Popular Post Rattlecan ★ Posted January 2, 2021 Popular Post Share #1 Posted January 2, 2021 I do love doing over the top bike builds. My first dealer account in the bike business was with Rohloff. I established the account before I opened my short lived bike shop, but for all that, I've only sold about a half dozen of them in over 16 years. I do get inquiries from time to time, but the ticket price usually scares them off. Anyway, last fall, I was contacted by a guy who had inherited a bike from a family member who passed, and apparently there was a bunch of money in the inheritance too, because he came to me with a cost no barrier project he wanted me to build for him. The bike was nothing special, a 12 year old Diamondback Sorrento, but the sentimental value is priceless to him. So, he wants A Rohloff hub, Dynohub with lighting system and hydraulic disc brakes. The bike originally had cheap cable disc on the front and V brakes on the rear, but the frame has an ISO disc tab on the rear. Also, he wants to convert the wheel size to 650B. He first floated the idea of going to 29er, which there would be clearance for, but I suggested the 650B alternative to keep the crank height within a proper range. The catch. He wants to avoid Asian sourced parts wherever possible, so the dynohub will be a SON instead of the much cheaper SP hubs that I usually sell, the brakes will be Magura, and the chain a Wipperman. The headlight is Busch and Muller, the tail light from Herrmann. The crank and bottom bracket are Race Face, the rims are Velocity Dyad. I sourced the hubs, lights, chain, rims, and will supply the spokes. He has ordered the brakes, crank, bottom bracket and tires. (Schwalbe). He has everything but the cranks and will bring everything to me when it arrives. So, all parts from either European or North American manufacturers, even though the bike frame and fork itself are no doubt of Asian origins. So, let the fun begin. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted January 2, 2021 Share #2 Posted January 2, 2021 Any estimate on how much money he is going to tie up in this upgrade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted January 2, 2021 Share #3 Posted January 2, 2021 This sounds like the golden prototype for more money than sense! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickinMD ★ Posted January 2, 2021 Share #4 Posted January 2, 2021 By analogy, since a Chevy body on a Dodge frame means it has to be registered as a Dodge (at least in MD), he's got an Asian bike no matter how many other parts come from elsewhere! People sometimes have political or social reasons for avoiding certain things, but often it's a misconception about quality. I have relatives of avg. incomes who won't buy store brand food, calling it "welfare food," and won't be caught dead in discount stores. On the other hand, I first learned about all the best low-priced stores in my area from people with well-into 6-figure incomes, from Aldi to Goodwill - where furniture bought cheap and reupholstered stands out in one's living room. If people see me coming out of a discount store, all I expect they will say to each other is, "See? That's why he has more than a couple pennies to rub together." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkpow Posted January 2, 2021 Share #5 Posted January 2, 2021 Can you hide a motor in the frame? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share #6 Posted January 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Longjohn said: Any estimate on how much money he is going to tie up in this upgrade? I can do more than an estimate, the hard numbers are in. He has already paid me around $3,500 Canadian, and he will be well north of four grand with the parts he is sourcing. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 2, 2021 Share #7 Posted January 2, 2021 Make him pay in Yen, just for fun. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted January 2, 2021 Share #8 Posted January 2, 2021 24 minutes ago, Rattlecan said: I can do more than an estimate, the hard numbers are in. He has already paid me around $3,500 Canadian, and he will be well north of four grand with the parts he is sourcing. Wow, lots of cash! If I had a lot of money, I would get a '93 Barracuda A2T and spec it like I did when I modified mine. Find a Lawill Leader fork, Selle Italia Flight saddle, get some White hubs and build up some wheels on them, and ride that sweeteness around town, and maybe on a smooth trail every now and then. I would love to recapture that feeling I got when I first got the bike, and when I put the new fork on it. I would pay a lot to just feel like that for a few minutes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share #9 Posted January 2, 2021 36 minutes ago, MickinMD said: By analogy, since a Chevy body on a Dodge frame means it has to be registered as a Dodge (at least in MD), he's got an Asian bike no matter how many other parts come from elsewhere! People sometimes have political or social reasons for avoiding certain things, but often it's a misconception about quality. I have relatives of avg. incomes who won't buy store brand food, calling it "welfare food," and won't be caught dead in discount stores. On the other hand, I first learned about all the best low-priced stores in my area from people with well-into 6-figure incomes, from Aldi to Goodwill - where furniture bought cheap and reupholstered stands out in one's living room. If people see me coming out of a discount store, all I expect they will say to each other is, "See? That's why he has more than a couple pennies to rub together." Well, whatever makes the customer happy. The funny thing is, the gentleman is of South Asian heritage himself. 11 minutes ago, jsharr said: Make him pay in Yen, just for fun. Or maybe Renminbi. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 2, 2021 Share #10 Posted January 2, 2021 Can you build me a Graco MX 1000? Or a 1978ish Webco with Ashtabula cranks and forks. Cooks Bros goose neck, Araya rims and a set of Tuff wheels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted January 2, 2021 Share #11 Posted January 2, 2021 I hope he likes it when it’s all done. If he decides to sell it in a couple years he won’t get much for it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share #12 Posted January 2, 2021 4 minutes ago, jsharr said: Can you build me a Graco MX 1000? Or a 1978ish Webco with Ashtabula cranks and forks. Cooks Bros goose neck, Araya rims and a set of Tuff wheels? That would definitely call for 100% non refundable deposit before parts are ordered. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted January 2, 2021 Share #13 Posted January 2, 2021 5 minutes ago, Rattlecan said: That would definitely call for 100% non refundable deposit before parts are ordered. Remember I am a Boy Scout. To balance that out, remember I am a Texican. Yeah, bettet get a deposit. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share #14 Posted January 2, 2021 3 minutes ago, jsharr said: Remember I am a Boy Scout. To balance cancel that out, remember I am a Texican. Yeah, bettet get a deposit. ,,,,, 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted January 2, 2021 Share #15 Posted January 2, 2021 36 minutes ago, Rattlecan said: Or maybe Renminbi. I always forget about that currency option. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted January 2, 2021 Share #16 Posted January 2, 2021 32 minutes ago, Longjohn said: I hope he likes it when it’s all done. If he decides to sell it in a couple years he won’t get much for it. @ChrisL is always looking to add a bargain bike to his stable. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted January 2, 2021 Author Share #17 Posted January 2, 2021 1 hour ago, Longjohn said: I hope he likes it when it’s all done. If he decides to sell it in a couple years he won’t get much for it. And that will not be my problem. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted January 3, 2021 Share #18 Posted January 3, 2021 For that much money, you should throw in some high quality streamers! 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Rattlecan ★ Posted January 20, 2021 Author Popular Post Share #19 Posted January 20, 2021 Well, all the parts and pieces finally showed up and it's all together. Since I won't be able to sit down with the client and show him all the ins and outs of the things he should know, I will do a video instead. Should have that done in the next couple of days. 3 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySTL ★ Posted January 21, 2021 Share #20 Posted January 21, 2021 It took me a few seconds to realize that the RD was there as a chain tensioner. At least that's what I think it is doing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share #21 Posted January 21, 2021 30 minutes ago, JerrySTL said: It took me a few seconds to realize that the RD was there as a chain tensioner. At least that's what I think it is doing. Correct. Sometimes you get lucky and the chain will run at an acceptable tension without a tensioner in vertical dropouts, but no such luck this time. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share #22 Posted February 12, 2021 I was finally able to deliver the bike to my client yesterday, and he is thrilled. I made a video primarily for the purpose of showing him the various things I would normally demo in person on delivery of a bike with non standard components. It's long and boring, so you have been forewarned. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parr8hed Posted February 12, 2021 Share #23 Posted February 12, 2021 I love everything about this. I love things that are unique that may not make sense to 99 percent of the people, but obviously make sense to the right person. This is super dope. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted February 12, 2021 Share #24 Posted February 12, 2021 On 1/2/2021 at 9:24 AM, Rattlecan said: The catch. He wants to avoid Asian sourced parts wherever possible, so the dynohub will be a SON instead of the much cheaper SP hubs that I usually sell, the brakes will be Magura, and the chain a Wipperman. I have thought of getting a SON built up for my front wheel when I get back into commuting. I stumbled across this video which had me questioning the SON as he seems to think the light is "weaker" than the Shimano hub (among other things). For my commute, though, it is as much about being seen as seeing as I am not really hauling butt nor at risk of outrunning the light. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted February 12, 2021 Share #25 Posted February 12, 2021 Why does it need the chain tensioner? Seems a benefit of the Rohloff (or internal gears) would be not needing something as big as a derailleur still on the bike. Wouldn't just a traditional SS set-up work or is there some reason behind having the tensioner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinneR ★ Posted February 12, 2021 Share #26 Posted February 12, 2021 14 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: Why does it need the chain tensioner? Seems a benefit of the Rohloff (or internal gears) would be not needing something as big as a derailleur still on the bike. Wouldn't just a traditional SS set-up work or is there some reason behind having the tensioner? A traditional SS still needs a method for tensioning the chain. Either a sliding dropout or eccentric BB. If the frame doesn't have either you can't add them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted February 12, 2021 Share #27 Posted February 12, 2021 1 minute ago, dennis said: A traditional SS still needs a method for tensioning the chain. Either a sliding dropout or eccentric BB. If the frame doesn't have either you can't add them. That makes sense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share #28 Posted February 12, 2021 43 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: Why does it need the chain tensioner? Seems a benefit of the Rohloff (or internal gears) would be not needing something as big as a derailleur still on the bike. Wouldn't just a traditional SS set-up work or is there some reason behind having the tensioner? Vertical dropouts. Every now and then, things work out with a magic ratio which will tension the chain within reason without them. I currently have two such setups, and have built a few more, but it was not to be this time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share #29 Posted February 12, 2021 1 hour ago, Razors Edge said: I have thought of getting a SON built up for my front wheel when I get back into commuting. I stumbled across this video which had me questioning the SON as he seems to think the light is "weaker" than the Shimano hub (among other things). For my commute, though, it is as much about being seen as seeing as I am not really hauling butt nor at risk of outrunning the light. This was the first SON hub I have sold, but I have sold several Shutter Precision (SP) hubs, and use one myself. I had another one, but I sold the bike it was on last year. Performance wise, the SP is everything the SON is at about half the price, but who can say what the difference in durability is. One customer that I have sold a few SP hubs to has put many 10s of thousands of miles on them, and no reports of issues. The first one I sold to him, he immediately rode from Toronto to Costa Rica as a training ride for a race across Europe from Turkey to Belgium and that was barely breaking it in. I have less experience with Shimano Dynohubs although I did sell some bikes that came equipped with them when I ran my short lived bike shop, and I have seen the inside of one up close. All current production hubs produce 6 volt AC and 3 watts, so the strength of the light probably has more to do with the light itself than the hub. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted February 12, 2021 Share #30 Posted February 12, 2021 2 minutes ago, Rattlecan said: I have sold several Shutter Precision (SP) hubs I don't know anything about the SP hubs and will have to look into them! Thanks for the idea. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share #31 Posted February 12, 2021 3 hours ago, Razors Edge said: I have thought of getting a SON built up for my front wheel when I get back into commuting. I stumbled across this video which had me questioning the SON as he seems to think the light is "weaker" than the Shimano hub (among other things). For my commute, though, it is as much about being seen as seeing as I am not really hauling butt nor at risk of outrunning the light. Lots of stuff to geek out on in that video. Any differences in drag that I would detect is purely subjective, and I frankly would never be able to tell the difference. I have two dynohub equipped bikes, one with a Shutter Precision and the other with an old Union of uncertain vintage. I have been informed that Union was a forerunner to the Schmidt Son. It was given to me as a non functioning piece and I was able to get it running. Both bikes have Herrmans 75 lux headlights, and I find them to be quite adequate for my purposes. Here is a video series I did on resurrecting the Union hub. Also included in the series is a teardown of a Shimano hub. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted February 12, 2021 Share #32 Posted February 12, 2021 Great video but you sound like a Canadian... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share #33 Posted February 12, 2021 3 minutes ago, Kzoo said: Great video but you sound like a Canadian... I did not say "eh" even one time. I'm sure of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted February 12, 2021 Share #34 Posted February 12, 2021 45 minutes ago, Rattlecan said: I did not say "eh" even one time. I'm sure of it. I'm not so sure aboot that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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