New bicycle brand from Merry Sales = New Albion

[eflayer]

http://newalbioncycles.com/

 

Makes me wonder if, or the degree to which, Grant Peterson may be associated with these bikes. Not sure how they are differentiated from Soma, but some nice stuff coming.

[cyclotourist]

Looks like a lot of influence from Walnut Creek. I also would think that Keith Bontrager might have something to say about their naming conventions: http://newalbioncycles.com/privateer1/

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

On Fri, Feb 14, 2014 at 7:40 PM, eflayer <eddie....@att.net> wrote:

http://newalbioncycles.com/

 

Makes me wonder if, or the degree to which, Grant Peterson may be associated with these bikes. Not sure how they are differentiated from Soma, but some nice stuff coming.

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[hsmitham]

On first look I immediately liked the head badge. Makes me want to drink a stout.

~Hugh "going to the fridge for one" Smitam

[hsmitham]

Already had a stout and misspelled my name. Doh.

[ascpgh]

I saw two things right off that made me think the same. The headbadge and the style of the midstay on the Starling frame; that little upturn a few inches before the dropout. 

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

[Chris Lampe 2]

It's always nice to see a new line of cro-moly bikes enter the market.  With the growing interest and participation in adventure bike riding, I don't understand why all of these companies limit the tire clearance on their tourers to 40'ish mm.   From reading various forums there is a market for traditional diamond frame bicycles that will take 29'er tires.  RBW's Hunqapillar is the one I'm most familiar with and Velo-Orange is coming out with their Camargue in May, which I plan to purchase.   That's about it as far as mainstream brands and I'm not even sure there are many smaller brands selling bikes like this. 

[eflayer]

Paint and decals and head badge seem to have Grant's fingerprints on em.

On Friday, February 14, 2014 7:40:06 PM UTC-8, eflayer wrote:

[eflayer]

one more thing. If you look here:

 

http://store.somafab.com/newalprfr.html

 

The Privateer might already be for sale. Could this pricing be correct? $279.

On Friday, February 14, 2014 7:40:06 PM UTC-8, eflayer wrote:

[Steve Palincsar]

On 02/15/2014 08:56 AM, Chris Lampe 2 wrote:
> It's always nice to see a new line of cro-moly bikes enter the market.

At least one, the red complete bike, is described as being made from
hi-ten steel, which we all know and love as "gas pipe."

[Steve Palincsar]

On 02/15/2014 09:05 AM, eflayer wrote:
> one more thing. If you look here:
> http://store.somafab.com/newalprfr.html
> The Privateer might already be for sale. Could this pricing be
> correct? $279.

But no fork.

[Chris Lampe 2]

Wow.   I didn't look at that one because road bikes aren't my thing.  Not sure what to say.  Selling a hi-ten bike with even one lug and a headbadge......doesn't make a lot of sense to me.  

[Bruce Herbitter]

From the Soma site: "Tange Infinity double butted CrMo steel main tubes"

[Ron Mc]

My guess is they've asked for more designs from Grant - while we're at it, can we borrow the Atlantis head tube badge?  

[Mike Schiller]

not sure if there is any Riv connection, but some background is listed here.  http://karledwards.com/bicycle/new-albion-soma/

I recall seeing this a year ago.  

The frames look nice for low priced items. 

~mike

On Friday, February 14, 2014 7:40:06 PM UTC-8, eflayer wrote:

[BSWP]

Gosh, the mixte frame looks quite similar to some of RBW's previous mixte frames... I'm not a historian of frame design, but the curves on the middle stays look 'bout identical to the stays on the Glorius.

- Andrew, Berkeley

[Hugh Smitham]

Steve Soma has you pick/ purchase the fork  separately here,  http://store.somafab.com/forks.html 

cost for frame & fork $ 458.99.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

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[Bruce Herbitter]

Or you could order a Carbonomas and get some real Rivyness...

On 2/15/2014 11:53 AM, Hugh Smitham wrote:

Steve Soma has you pick/ purchase the fork  separately here,  http://store.somafab.com/forks.html 

cost for frame & fork $ 458.99.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

On Sat, Feb 15, 2014 at 6:12 AM, Steve Palincsar <pali...@his.com> wrote:

On 02/15/2014 09:05 AM, eflayer wrote:

one more thing. If you look here:
http://store.somafab.com/newalprfr.html
The Privateer might already be for sale. Could this pricing be correct? $279.

But no fork.

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[eflayer]

Me thinks Carbonnomas esta no mas. Not on the Riv site where I could find it.

On Friday, February 14, 2014 7:40:06 PM UTC-8, eflayer wrote:

[Bruce Herbitter]

yet another esoteric bit of Elvish lore, I suppose. In a few years, the
new arrivals will whisper that once upon a time you could order a lugged
steel Rivendell fork.....

[Bill]

The headbadge looks very similar to that of the Atlantis.  Either Grant very closely collaborated with them, maybe as an outside consultant, or they are big enough to simply go it alone.  It would nice to know more about who is behind this.

On Friday, February 14, 2014 10:40:06 PM UTC-5, eflayer wrote:

[Cecily Walker]

Sure wish I could find consistent pricing information on these bikes. I do like that mixte.

[justin...@gmail.com]

Head badge article: http://karledwards.com/blog/process-of-process-the-new-albion-cycles-badge/

They look nice. I'm surprised they aren't just marketed as SOMA though.

-J

[Hugh Smitham]

Thanks for that Justin...fun to read the process. If I wasn't already maxed on bike projects I'd build one of these bikes up just for the head badge.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

[cyclotourist]

The Homebrew might just be the go-to bike for when friends ask you "What kind of a bike should I get? I don't want to spend a lot of money..."

It's still probably going to be more than they want to spend (usually less than $300), but a real nice alternative to low-end 'eks and 'izeds. 

http://newalbioncycles.com/homebrew-road-bike/

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

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[Hugh Smitham]

That's a really good point. There are so many good low priced alternatives out there these days and if patience is your thing CL. But yeah more choice is a good thing. And that head badge rocks!

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

[Elisabeth Sherwood]

Isn't anyone else reacting with a "boy, that looks really, really cheap"?  Other than the headbadge and a level top-tube, I'm not seeing anything compelling. I find it weird that the same people that own Soma would put together something like this.

(Unrelated to this particular bicycle, I tend to point friends who ask "what kind of bicycle should I get?" to a nice, versatile hybrid like the Jamis Coda or Trek 7.3FX -- something that they'll be able to ride -- and enjoy riding -- anywhere and everywhere. Well, if I think that's the right bike for them, of course.)

-- Liz S.

Washington, DC

[Chris Lampe 2]

I feel the same way.  I soon as I saw 'hi-ten', my interest was lost.    

[Mike Schiller]

The Privateer model is double butted Tange CrMo and fits 38 mm tires. That seems to be the better frameset.

~mike

Carlsbad Ca.

[Steve Palincsar]

On 02/16/2014 05:38 PM, Mike Schiller wrote:
> The Privateer model is double butted Tange CrMo and fits 38 mm tires.
> That seems to be the better frameset.

At the risk of belaboring the point, it's not a frameset, it's a frame
w/o a fork. Yes, Merry Sales does sell a bunch of forks. Good luck
figuring out which one goes with that frame, because it's not at all
obvious.

[Hugh Smitham]

Awesome! I think it looks like a good bike. When you get it post some pictures and congrats.

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipedemusings.blogspot.com/

On Sat, Feb 15, 2014 at 2:48 PM, eflayer <eddie....@att.net> wrote:

I ordered a Privateer. Time will tell.

On Friday, February 14, 2014 7:40:06 PM UTC-8, eflayer wrote:

http://newalbioncycles.com/

 

Makes me wonder if, or the degree to which, Grant Peterson may be associated with these bikes. Not sure how they are differentiated from Soma, but some nice stuff coming.

--

[eflayer]

The Privateer is available on the Soma store website and it tells you which fork to buy:

 

http://store.somafab.com/newalprfr.html

On Friday, February 14, 2014 7:40:06 PM UTC-8, eflayer wrote:

[cyclotourist]

Remember, this is for someone that wants really, really cheap. What other steel road bikes all there for less that $500?

[Steve Palincsar]

On 02/16/2014 08:49 PM, cyclotourist wrote:
> Remember, this is for someone that wants really, really cheap. What
> other steel road bikes all there for less that $500?

What leads you to believe the New Albion Homebrew complete bicycle is
less than $500? Phattire.com says list is $1,099.00 but they're
selling it for$949.00 -- a far cry from "less than $500."

[J L]

These bikes are probably good enough for the people who end up buying them.  They don't interest me.
 

[cyclotourist]

Then I wouldn't recommend it :-)

I was guessing the price-point based on that of my default bike recommendation for cheap newbies: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist.htm 

Seems like it's a lower end build than the that, so couldn't imagine it would be more.

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

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[dougP]

It could work for someone who wants a comfortable, entry level bike.  One's first bike is rarely one's last. 

Don't know about recommendations.  Especially a first bike should be ridden, compared, pondered a bit. 

dougP

On Sunday, February 16, 2014 7:43:47 PM UTC-8, cyclot...@gmail.com wrote:

Then I wouldn't recommend it :-)

I was guessing the price-point based on that of my default bike recommendation for cheap newbies: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist.htm 

Seems like it's a lower end build than the that, so couldn't imagine it would be more.

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

On Sun, Feb 16, 2014 at 7:20 PM, Steve Palincsar <pali...@his.com> wrote:

On 02/16/2014 08:49 PM, cyclotourist wrote:

Remember, this is for someone that wants really, really cheap. What other steel road bikes all there for less that $500?

What leads you to believe the New Albion Homebrew complete bicycle is less than $500?   Phattire.com says list is $1,099.00 but they're selling it for$949.00 -- a far cry from "less than $500."

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[Chris Lampe 2]

The highest level frame is listed as "cro-mo main tubes" which to me suggests hi-ten stays.  When you add the Soma fork the combined price ends up being $420....not much less than a Surly frameset.  Also, I think anyone who is willing to build a bike from the frame up is probably an enthusiast and I can't imagine an enthusiast settling for hi-ten in any part of the frame.  At the price-point, I just can't see who they are marketing to.  

[eflayer]

Merry Sales says Privateer is all Infinity, butted main tubes, cromo in the stays.

[grant]

I swear to God, Allah, Buddha, the Dalai Llama, Bob Dylan, and Nebuchadnezzar that I had nothing to do with it. Jim from Merry Sales DID email me early art of the badge, and I said hmmm, really...? Was a little bummed, but more surprised than bummed, I also know a nd like the badge designer, talked to him about it, have made peace with all, and at no point did things get even close to ugly. After Jim assured me it was not functionally like the Atlantis, no problem. The first one was the red road bike. Next, this Betty Foy-ish colored mixte. It's all fine, but Nope, I had nothing to do with it.

We may come out with our own boodjay bike in a year, but --- that's just a rumor at this point.

[Steve Palincsar]

On 02/17/2014 03:28 PM, grant wrote:
>
> We may come out with our own boodjay bike in a year, but --- that's
> just a rumor at this point.

What is "boodjay"???

[eflayer]

Grant needs to provide a translation ap. Me thinks budjaay = budget?

[Chris Lampe 2]

Does the rumor mill include what current Riv model this new bike might be most like? 

[Evan Baird]

Don't compare New Albion to Rivendell. They're really not in the same league. Feel free to compare them to Surly, VO, Public and the like though.

[dougP]

See?  Those French classes paid off. :-).  I think you've got it.

The idea of a "budget Rivendell" crops up from time to time, but those beautiful lugs we all love just can't be done at the price of a TIG welded frame.

dougP

[eflayer]

I was in my local shop today and they had a built Soma Saga bike. Yes it is tigged, but the welds were as smooth as any tigs I have ever seen. A fine looker. I took a short test ride and liked it a lot. But I think/hope the Privateer will suit my non-touring needs even better. I love the lugs, but for this town bike, tigs should be just fine.

[eflayer]

Ordered Privateer on Friday, arrived today from bikemania.biz. Size 60cm, frame weighs 5lb, 8oz. Steel cross fork, 350mm steerer, weighs 2lb, 8oz. I know noone cares about weight. Waiting for parts to arrive.

[Bill Lindsay]

Good luck with your Privateer!  Plenty of us care about weight.  Some care a little, some care a lot.  Some only care sometimes.  

[Peter Morgano]

I mean that is a screaming deal for what it is, report back as I am sure there are many people who want an inexpensive option, even if they do have a Rivendell. Just looking at the construction quality and the price I don't think this eats into the Rivendell market as much as the VO market, but just my way of seeing things.

--

[eflayer]

I hope it rides nearly as good as it looks. I think the aesthetics are a bit mind blowing in the positive direction. Hope not lipstick on the proverbial pig.

[Steve Palincsar]

On 02/18/2014 03:57 PM, eflayer wrote:
> I hope it rides nearly as good as it looks. I think the aesthetics are
> a bit mind blowing in the positive direction. Hope not lipstick on the
> proverbial pig.

I look forward to your report on it, once you have it built up.

[Rob H.]

Can anyone confirm the headset/fork situation for the Starling mixte? The New Albion website says it is 1" but does not say whether it is threaded or threadless. From the looks of the photos I've seen on the www it is threadless, not a quill stem, that is coming out of the headset.

So is it a 1" threadless or 1-1/8" threadless? Can anyone say for certain?

[Surlyprof]

SOMA describes New Albion as a sister company.  This was on the Somafab blog (posted October 9, 2014 by Evan Baird):

Lauching our sister company New Albion Cycles was one of the most exciting projects I've had the pleasure to be a part of. From designing the head badge, to building the first Homebrew, it's been a real education. I think the Privateer is the very best value in a steel frameset on the market today, and I'm incredibly proud to have had a hand in it's development.

On Friday, February 14, 2014 at 7:40:06 PM UTC-8, eflayer wrote:

[Bill M.]

Ahem.

I don't see Rivendell as the inspiration for the New Albion head badge, and the name is hardly original.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Albion_Brewing_Company

The New Albion Brewing Company was founded in 1976 in Sonoma, CA, and was the first modern American microbrewery.  

Any guesses what their label looked like?

The name is now owned by the folks that make Sam Adams, and apparently the brand has been re-introduced with essentially the same graphics.  

I can't quite believe that the head badge was designed with no foreknowledge of the beer brand labels, especially given the beer reference on the bikes' home page, and a model called Homebrew.  It feels a little disingenuous to me.  I'd feel better about it if Merry Sales and KE would acknowledge the connection overtly, but that might run them into some copyright issues with the folks that own the name in the brewing world.

Bill

Stockton, CA

[M D Smith]

Sorry to drift this, but both the brewery and, presumably, the bicycles were named after "Nova Albion," the name Sir Frances Drake gave to northern California upon claiming it for Queen Elizabeth I.  The ship is the Golden Hind.  Albion="white" after the cliffs of Dover so New Albion= New England.

I like the connection of ships and bikes.  I often describe my Rivendell to the carbon/tri/"training" set as akin to a wooden sailboat ("slowly going nowhere, at great expense") while the carbon bikes are more like modern speedboats.  I like to wrap my bars with green tape on the starboard and red on the larboard. 

And (ahem... pardon the self promotion) if anyone wants to know more about the brewery and can wait a few months, check out <thecomicbookstoryofbeer.com>

Cheers- Mike in Htfd, CT

[Brewster Fong]

On Monday, March 23, 2015 at 8:06:05 PM UTC-7, Bill M. wrote:

Ahem.

 

The New Albion Brewing Company was founded in 1976 in Sonoma, CA, and was the first modern American microbrewery.  

 

Actually, it is debatable whether Albion was the *first* modern American "microbrewery!"  Anchor Brewery which started in 1849, came out with its Anchor Steam Beer in 1971!

 

 http://www.anchorbrewing.com/brewery/our_history

[Eric Norris]

If we're going back that far, let's keep going. The first ale was brewed in the US in 1587!

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/101/history_american_beer/ 

--Eric N

www.CampyOnly.com

CampyOnlyGuy.blogspot.com

Twitter: @CampyOnlyGuy

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[Johan Larsson]

I thought steeper seat tube angles for smaller sizes were a thing of the past? Only means you have to shove back the saddle more and more, and have seat posts with more setback.

Johan Larsson,
Sweden

[Eddie Flayer]

it says 1 inch headset, so must be 1 inch threadless steerer. If in doubt, send them an email.

[Jim A]

It is indeed 1" threadless. Slightly strange choice. But I have built up a couple of the frames and like them.

[Joe Bunik]

what are they using in terms of stem?
=- Joe Bunik
Walnut Creek, CA

[Matt]

Someone with a business background (not me) could probably chime in with a name for it, but what I see is a classic pattern used in product sales and marketing.

There is an established classic bicycle aesthetic, with ascribed qualities, values, and identities, that Rivendell is arguably at the forefront of. New Albion capitalizes on this established and well-worked-for aesthetic by providing bike buyers with solid elements of the aesthetic, but at a lower price.

This is why KIA designed a car to look like the Honda Civic and Ford made the Taurus look like an Aston Martin. They tread heavily on the design of the more established, higher status and more expensive product, but sell at a cheaper price.

So like buyers of the Ford Taurus, buyers of the New Albion might aspire to one day afford/own a Rivendell, but settle (at least in the mean time) for something that fulfills to their satisfaction both the aesthetic needs and functional needs of the bike, but at a lower cost.

[Matt]

Do others find there is a kind of "Bicycle Ladder" like there is a "Property Ladder?"

As an example, for me, I started my bike obsession piecing bikes together from parts found in the trash. Then I had a decent wheelset built for my favourite of the 1980's found frames. Then I bought a used Soma frame and moved all the best parts over. Then I bought a used Surly and built myself a nice wheelset. Then I bought a used Rivendell frame. One day I'd like a custom, etc.

Perhaps the New Albion is just another available rung to this Ladder?

[Jim A]

A steerer tube shim and then whichever 1 1/8" stem you want. Not a very elegant solution but pretty much invisible when installed. Theoretically could cause problems but pretty unlikely to.

[Evan Baird]

The name was licensed from New Albion brewing.

http://karledwards.com/blog/process-of-process-the-new-albion-cycles-badge/

[Johan Larsson]

On Sat, Apr 4, 2015 at 9:02 PM, Evan Baird <vanst...@gmail.com> wrote:

The name was licensed from New Albion brewing.

http://karledwards.com/blog/process-of-process-the-new-albion-cycles-badge/

But it doesn't say anything, not even a word about that in the link you provided?

/Johan Larsson,

Sweden