Chad, this is all your fault. I sent in my deposit today and got the process started. (I just got in before the price increases, YEA)
Going to look at taking Chads and Ves great advice. Looking at two bikes. The first would be an aggressive angle to be used on shorter Tri races. And, depending on whether the numbers work out that I fit on a DE frame, then a second bike that would be a little less aggressive to be used no longer Tri races, training rides, and maybe group rides. (Got to spend my Velotron return money some where) ANd then I would take an older bike I have, put on parts to get close to these bike angles, and use on a trainer. (Much cheaper than a third bike, and I really would not want to put these bikes on a trainer. I keep braking rear axles on the computrainer.)
So far, I can not say how impressed with the ideas Ves has had, and willingness to answer all my crazy emotional questions! Seems real cool that we can work together to build the bike that is going to fit, and then only buy the parts I need based on getting PC’s and longer cranks.
You will love that bike. That is the real deal: A real bike made by a real guy. You can shake the man’s hand who made your bike. There still is a litle something special about that.
Cool bike!! Guess they keep them all locked up at night. What were the specs on the frame design, meaning seat angle?
It’s a 55 DE (steep seat tube w/long f-c), in Ves’ standard geometry. The only extra was the two-tone paint and a little something for the Reynolds fork. He built it up with all the parts from my old bike. Some of those parts are now on their fourth bike.
I went in there with my old QR set up exactly like I wanted it. I just said, “Match this exactly with respect to the rider’s position, only make it so it rides nice and so I don’t have to use this Look Ergostem anymore.”
We picked up the wife’s bike last january, day before a 10day bike camp. The only thing she changed was to drop the seat height by about 7mm. She has ridden the exact same position ever since.
It was pretty fun talking to him and his wife. We hope to do the same again this January. Good riding around there and there are the beaches, Disney, and Paloma!
Quick question for you folks: I got a manzanita DE frame that I’m building up. However, I bought it used. I was wondering if it would be inappropriate to ask Ves for some guidance on first fitment.
Have you heard of Reynolds (or anyone else) coming out with any further aero fork options? I would guess after all of Dan’s articles they’re at least thinking about it. Maybe they’ll come out with an aero fork with 48mm of rake for an integrated headset, and I’m good to go.
I’d probably opt for the aero fork as well. What head tube angle and bottom bracket drop did Ves go with for you? What length stem were originally recommended and are you on now? Your drop was 20 cm or so, right?
Congratulations h20fun! I am planning to order a Yaqui myself for the new season. I noticed in your message you mentioned a price increase-do you know when this is going to come info effect and how substantial it is? Also, as for deposit, what % of the total cost is that? I know I should email or call Ves but I don’t want to bother him too early-I am pretty broke right now but given the imminent price increase maybe I’ll have to act quickly!
The prices have already increased as you can see on the web.
300 is the deposit which has him do the computer input for frame size. I have asked if I need to do more to hold the old prices since I started with him before the price increases, which are 200 to 300 bucks.
I think it makes a small but measurable difference. Whether that’s “practical” is a bit more subjective.
I’d guess that it’s less of a difference than a single aero wheel, maybe more like the difference between two aero wheels. i think of the fork, the frame, and little things like shoe covers as the last little bit of aero improvement you can get, after your position and the wheels gets you 95% there.
I wouldn’t buy a new fork to get one that’s more aero, but if you’re buying one anyway, and the aero one meets your other needs, then why not?
Have you heard of Reynolds (or anyone else) coming out with any further aero fork options? I would guess after all of Dan’s articles they’re at least thinking about it. Maybe they’ll come out with an aero fork with 48mm of rake for an integrated headset, and I’m good to go.
I’d probably opt for the aero fork as well. What head tube angle and bottom bracket drop did Ves go with for you? What length stem were originally recommended and are you on now? Your drop was 20 cm or so, right?
Tom
I doubt Reynolds is going to make a 50 unless the big bike makers ask for it en *masse. *Ves had doubts about me using a 45 in his frame designed for a 50. It works fine, and for the life of me I couldn’t imagine what I would change. The bike rides on rails and does whatever I ask it to do. Heck, it’s a half a cm of trail. I defy anyone to go out and be able to tell the difference in a blind test. Bill Holland himself told me I’d never feel the difference. He was right.
I think the bike has a 72 headtube. Most all bikes have 72.5 or 73 these days, with 43 forks. We started with a 90 stem at 17cm drop. In ordering the bike, I had Ves assure me I could go to 22cm of drop. It turns out that I did go that low, and I now have a 100mm stem. With the saddle centered on the rails (and 77.5cm high), the nose is 2cm in front of the bb. The only way to ride this bike at 76 degrees or less is to get a setback seatpost.
Don’t know the bb drop. I assume it’s pretty standard.
