Thursday, February 12, 2009

Custom Bike Profile: Titanium 29er


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Titanium 29er Custom Built Profile

This lightweight, made to measure 29er I designed for a Canadian customer is used for 24 hour racing and epic riding in the mountains of Alberta. I needed to get as much standover clearance as possible for his relatively short inseam. This is where 29ers meet their design limits due to their tall crown height requirements. I stretched the limits by radically sloping the top tube and then bracing the seat tube with a 1" tube. The head/tube was designed short to provide every bit of stand over possible . The t/t is mitre'd into the d/t to squeeze it all in there. The seat tube is left about 19" long so that the seat post doesn't stick out a mile and the seat stays intersect nicely with the s/t brace. The owner named it "Airtight alibi" - his frame turned out light, laterally rigid and aesthetically unique.

Jason at El Camino fab flawlessly executed the CAD design by providing the miter operations and tig welding on the frame. He also added some custom bends turning non descript 7/8" 3/2.5 ti tubing into beautiful s - bend stays. This frame received all the good stuff. U.S. Made 3/2.5 ti tubeset. 6/4 ti Paragon "Wright Bros" hooded dropouts and Paragon cable stops, etc.



After getting the frame back from El Camino I did the satin polish with scotch brite pads, laid down some custom cut decals and then applied a final sealant/polish.





All of the frames ti surfaces were prepped with anti-seize and then I built it into a complete. The list of parts on this 2-9 x-c flyer would please any rider.
















Component Specifications:

FORK rock shox reba 29r 80mm
WHEELSET Handbuilt - Ti Dye spokes, Alloy nipples, Dt Swiss hubs, Mavic disc rims
BRAKES Magura Marta Hydraulic

DRIVETRAIN
Shift levers xt 3x9
Front Derailleur xt
Rear Derailleur xt
Crank Set xt 170mm
Chain Sram PC971
Cassette xt 11-34t
Bottom Bracket Race Face x-type
Headset Chris King NoThreadset

TOP KIT
Handlebar Race Face next carbon flat
Stem Race Face deus
Grips Race Face good evil
Tubes Ritchey
Tires WTB exiwolf 29x2.3
Rim Strips Ritchey Snap On
Seatpost Race Face next carbon
Saddle WTB stealth ti
Seat Clamp UNO Al black
Pedals Time atac carbon
Ferrules Wheels Mfg machined brass




Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Epic Ride: Strong Creek - Trail 120 near Hope, Idaho






After a 3,000'+ climb from lake side that leaves many mountainbikers trying to find a lower gear the Strong Creek trail turns up yet again in a series of sweet switchbacks that put you deeper into the Cabinet mountain range, the base of the Canadian Rockies. Many travelers who I have sent out on this trail over the years come back with glowing reviews and comparisons to gnarly pass rides in Colorado and such. Well, pinch yourself because it is Idaho and if you can pedal hard enough you will top out on the Strong Creek trail just in time to camp out with a good friend, his dog and a cold beverage on a full moon August night. A light meal and some sleep then its time to repeat the cycle. Coffee, Ride, Beer.




The best light is found at dawn so when you are riding with a friend who happens to be a professional photographer and singletrack fiend the 120 trail to Clark Fork is under tire just as the sun crests the ridgeline. I've got to say that after years of riding this trail at everytime of day possible and weather condition imagineable it is hard to beat a daybreak departure from the 120 junction. The singletrack crosses peak after peak while across the valley Scotchmans Peak looms large in the distance at nearly every turn. There are fields of granite scree to negotiate, technical rock gardens to bob through, boulder-strewn climbs to ascend.


Plan on spending 6-7 hours in the saddle if you are fast and doing the whole thing in a day. People have been know to spend 10 - 12 hours completing this whole loop. It all depends on how much time you want to spend enjoying the views. When the ridgeline singletrack lets up it is time to fly down the 50 + singletrack switchbacks to Viggo's house. Enjoy a nice flat, leisurely pedal back to the small town of Clark Fork. CF has great places to park a shuttle rig There are bars, diners, book stores and even Jim's Sweet Bike Shop. If you are just getting warmed up at this point ride Hwy 200 back to Hope. Take a detour along the old highway and flow right into Beyond Hope for a refreshment and maybe some pizza. Whether you want to make this ride 20 miles or 70 watch out for bears and make sure your bike and gear are working well before heading out to tackle this one! Stop by the Alpine Designs Bike Shop for suggestions, a map or call for current trail conditions.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Welcome to AD BIKES Design / Build / Ride Blog




Hi my name is Toby. I am the owner and designer at Alpine Designs Bikes. This blog is designed to feature images and describe steps throughout the frame design and building process. I will also post stories and pictures about re-conditioned, repaired and modified bikes that myself or my crew have done. There has to be some epic ride reports thrown in too.

Both consumers wishing to see some detailed work and DIY bike builders will most likely get a kick out of the content to be listed at this site. I have been a bike shop owner, mechanic, designer and builder since 1992/93. For many years I slept on the floor of my shop and literally lived, eat and breathed bike riding, racing and building. My company, Alpine Designs, has built over 3,000 bikes and we have sold many other brands and still currently sell the KONA brand. I hope that viewers and followers of this blog enjoy the work projects showcased here.

A few samples of stories to come...

DESIGNING, BUILDING AND BRAZING A WISHBONE AND A FORK


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DESIGNING, BUILDING AND PAINTING FILLET BRAZED FRAMES

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DESIGNING, BUILDING AND PAINTING TIG WELDED FRAMES

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A TOUR OF THE FRAME SHOP AND BUILDER PROFILES


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CUSTOM BIKE PROFILES

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EPIC RIDE REPORTS