddy has some skillz.

 

[vitox]

i dont know what steel he is using lately but the weight is probably around 11,5 to 12lbs for that one, its a proto though so he wants it to fail, might end up being heavier for production.
bottom line is that the bike will be only marginally heavier than a full on dh top dollar frame, actually lighter than a 303 for instance.

 

[mandown]

love the rear brake mount. like some trials frames i've seen.

 

[DHDror]

Oh yeah , very good looking.
I like the rear caliper position and the high suspension pivot.
I'm guessing the 300usd are for a frame W/O shock ?!

 

[go-ride.com]

Nice looking work. When you consider that many of the Karpiels were pretty much made in a garage, there's no reason you can't make a nice bike if you have the skills.

 

[sikocycles]

I will take one for $300

 

[no skid marks]

Here's a very nice Aussie one.
http://forums.farkin.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=57312

 

[TankerX]

I will take one for $300

2nd that!!!

 

[jonKranked]

oh snap! i didn't even pick up on the rear brake mount. very trials like. i love it. also, whats the stroke and i2i on the shock? and for 300 USD you could sell a LOT of those.

 

[bullcrew]

SLick looking, love the gussets and brake mount.
You buddy has skills.

 

[MinorThreat]

Gary Selner of Spokane has been custom-making the Hairy Gary steel Howitzer for a few years now:

They are not cheap, though

 

[allsk8sno]

i've never understood why he charges so much...if he lowered it down some he would actually sell more, i have only seen a few of those ever all the times i have ridden in spokane...

 

[bballe336]

Gary Selner of Spokane has been custom-making the Hairy Gary steel Howitzer for a few years now:

They are not cheap, though

Those frames are also brazed together, not welded. I'd rather have a nicer looking, welded, $300 frame.

 

[ZHendo]

i want one. best looking garage frame i've seen, super clean looks.

 

[pinkshirtphotos]

sweet. i cant really see the brakes. is it put in like the old giant dhs. They had hopes in the middle of the swingarm.

 

[SteezyWeezy]

yea, easily the nicest garage fully ive ever seen, $300 bucks would be well spent

 

[Lollapalooza]

I'd shell out 300 dollars for one of those any day. Steel dh bikes are super light and so smoooth feeling. But please, we're begging for geometry.

 

[vitox]

I'd shell out 300 dollars for one of those any day. Steel dh bikes are super light and so smoooth feeling. But please, we're begging for geometry.

sorry guys for keeping you waiting for the geo, i dont have any idea about the geometry on it but you can pretty much consider it custom geometry within some limits.
this one on the picture looks a bit tall in the bb but ive seen others id consider pretty much spot on for racing.

travel is around 8,5 with a 2,75 shock iirc

i was really thinking hard about if you could do better for 1000usd but i dont think so.

 

[frznnomad]

i mean i guess you could do better for the cost of full blown factory dh frame. although that is only due to the fact that you will get a frame that has been researched for a few years, and a you get a researched suspension design such as the rail, or the dw link system. although if i was to go with a single piviot i think i would rather pay 300$ for a steel single piviot frame than shell out almost 2grand for a moorewood or an orange. i mean honestly slap a double barrel on that thing and it will performe just as well IMO.

 

[dexter]

damn id take one for 300

 

[nmn25]

Do you know if he will start producing these? you could be his manager/sales rep. Hell, there are already about 10 people who just lined up asking for one.

Oh and by the way, tell him nice bike.

 

[Sir_Crackien]

just remember that 300 would probibly mean not painted. but that is not a big deal seeing how good a rattle can paint job can look

 

[Bicyclist]

Whoa. Sick deal. Is he gonna sell them?

 

[.Pit Steelers.]

Very nice, i whould take one fo sho

 

[MinorThreat]

i've never understood why he charges so much...if he lowered it down some he would actually sell more, i have only seen a few of those ever all the times i have ridden in spokane...

Yeah, I never quite got it either. Guess that's one reason I don't own one. I think he's used to custom builds for tri fanatics that will spend the green.

 

[SteezyWeezy]

sorry guys for keeping you waiting for the geo, i dont have any idea about the geometry on it but you can pretty much consider it custom geometry within some limits.
this one on the picture looks a bit tall in the bb but ive seen others id consider pretty much spot on for racing.

travel is around 8,5 with a 2,75 shock iirc

i was really thinking hard about if you could do better for 1000usd but i dont think so.

you gotta get you're buddy on here to answer some questions, because the frame has raised a lot of interest. questions like, does it include shock for 300? paint? what the geo like? bb size? i know you didnt make the frame, and dont know the answers, but you should ask your friend soon

 

[vitox]

you gotta get you're buddy on here to answer some questions, because the frame has raised a lot of interest. questions like, does it include shock for 300? paint? what the geo like? bb size? i know you didnt make the frame, and dont know the answers, but you should ask your friend soon

nono, i do know the answers, its got no shock (rocos can be arranged though), they ARE painted (powdercoat but limited basic colors) bb size is standard.
as for geo, they are pretty short CS normally, wheelbase is around 115 depending on fork of course. kinda hard throwing out more numbers but i would say since its semi custom (front end can be custom, rear ends he normally does one version of only) you can get it to be whatever you want.
ill show him this (his english knowledge is pretty basic hehe) and see if he could make a small run and set it apart for export.

 

[Ekistoflarex]

hi
the prototipe is in sale, but for 420us aprox but is in testing, without shock and with, paint, decals, crome details (i dont know how to say because i dont speak english a lot, but the "logos" made in metal), etc
the production model is this an this is what cost 300us (this is my bike, is very very very similar than that prototipe but is 2007 model, not 2008 prototipe)

the prototipe have the floating disc (not mounted in vitox pictures) and the 12mm axle

this frames have almost 6 years under evolution and testing, and we can say they are very STRONG, short wheelbase and a lot of travel

Pin

 

[altix]

ya i like that rear brake mount, super stiff

 

[Bati]

sorry guys for keeping you waiting for the geo, i dont have any idea about the geometry on it but you can pretty much consider it custom geometry within some limits.
this one on the picture looks a bit tall in the bb but ive seen others id consider pretty much spot on for racing.

travel is around 8,5 with a 2,75 shock iirc

i was really thinking hard about if you could do better for 1000usd but i dont think so.

I asked to Majin (the designer & welder) in Valparaiso about geometry and told me it's 66.5º in front and 14.5" BB. A little weird... too steep angle for an almost low/racing BB.

I recommended him to keep that height and go for 64.5º in front, to get fast-but-not-pure racing frame, according to the market the frame is oriented (beginner racer) and our not open wide tracks.

Of course, all their frames can take de geometry that the client wants.

 

[Arena_Swe]

I really like the look of it! thin steel pipes! There was a manufacturer in Sweden that did really kool steel rides, Lassbo Bumblebee

 

[Total Heckler]

There is always SWD. Built in Modesto CA. Great frames, super cool designer, podium proven.

www.swdracing.com

 

[MinorThreat]

There is always SWD. Built in Modesto CA. Great frames, super cool designer, podium proven.
www.swdracing.com

Steve is the neatest guy. Met him and his wife at the Schweitzer Nats. Both great people.

 

[bent^biker]

word. swd ftw, can't believe i thought about selling mine.

 

[Bati]

A new welder is needed for exporting production. Send your resume to:

gustavohcc@hotmail.com
majincycles@hotmail.com
or call gustavo 56-9-82299471 (not sure about english spoken)

This frame will be at podium on next Panamerican Championchips in Bariloche, Argentina.