Fairwheel Bikes V3 Di2

Fairwheel Bikes V3 Di2

This is the third build that I have done in collaboration with Fairwheel Bikes in Tucson, following Emiliano’s road bike (Emiliano works at FWB) and Project Right (which was for their customer in Seattle). This time around the project had a dual purpose – a custom build for Jack at FWB, incorporating a couple of unique features he requested. And secondly to be shown on the FWB stand at Interbike, with some fancy wheels and prototype brakes.

The frame is based on the V3, with a True Temper aero downtube, S3 toptube, Columbus chainstays and English wishbone seatstays. Carbon ISP and headtube insert are from Enve. Then to match there is a custom aero fork, with a bolted crown to accept a one-piece stem/steerer. Dura-ace 9070 Di2 is fully internal, with the shift wires entering under the stem and emerging at the derailleurs and at the top of the seatmast, where the (normally stem-mounted) control box is located. The seatmast height is fixed (measure twice, cut once….), with saddle clamping hardware mounting directly to the carbon tube with an aluminium shim inside.

Brakes: I have long been a fan of Craig Edwards ee brakes, as they offer some of the best power and feel on the market, combined with a remarkably low weight. With Shimano releasing a new ‘direct-mount’ standard, Craig decided to design a version of his brake to fit the same mounting points. To this end I brazed the required bosses onto the fork and underneath the chainstays, and received a prototype set of brakes in time to install them for the show. Complete with Enve pads they weigh only 160g for the set, and appear to work with the same ease as the original, with an added tool-free centering feature.

Jack had seen an old Ritchey with the skewer nuts integrated into the frame, and asked me to come up with something similar. I machined threaded, shaped bosses and brazed them to the left side dropouts, positioned to pick up the end of titanium hex key skewers that insert from the right. The ends were left closed for a clean look, and likewise I closed up the ends of the threaded bosses on the fork crown.

The rest of the build features the usual smattering of exotica from FWB – THM carbon cranks, Praxis rings, New Ultimate bars – along with the brakes this all makes the 11spd Di2 seem rather ordinary! And of course the wheels – Enve SES 8.9s with special ti-dye stainless spokes for a bit of added color, laced to Tune hubs.

Thanks to FWB and Jack for the project (and the studio shots), media coverage from Interbike can be seen at BikeRumor, Velonews, Bike radar and Road Bike Action.

 

 

5 Comments

  1. impressive design and just looks lovely fast.

    • Rob,

      Absolutely gorgeous. Amazing.

  2. Beautiful workmanship and attention to details. Simply a work of art.

  3. Thanks — the bike is great!
    The fit is perfect and Rob’s work is top notch.

  4. That custom stem looks v interesting but there isn’t any mention on how it came to be.

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