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Re: Is anyone aware of any frame designers that would assist with a custom design? I have two Waltly frames.

I ordered a gravel frame in 2021 and it's been perfect with only one minor complaint and it was self induced. If I was to order another one, I'd add 15mm to the head tube height. But that's on me for not knowing exactly what I was looking for as this was my first drop bar bike.

In 2020, I ordered a hardtail mountain bike frame to run as a single speed. This one is having an ongoing issue that's about to get the frame thrown in the dumpster. When I went through the details with Amy, I asked for a 31.6 seatpost. Most seat tubes are bit oversized to allow the post to fit correctly. Generally, .1mm or less. On the drawing, they had it listed as a 31.75mm bore. I asked if it could be 31.65mm and I was assured that this is how they do all of their 31.6mm frames. I've tried multiple seatposts with and without beer can shims and I still can't get rid of the creaking. Any change I make to clamp torque or seat height will help but it's only temporary. By the time I get done a 2 hour ride, it's back and extremely annoying. Now circling back to my gravel frame, I ordered it with a 30.9 post and it's been silent. No bore was listed on the drawing but the post is not nearly as sloppy as it is in my single speed frame.
June 24, 2022, 07:57:38 AM 		1
Re: Softail titanium MTB 29/27.5+ (all mountain - bikepacking) I chose Titan because they seemed much more attentive to my build questions and requests.  I spoke with Walty, I have had two frames built by them previously, but this time their responses seemed really dismissive.  I know they’re busy with small batch orders, for that reason they may not be so interested in individual frames.

Titan seems to be busy too, as the have an 8 week build que from drawing approval, but still offered great up front service.  I did not deal with XACD.
July 09, 2022, 09:53:58 AM 		1
Re: Working Out if Aliexpress Sellers Actually Have Stock Any particular reason you are looking for that frame? Seems a bit "old" with QR and post mount. I wouldn't be surprised if they stopped making them in favour of the CX07 and GR02 which are a bit pricier but more modern standards. I'm also considering buying a Seaboard.
July 26, 2022, 11:24:41 AM 		1
Re: Is anyone aware of any frame designers that would assist with a custom design? One of my Waltly Ti is also 31.6mm seatpost with a 31.75mm bore. I have a Tito titanium seatpost on it with no problem. I also have a Waltly Ti with 27.2mm seatpost with 27.35mm bore, and the CarbonSpeed cf seatpost fits with no problem. And just recently received my 3rd Waltly Ti frame. Haven't built it yet but the KS 27.2mm dropper post fits pretty snug in the 27.35mm bore. I will update when it's built. I still have some parts & components in transit.

@Flying Trunk Monkey, I can only speak for Amy of Waltly. I've only dealt with her, twice at that. I'm very satisfied with her service, got to say she's probably the most patient person I've transact with. She also seems to have ample knowledge with bike parts. I remember after I gave her the list of geometry figures, she asked me if I want them to adjust the head tube length in case I am considering a Chris King Inset 7 headset. I believe that is related to your X spec component & Y fit component. You'll just have to be specific, and she'll ask you if she didn't understand.
August 08, 2022, 11:51:47 AM 		1
Re: ICAN triaero A9 Did they end up refunding you?
August 12, 2022, 08:33:54 AM 		1
For those of you looking at cable disc brakes... Oh Aliexpress...it's like you're always reading my mind. Look at what I saw earlier today: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256804206370295.html?spm=a2g0o.ppclist.product.14.6a719ofP9ofPRJ&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21USD%21US%20%2445.00%21US%20%2445.00%21%21%21%21%21%402101c84a16633692840361885e4ea8%2112000029019108399%21btf&_t=pvid:35417b01-aae9-49ea-ba7d-8fad668d4c26&afTraceInfo=1005004392685047__pc__pcBridgePPC__xxxxxx__1663369284

I've always wanted to try the Paul Klampers...are they as magical as the tales tell? At $200+ a pop that would be a very expensive experiment.
But now that I've found these...oh man. Time to build a new gravel bike?  ;D
September 16, 2022, 06:25:43 PM 		1
Re: 27.5 fat bike rims - carbon or alloy
Quote from: Flying Trunk Monkey on September 18, 2022, 07:07:24 PM
Nextie has a couple of double wall options. Be sure to haggle with them for a 20% discount.

Are people really running 27.5 rims with big (even by fat bike standards) tires in the snow?

Absolutely. As grooming has improved in certain hotspots here in Maine (Gorham, Bradbury state park, York Hill Farms, Carrabassett Valley), the trend has moved away from the tankiest possible setup with super wide 26” rims and 5” tires with super deep paddle treads such as the Surly Lou…evolving toward 27.5” wheels with 4.5” tires and better rolling tread.

It’s a lot like the difference between 27.5 and 29 MTBs…you find that less rim and tire/tread will get the job done with bigger wheels. Even where floatation matters, though good grooming greatly reduces the need for that. A more summer-like fat bike is the best way to experience good grooming conditions.

Also, running slightly narrower tires means I can finally stop running 190mm crank axles. Those are really brutal on the knees. I’m looking forward to my first year on a 170 crank axle and 27.5 fat wheels. I think I’ll be able to do more miles — even if I ride less in bad conditions without the ability to act as my own groomer like I do sometimes with 5” tires — and take less of a beating.

Ambitious fat biking in snow can really take its toll on anyone’s body and I’m a disabled rider with severe arthritis among other things…
September 19, 2022, 02:52:29 AM 		1
Re: Lefty Fork on Carbonda FM936 I tried this few years ago on another frame.
Coming from a second hand Cannondale, I was convinced it was the only good fork in the world.
The components to put a lefty on a non Cannondale frame were a bit ugly.
You can't maintain a Lefty yourself, unless you invest in very specific and expensive tools.
Make it maintained by a specialist you may find around you is also very expensive.
And you can't temporarily replace your front wheel easily if you break it on a trip or a race.

I then moved to a SID 100mm on that frame.
And now I'm very happy of the SID Ultimate 120mm on my FM936.
October 12, 2022, 06:07:54 AM 		1
Re: Super Boost Discussion What do you consider light weight and cost effective? DT Swiss 350 is about an o and ounce more than the 250g that you mentioned.

The company I was working with was via Alibaba. They wanted about $28.63 each for their custom, (to my Specification) rear 157 CL MS based rear hub.  They claimed it would weigh around 250 grams.
At first, they wanted 100 unit minimum then later dropped it to 50 minimum.   I didn't like the bearing they specified, so they were willing to upgrade, but I would have to pay around $35 each.   Since this would be a "business transaction" I would probably have to pay a Tariff (Probably 25% of value and used an import broker, into the USA, Plus shipping.)
(I asked if they were willing to sell me 2 samples, but they wanted a $50% deposit, on an order of at least 50 hubs.

What country are you in?

USA

Did you post the details of your frame elsewhere on the forum?

I'll have to look, perhaps when I joined the forum a month ago. But I think I posted the bike somewhere, but it might be on MTBR.

I agree the the superboost/83mm BB combo is a great option, especially for Ti bikepacking rigs. I wasn't aware that you could go up to 4" though. Peronally, I like the extra space just for mud clearance alone.

I have a carbon framed Otso Voytek that has an 83mm BB. It'll fit up to 4.6 on the rear. I've never run bigger than 2.8x27.5 though. I really don't notice the wider BB at all (183mm Q factor)

I'm curious which cranks you use. The Votek's crank options are pretty limited. If anyone is in the market for a set of 83mm cranks I have a take off set of Race Face Affects and BB.

I went with Race Face Carbon Next SL cranks, axle and BSA83 BB.   

Here are a couple pics of the back half of the frame and one where the bike is partially dressed for bikepacking.
December 12, 2022, 12:09:46 AM 		1
Re: Super Boost Discussion Many, if not most of the Chinese hubs use NBK Chinese bearings.  The grade they originally offered me is the second to the lowest that NBK manufactures.  The upgrade they offered me was an increase of around $2.00 each per bearing, X 3 bearings = $6.00   Not too bad an increase if you think about it.  If you look up a decent Timkin or SKF cartridge bearing, they will cost starting around $15 each.  Ceramic cartridge bearings are often in the $30 range each. 

I wont go into details about bearing selections for bicycle hubs.  I spent several years of my career working with bearing applications and designs in low RPM High vacuum environments, and had to do a lot of work with, low friction, very low particulate generation, bearings/races and  non-outgassing lubricants.

In general, almost all hub manufactures around the world are using medium RPM range cartridge bearings for what is considered a low RPM range bearing applications. (Bicycle hubs = typically under 500 rpm.)
Bearing selection for bicycles is based more on available space between the axle OD  and the ID hub housing, rather than an optimized ball/race/rpm combination.  The lubricants/greases used are typically as inexpensive as one can find.  I could go on and on, but in the end it doesn't matter because the performance of the bearings they use are good enough overall and is a second order energy loss in the complete bicycle applied to an average cyclist.

I haven't looked up the current harmonized tariffs for bicycle parts.  I believe that many of the 25% tariffs of the last administration have expired, or negotiated away by the bicycle industry.  (My hub negotiations were done at the end of last year.  I decided, what the heck would I do with even 50 hubs?  I am no longer dabble in the cycling industry on the side, so 40+ Super Boost rear hubs would be a drain on my time trying to sell them.)
December 12, 2022, 10:39:42 AM 		1