Latest happenings at English Cycles.....

3 July 2010 Lyra came to collect her new bike today - finally she has a mountain bike that fits! 3 June 2010 A few pictures from the shop, where there are various projects ongoing. First we have a custom butted seattube on the lathe - I start with straight gauge cromoly tubing, then machine material away from the outside to create a custom externally butted tube (thicker walls at the BB and toptube/seatstay junctions). In this case the tube will then be ovalised for the seattube of an integrated seatmast road frame (Bret this one is for your frame). Shown in the bucket is the material removed from that one tube! Then we have a cleaned-up-and-ready-for-paint mountain bike fork - this matches up with a tiny frame for a diminutive rider who has previously never had enough stand-over clearance on a mountain bike, I should get the parts in for that build next week and have it finished soon. And finally for now, here is a freshly machined split dropout, which means another belt drive bike is in the works.... 24 May 2010 Kuan, your bike is done! All ready to be packed up for shipping. One very light, very stealthy frame. Yesterday I was part of the winning team at the Oregon team time trial championship for the second year, riding my custom TT bike, now in it's third season of competition. Very strong, switching winds and rain made it a tough race, with our time two minutes slower than last year, but we were still able to win by over a minute. Onto the individual champs in three weeks..... 13 May 2010 A little bit of press - May's edition of OUTSIDE magazine features an article on Portland and the bike scene there that included a visit to the Oregon Handbuilt bike show last year. Only three builders are mentioned by name, one of which is me! It is a very brief mention (of my belt driven winter bike - which incidentally has now completed over 2000 miles without complaint), but nice to see nevertheless. I've been sick this week, which has slowed me down a little - after 3rd in the local 'Eugene-Roubaix' road race and 9th in the Cherry Blossom stage race my good season has continued, hopefully will bounce back from this soon. In the workshop currently is a road frame being built to go all the way to Malaysia, so the most far-flung English yet! Hopefully will be done and ready for pictures in the next couple of weeks. 17 April 2010 Mitzi collected her bicycle today - final weight came in just under 16lbs. Just in time for spring riding in the sunshine! 11 April 2010 Latest frame just finished with brazing and ready for final clean up and paint - we'll have you riding pretty soon here Mitzi! Nice thread on the Slowtwitch forum last week - thanks for the kind words Duncan! I've added some complete bike pictures to Joe's folding 29er page; and yes it did all fit in the case, once I'd figured out the puzzle! I've suggested he takes some photos as he unpacks to make it easier next time. Still only took me about 30 minutes though, spent most of that working out where the fork would fit.... Fourth in the King's Valley road race here in Oregon yesterday; the form seems to be coming together nicely for the Cherry Blossom stage race in two weeks..... 29 March 2010 Here is a little sneak peak at the second 'Chocolate' folding 29er. After thorough testing of the prototype, including a trip to Moab, this version is heading out to save Joe spending any more on airline fees! Initial photos and details here, more pictures of the complete build and how it packs coming soon. I have also just completed what could be the current ultimate road racing wheelset - 45mm deep rims from Edge, Extralite hubs and Pillar titanium spokes for an all up weight of just 924g! Initial testing of the English Aero hub has been very successful - I used it for a time trial as my first race of the year (2nd, after missing a turn due to an absent flagger...), then the next day paired it with a 1.68 rear wheel for a 66 mile road race near Portland. At halfway I initiated the winning break of five, and no doubt my super-aero front wheel helped us stay away. On the last lap I was unable to shake two of my companions and was outsprinted at the end, taking third, but very happy with that, and the hub/wheel did great in an arena it wasn't really designed for. No brake rub or noticeable flex; so far so good. After this current last run of kickbike, lowracer and mountain bike, it is back to the road next for a complete custom road bike heading to Portland; I will be starting that this week and getting some new paint samples to try and work out what color it will be.... 25 February 2010 What is it!? Details here. 14 February 2010 I have been using the belt driven winter bike for a while now, and having just clocked it's first 1000 miles I thought it was time for a report. Maintenance performed = nothing (okay, I may have pumped the tires up a couple of times). As you can see it is a bit grubby, but wet ride after wet ride I just hang it back in the garage and don't have to think about it at all. The Versa shifter and Alfine hub is superb - now that I am getting into slightly more intense training the jumps in the gear ratios are a bit much, but for general winter training and commuting it is awesome. And with Shimano bringing out an 11spd version of the hub (lighter, smoother, wider range with closer steps), things can only get better! (just have to wait for a road shifter for the 11spd though - are you listening Versa?!) I have added some more details on the Chris King and Alchemy hubs, and there are also pictures of the 45 clincher wheels they have been built into on the wheels page. I really do need to get a new camera - this one just hasn't been the same since it got dropped on vacation.... Oh, and shortly to be added to the used/sale page will be a great deal on 7900 Dura-ace chainrings, let me know if you are interested - I have just three sets. 11 February 2010 New arrivals! Apologies for the poor quality pictures, I will get some better ones up shortly, but just in are new hubs from Alchemy and Chris King. Alchemy's ELF (extra light front) hub was released last year, with the emphasis on stiffness and durability rather than absolute lightweight (although it isn't exactly heavy!). And it is now joined by the much anticipated ORC rear hub. This features an oversize axle and FIVE bearings (the extra fifth one gives a direct connection between the freehub body and the hub shell). Weights on my scales are 66g for the ELF and 216g for the ORC, with prices of $180 and $420 respectively (or ask me for a quote built into rims of your choice). Black, silver or red and various drillings. The other much anticipated release is the availability of the new Chris King road hubset. With the usual King quality and durability, these are also reasonably light: 104g for the front and 222g for the rear. Prices are $149 and $349, drillings and color to choice. I will have examples of wheel builds with these hubs up in a few days. Speaking of hubs, I am also working on a custom front hub of my own design, exclusively for time trials. I hope to have the prototype done in a few weeks - it will be built onto an Edge 1.65 tubular (the 65 is the rebranding of the 68 of last year - same rim, just new name and new graphics). Back to the lathe then.... 26 January 2010 Well, back from vacation (I REALLY like New Zealand!), and back to it - I wasn't quite able to finish this one before I left due to waiting for parts, but all done now, a variation on the lowracer recumbent theme, English style.... Have lots of fun with it Ross, you'll need to start getting that first 1000km to break the Rohloff in! Next up is a folding 29er with an Alfine 8spd hub, plus various wheels to build. And of course training for the new season :-) I also have ideas for a folding road bike and a superlight, belt drive single speed 29er race bike..... So many ideas, so little time.... 12 December 2009 Can you tell what it is yet? Rather a departure from the usual machines with pedals, this is a custom kickbike - but in the English Cycles mold it is a light one, at under 9lbs complete. Have fun with it John! 02 December 2009 Racks too! Custom racks start at $350 - this one is for lightweight touring with a 20" wheeled Bike Friday, it takes a small pair of panniers and sits low and tight to the rear wheel. Tubular cromoly and powder coated to choice. I just built my first pair of wheels with Pillar Ti spokes - a Edge 1.25/Extralite/M5 combo, the pair of wheels weighs 746g! Next up will be a pair of 1.45s with Pillar spokes on Extralite hubs - should yield an aero set of wheels nicely under 1kg. Working on getting two more bike projects completed before the holidays, pictures up here when they are done.... 21 November 2009 The end of the year is looming, which means it is time to sell off the show wheels from this year - I have a pair of Edge 1.25s and a pair of 1.68s - see the used/sale page for details. Just these two pairs at $600 off; get set up for next season early! In other wheel news, I can now offer Pillar titanium spokes. These bladed spokes are 34% lighter than DT aerolites or Sapim CX-rays, knocking up to 70g from the wheelset weight. Please ask for a quote if you'd like wheels built this way. 15 November 2009 I have been buiding using the Italian Extralite hubs for a while, and have now added a page for them. I can also supply the full range of Extralite components - for details take a look at their website - www.extralite.com. Current English Cycles projects are a lowracer recumbent and a high-end kickbike, both are progressing nicely. If anyone is considering a race bike for next season then now is the time to give me a shout as my waiting list is out to March at this point. 06 November 2009 Fame! Glory! Or at least a bit of coverage on Road Bike Action's website: http://www.roadbikeaction.com/fly.aspx?layout=content&taxid=67&cid=2455 02 November 2009 Just back from the Oregon Handbuilt Bike Show in Portland - pictures up here, it was a good weekend, thanks to everyone who came by to say hi! 26 October 2009 The folding 29er - now with the model name 'Chocolate' (firstly for the colour, but also because it breaks into pieces), or nickname 'JF' (picked up in Moab, that's one to ask me about....), passed it's debut trip with flying colours. It not only was easy to pack (about 15 minutes to pack and unpack; should get quicker with practice) and didn't get damaged in the case, but rode superbly. The more I ride 29" wheels the more I like them, and with the 2.4" tires it seemed to be able to ride over almost anything! The 32x19 gear was about perfect for a week of Utah trail riding, and it was very satisfying to be riding these epic, famous trails on a bike that I designed and built. Additional bonus was it only costing me $20 each way compared to the $150 that my riding partner was charged (Joe has now placed an order for a JF of his own). There are a few inevitable scratches from a week in the rocks, but otherwise it is all ready to be shown off at the Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show next weekend in Portland - everything is almost ready, getting excited for it now! 08 October 2009 New graphics! John encouraged me to try a different style for his bike, so hopefully he is pleased with the result. A VERY light road frame with integrated seatmast (just have to finish machining the pieces for the cap to take the Kent Eriksen hardware). Off to Moab tomorrow - full ride report on the folding 29er after that! 05 October 2009 All packed up - yes this would be easier with a 26" bike, but I do like the ride of a 29er! For ease of packing I had to remove the front tire, but otherwise pretty straightforward packing. With everything shown the packed case weighs 41lbs, so room for shoes and some riding gear whilst keeping under the weight limit. In other news, latest road frame is finished - just waiting for some new style decals to arrive before I take photographs. And that is the last one I was wanting to get done for the Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show in Portland in a few weeks (31 Oct/1 Nov). Now I can enjoy my vacation; off to Moab on Friday! 22 September 2009 Another one rolls out the shop! Something a little different - this is a folding 29er singlespeed. I am off to Moab (having been reading about the riding there since I was a kid) in a few weeks, so needed a bike to fly with that would avoid expensive airline baggage fees. This puppy fits into an airline checkable case with a little disassembly. 13 September 2009 These are the lightest clinchers I have built so far, just sneaking under 1200g/pair. Edge 45 clincher rims laced to Extralite SX hubs with Sapim CX-ray spokes. Carbon performance with clincher convenience, now the carbon clincher wheel makes sense! 5 September 2009 'Tis done! The belt drive is super smooth and quiet and the Versa shifter/Alfine hub combination shifts fast and clean, although the lever throw is a little long and the shift direction is the reverse of normal, but easy enough to get used to. Should be zero maintenance, I'll find out over the winter! 1 September 2009 Just boxed up and off to California is this custom compact frame for another tall rider. With the Edge wheels as shown it snuck under 14lb, which should keep Jeff climbing with his carbon-framed friends! In racing news I piloted three English bikes to overall success in the Eugene Celebration stage race this past weekend, winning the prologue hillclimb (gold superlight) and the flat TT (white TT bike), whilst defending my lead in the road stage and crit (compact road). Maybe one more race to go this year, but otherwise the season is pretty much done so I can concentrate on bike building and getting everything ready for the Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show in Portland in October. Speaking of which, the winter bike is coming along - the rear end is rather complicated with the integrated rack, but I hope to have it mostly done by the end of the week.... 21 August 2009 Stiffer, lighter, faster! The superlight V2 is done and all the little improvements have added up to a tremendous bike. Ready to race it weighs in at 11.8lbs! And I finally have the Alfine rear hub and Salmon fenders for the winter bike project, so am just lacing the rear wheel to be able to work on that one some more tomorrow..... 9 August 2009 Last weekend, after being the runner up the last two years, I finally captured the Oregon Time Trial Championship - aboard, of course, my custom TT bike. My time for the 40km was 51:13, a new personal best by 34 seconds, so pretty pleased with that! In building news.... still waiting for the cranks to complete the gold superlight bike, hopefully this coming week will see the final assembly. My other show project bike is making progress - this will be the ultimate winter training/commuting bike, with hub gear, disc brakes, belt drive and built in rack and fender mounts. Here are a few pictures of the mainframe joints (the HUGE BB is a Niner EBB for tensioning the belt): . . . . 1 August 2009 There has been a lot of interest recently, and my waiting list is now at about six months; so if you are wanting a bike for next season now is the time to have a talk with me and get a place in the queue! I just finished the next step in my superlight road concept - frame pictures are here, also featuring some new paint. Full bike pictures will be up soon. This will be one of the bikes on show at the Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show in October. 21 June 2009 A picture from Cameron of his bike just prior to being packed up to fly to Frankfurt for IronMan Germany! Go Cam Go! Latest custom frame out from the shop can be viewed here. 30 May 2009 Some fresh pictures - riding the TT bike as right and a couple more here (scroll down). And then a nice frame building sequence. Latest frame is started, but as I am off to race the Mt Hood Classic stage race next week (with UCI regulations - my bike is too light!), it won't get finished for a week or so. Several more projects in the queue now; lots of design concepts, only so much time.... 17 May 2009 Price and information on the EDGE 1.25 wheels can now be viewed here. In other EDGE news, the 1.45 rim is now available in both clincher and tubular. This is an improvement on the 1.38 - slightly deeper with a better aerodynamic profile, but at about the same weight. I have been impressed with the Extralite hubs I used with the 1.25 rims - the SX rear hub is the lightest I know of at a feathery 135g, yet it gives nothing away in stiffness or performance. Paired with the 33g M5 front hub this could be the lightest hubset available. Latest bike build is something completely different - a 'scooter' bike for a two year old to learn how to balance. 12" wheels and a very tiny frame and fork! Pictures are up here. 25 April 2009 First report on the EDGE 1.25 wheels - final weight is 798g for the pair! (or almost more impressively, 1550g with Vittoria CX tubulars, Red cassette and Enigma skewers) On the bike they feel like normal wheels until you get out of the saddle and accelerate, then the bike really surges forward as the lack of rotational inertia makes itself felt. These are going to be great for hilly road races and hill climbs; unfortunately the Willamette stage race was cancelled this weekend, so I didn't get a proper testing opportunity. Pictures/specs/pricing will be up soon! 16 April 2009 STILL waiting for the front hubs to arrive so that I can finish off the crazy light Edge 1.25 climbing wheels! I am hoping it will come together in time for me to test a pair at the Willamette Stage race next weekend. In other news, Joe finally got to ride his shiny new bicycle after waiting for the bad weather to clear. I very much enjoyed his ride report; thanks! My next project is taking shape - a track pursuit bike with a fully integrated frame/fork/stem/bar. Only shaping in my head and the CAD screen so far, but hopefully will be picking up the torch on that one soon. And I still have my folding 29er MTB to get completed too.... 26 March 2009 The new Edge 1.25 rims arrived - just barely over 200g a piece, the rear wheel is built up: Extralite SX hub with Sapim CX Ray spokes and the weight is 458g! Waiting for the front hubs to come, and then I'll have the pair finished. Pictures here when they are done. Latest customer comments can be read here. In other news, I am planning a show bike - to be a track pursuit bike with fully integrated frame/fork/handlebar. Mostly a concept in my head at this point, but I'll start the design work in CAD next. Should be fairly unique. 13 March 2009 Just coming to the end of a lovely week's training in the sunshine in Arizona and getting ready to head back to not-so-clement Oregon.... But excited about getting the new 1.25 rim from Edge - this is a shallow section carbon tubular which weighs in at under 200g. I'll be building wheels up using Extralite's extra light 135g rear hub and the 33g front hub from M5. I'm expecting the resulting pair of wheels to weigh in at well under 800g, which will make them some of the lightest ever, and should be a great wheelset for any mountain time trial or hilly road race. More details here as the parts all come together.... 6 March 2009 Well, I am writing this from San Francisco airport on my way to Arizona for a week of riding in the sunshine with Pactour. But I was able to get the latest bike completed and shipped before I left - Joe it is on it's way to you! Pictures can be viewed here. 14 February 2009 I'm about to start the next ENGLISH machine; a custom aero road bike headed out to Massachusetts for racing this season. The exciting thing is that this will be the first one with a new style of saddle clamp for the integrated seatmast: I have sourced the rail clamping hardware from Kent Eriksen (founder of Moots), and machined adapters to allow it to work in a thin-wall piece of cromoly tubing. This will be a lot neater and easier to adjust than my previous split-tube type clamp. Here is the first one with a saddle installed (but yet to be brazed to the seatmast cap): This bike will be nicely tricked out with a SRAM Red groupset, plus some chi-chi parts from Extralite and Edge, looking forward to getting it all together. And then after that there is another custom time trial frame in the works. Keeping me busy so far!