Review of Crust Lightning Bolt

[Justin Schoop]

Thinking about purchasing one of these frames and am just curious about ride quality, feel, etc. I know they are relatively new, but would love to hear from people that have built one up. I'd be ordering an XL. Thanks!

Justin

[John Guild]

I hope to pick up mine (an XL) later this week. I will be posting impressions ASAP.

[Justin Schoop]

Exchanged emails with Matt yesterday. Said they are in stock and ship within two days. Darn N+1

[Daniel Jackson]

If applicable - always remember the corollary of n+1: S-1.

[Thomas Hassler]

Hi Justin,

I've had my proto-lightning frame since September and am in love. A few points below that I like about it v.s all my other bikes I've had.

• Ride quality is sublime. It's a lightweight touring/randonneuring frame with a tight rear-end which makes it snappy and fast on the road, and the low-trail front end is perfect for riding both with and without bags.
• Originally I had WTB horizons on it, which fit fine, but I wanted fenders, so went down to BSP tubeless. This enhanced the ride further. Bike is solid with large tires, but the 42mm really make it feel like a road bike vs a cushy touring bike, and I think I'll stick to the 42mm even tho I could fit the SBH.
• My clear coat has held up wonderfully both on long adventures where bags and racks have been rubbing/mounted, and even after a pretty nasty NYC winter so far with lots of snow and salt and moisture on the roads.
• I'm 6'2 and ride the 61 square frame, which fits more like a 58cm frame. I run a 100mm stem and feel it's just perfect. This bike is better suited to a shorter stem than a road bike. Both due to the low trail and to the geometry of the front end.
• My frame isn't TA on the front, so there is a little pull on the fork when braking heavily on a downhill. Nothing that is major, but just a slight lean if on really steep roads, particularly when loaded up on the front. That said, I had this on my Rawland as well, so not Crust specific.
• This frame is like the reinvented Romanceur. It's lighter, more agile, and is better suited to road riding as a main surface. I've done a ton of stupid shit on single track/off road riding and it performs just as well, but this thing loves to climb, and descends really spectacularly on pavement. 
• I think the most surprising thing is how well this bike accelerates and keeps a good speed with little effort. My Rawland was sluggish and slow on the road, whereas this feels like a classic steel frame build for speed while running larger tires. 

Happy to answer other questions you might have. A little different tubing and specs on the production version compared to mine, but I reckon they will be quite similar in feel. Same geo. 

Thomas

NYC

On Monday, January 22, 2018 at 11:24:08 AM UTC-5, Justin Schoop wrote:

[Justin Schoop]

Thomas,

Thanks for the response. Would you mind loading a few pics of your bike?

[Justin Schoop]

It's on! N+1 prevails!

Just placed my order with Crust for an XL Lightning Bolt and one of their brazed clear coat 80mm stems!

[ViveLemond]

Sounds great. Could you add insight into which Rawland you had and why it was "sluggish and slow"? I just bought a Novdavinden frame, so certainly hoping it's not slow!

[eric moss]

Barely on topic, but here's a fun interview with Matt from Crust Bikes:

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5eJzXVzKFg

On Tue, Jan 23, 2018 at 1:15 PM, ViveLemond <samkru...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sounds great. Could you add insight into which Rawland you had and why it was "sluggish and slow"? I just bought a Novdavinden frame, so certainly hoping it's not slow!

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[Justin Schoop]

Seen it, it's worth a look.

[mister...@gmail.com]

Not OP,
But here is mine. I just added a front (pizza) rack and will try fitting some honjo fenders later tonight.

https://imgur.com/a/2N3DJ

Loving it so far!

[John Cranford]

What's the sizing like on the Lightning Bolt? Thomas mentioned that he built a 61 which fit more like a 58. Did you have a similar experience? Beautiful build btw! I'm dreaming hard for this N+1 right now. 

[mister...@gmail.com]

Mine is a 57/medium but I usually ride a 54-56. I’m 5’10” and this fits great. I am planning to get a proper fitting once I get everything dialed in.

[Will Morris]

What kind of handlebar bag do you have on that? Looks like a nice size.

Thanks,

- Will

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[Justin Schoop]

John, I was in the same boat, dreaming about this n+1. I pulled the trigger this morning. Now on going nuts over parts.

[mister...@gmail.com]

I made it. 

[John Cranford]

Oh, congrats!!! My only concern is my stand over on the the small is 784 and my max is about 777. I would scoop up the XS but, I worry that might be too small. Anyone got some tips on how to wrap my brain around geo numbers? 

[Kevin]

So many bikes I want to buy but so little space to keep them all...

[avand...@gmail.com]

Find the stack and reach of your current bike to compare.

Here's a spread sheet of some bikes to compare the Lightening Bolt against https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TnJluK60jqLsgu1xMGg-eQsNEItR_Nm5IEsWI9PQaXA/edit#gid=0

[John Cranford]

Hey, thanks! That spreadsheet is super helpful. 

[Thomas Hassler]

Hi Justin,

Here you go. A couple of different shapes and forms. Power commuter/fast rando. Enjoy your new bike. It's a damn sweet ride to be sure. 

[Patrick Finnicum]

What kind of Shimergo drivetrain are you running there?

[Justin Schoop]

These photos are sweet. I just received an email that it’ll arrive tomorrow! Can’t wait. I commute on my Atlantis and plan on building up a light touring, rando version. Similar to that first photo.

[mister...@gmail.com]

Congrats, you're gonna love it! I got my fenders on last night. I'll post a pic later. 

[John Guild]

Justin, you and I will have to swap Atlantis/Lightning Bolt comparisons! I think the Lightning Bolt will be the perfect companion to my Atlantis. I'm just worried it will make the rest of my bike obsolete.

[Thomas Hassler]

Hi Patrick,

Campy 11 chorus shifters (pre 2016 model) and Shimano 9 Speed shadow XT mtb RD. Chorus 11 FD with a praxis sub-compact crank and an 11-40 9 Speed Sunrace cassette.

Works better than Campy/Campy, way cheaper. Been running it for 3 years on my touring/Rando rigs and prefer it to a full 11 drivetrain.

Thomas
NYC

[Weston Hein]

I wonder if there is enough room on these for Rat Traps? I know Crust doesn't list them in the description but maybe a possibility?

[mister...@gmail.com]

I remember seeing something on IG that Matt said rat traps won't fit. The Compass 48s are a pretty tight fit. 

[Thomas Hassler]

Ya RTP wont fit. I just tried a pair of Burts in the frame and it clears the fork but not the rear stays. SBH were juuuust small enough. Can only fit fenders with 42mm as well.

[Mario Russo]

 

Campy 11 chorus shifters (pre 2016 model) and Shimano 9 Speed shadow XT mtb RD. Chorus 11 FD with a praxis sub-compact crank and an 11-40 9 Speed Sunrace cassette.

Works better than Campy/Campy, way cheaper. Been running it for 3 years on my touring/Rando rigs and prefer it to a full 11 drivetrain.

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for sharing. Interesting combination - I didn't realize those were compatible. Curious: what aspect do you prefer to a full 11 drivetrain?

Mario

[Justin Schoop]

I am leaning towards a SRAM 1x set up. The simplicity with only the rear mech has me sold. Plus I've ridden sram red on my road bikes since it's come out and have no complaints.

[mister...@gmail.com]

Here is mine. I was able to fit SBH under my fenders but I wouldn't recommend it. The clearance is super tight. Looking at swapping for either Byways or babyshoes in the near future. 

[Justin Schoop]

Awesome! I'm going to take my time building mine up. I'll start with wheels and basically work from the ground up.

[Daniel Jackson]

Thomas,

Can that XT rear mech cover big big on your 2 x 9 provided chainline is set accordingly?

Thanks,
Daniel

[Thomas Hassler]

Hi Daniel,

Yes it can. Given my big ring only 48t it works, though I don’t use it often. I think anything over a 50t would be too aggressive chain angle.

[Thomas Hassler]

Hi Mario,

Mostly it’s a cost thing, given the ridiculous prices of campagnolo parts. I prefer Campy shifting and hoods to any other brand. I also like that I can run a Shimano rear wheel, which gives me a huge variety of cassettes to experiment with, as well as hub combinations if I ever rebuild a wheel.

That said, it shifts perfectly. It’s uncanny how well these parts work together. I though the lack of a cable adjuster for the rd would be an issue (the rd doesn’t have one at the pinch bolt) but it’s never been an issue. Lastly, I do a lot of remote riding, and if I need a part in a small town Shimano is easily found in my experience over Campy.

[John Guild]

I picked mine up from Matt on Friday, and have put about 100 miles on it since then. Here are my initial impressions.

First, some context: the Lightning Bolt represents a lot of firsts for me: I have zero experience with low trail, 650B tires, tubeless, OR disc brakes. I've owned (and sold) a Pacer, a Smoothies, a Cross Check, a CAAD10, and my current stable is a Black Mountain Road, a Mercian Superlight, an Atlantis, and a Schwinn Voyageur SP, all of which I enjoy. 

The Build:

• XL Lightning Bolt Frame made from glorious Reynolds 853
• Velocity Blunt SS rims, White Industries CLD in the back, SONDelux up front
• Compass BSP set up tubeless
• TRP Spyres and TRP brake levers
• White Industries headset (none of that roller bearing stuff)
• Crust fillet brazed stem (80mm)
  
• Crust Shaka Bar
• SUN XCD Front and Rear Derailleur
  
• Dia Compe Bar End shifters set up for friction
• 11-32 cassette (10spd)
• IRD Compact Road crank
• Paul tall and handsome seatpost cut down a bit

Impressions

• I've never enjoyed a first weekend with a bike more than this. It's been an absolute delight to ride from the start. It's as fast as my Black Mountain Road, and as comfortable as my Atlantis. I can't overstate this: I've never had a bike that was such a great mix of speed and comfort.
• Does it plane? I don't know, man. Unlike most other bikes I've owned, it doesn't feel like I'm stepping in sand when I pedal hard. There's an eagerness to it, a sense that it's not fighting back (especially on climbs). 
• The Crust Shaka Bars are my new favorites--crazy wide, short-ish ramps, and shallow drops. I've been told that wide bars and low trail don't mix, but it's worked great for me so far. For a wide shouldered guy like me, they are wonderfully comfy.
• Low trail is very new to me, and to be honest, I didn't have expectations on what it would feel like. I've ridden the bike with and without a front load. No issues either way, but yeah, it definitely handles great with a Swift Ozette bag and a load up front. I live in the NYC area, and the roads are filled with debris and potholes. Maybe it's my imagination, but I feel like I can dodge them a lot easier.
• The construction quality on the frame seems outstanding. The copper brazing is gorgeous. A LOT of people commented on it while I was out riding this weekend.

Stuff I might change:

• I'm still figuring out how I feel about tubeless. There were 1 or 2 times on the first ride when the tires felt a little sketchy on fast corners. I lowered the pressure a bit the next day, and it felt better.
• A 50/34 crankset on this bike feels silly. I'll probably go to a 48 or 46.

Sizing Stuff:

My Lightning Bolt is an XL, and with the 80mm stem, it fits me perfectly. My PBH is around 90cm, and my SH is 79.5. 

It's early, but I'm beyond delighted with the bike so far. I've never had a better first impression with a bike. Matt (the one and only person at Crust) has been outstanding to work with. If you're in the NYC/Philly area, go pay him a visit! He actually keeps a decent amount of stuff stocked in the shop, and that part of the shore is fun to visit off-season.

On Monday, January 22, 2018 at 11:24:08 AM UTC-5, Justin Schoop wrote:

Thinking about purchasing one of these frames and am just curious about ride quality, feel, etc. I know they are relatively new, but would love to hear from people that have built one up. I'd be ordering an XL. Thanks!

Justin

[Justin Schoop]

Excellent! Thanks for all the input.

[Bill Romano]

Great write up John and great Lightning Bolt build. question: seems like you were up and running fast. Did Matt/Crust do the build for you? It just amazes me how much Matt is able to get done there on his own. I watched the PLP interview with him and he just seems so calm when he says “yeah, it’s crazy busy, but it’s cool, I love it...” Well, if he did the build on yours, it looks great, and it’s good to know that he can turn out builds like that in short order. Either way it looks great! Enjoy.

Bill in Westchester, NY

[John Guild]

Thanks, Bill! Matt did the build himself, including the wheel build. Total lead time from me dropping off a few parts to picking up the bike was a little under two weeks. I think there was a delay in one of the hubs being delivered.

Spec'ing out the build with Matt was a ton of fun, too. As I said before, I'm new to disc brakes, 650B, tubeless, etc, so I was glad to have some guidance.

[Thomas Hassler]

John,

I think one of my coworkers may have given you a surprising pat on the back the other day up Alpine mistaking you for me?

Awesome looking build. Love the way the cranks pop on the frame. Stoked to see another LB on the NYC streets.

Hopefully see you on the road this summer.

Thomas

[John Guild]

Hahaha! Yes, that definitely happened! Nice guy. The bike got a lot of comments in the rack at Runcible Spoon. I don't think 650B bikes are too common on that route.

Your build looks excellent, too. I'm sure I'll see you out there this summer. Let me know if you end up doing any of the local LI/NJ brevets this spring.

[Jeffrey Kane]

Thomas + John,

Ha, no doubt 650b rigs with fenders stick out like sore thumbs in a sea of carbon when ridden or racked anywhere between the GWB, Piermont and Nyack -- I'd love to hook up with you guys as the weather turns friendly!

lmk/jsk

[Arvi S.]

Such a cool bike! Is that lighting wire temporary, or the best solution possible on this frame? In the pics on the crust site, I thought I saw a reinforced hole in the fork for running the wire inside the fork blade, but maybe not

[Justin Schoop]

There are holes through the drive side fork blade to route the wires.

[mitch....@gmail.com]

On Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 8:01:11 AM UTC-7, Thomas Hassler wrote:

...

• My frame isn't TA on the front, so there is a little pull on the fork when braking heavily on a downhill. Nothing that is major, but just a slight lean if on really steep roads, particularly when loaded up on the front. That said, I had this on my Rawland as well, so not Crust specific...

Why would braking pull back more on a QR disc brake fork blade than a TA fork blade? I get there are various advantages to a TA fork but the amount of pull-back during braking seems determined by the leg/blade stiffness(?). Maybe the idea is that TA drops hold the axle more square and prevent the braking side from pulling unevenly.  

--Mitch 

[satanas]

The theory is that the TA transfers forces between the blades better, so there's less independent leg movement. It certainly works with suspension forks, and Hahn Rossman has suggested it works with steel disc forks too, hence the new Compass TA/Son SL dropouts.

Later,
Stephen

[Nicholas Tingey]

I have not noticed any pull on my frame. My previous frame had this problem and it was a QR disk fork.

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[mitch....@gmail.com]

On Monday, February 5, 2018 at 2:46:03 PM UTC-7, satanas wrote:

The theory is that the TA transfers forces between the blades better, so there's less independent leg movement. It certainly works with suspension forks, and Hahn Rossman has suggested it works with steel disc forks too, hence the new Compass TA/Son SL dropouts.

Thanks. Good to know. 

I haven't felt any uneven pull on the QR Romanceur fork despite a lot of strong braking during canyon descents for switchbacks. 

I'm in the process of another disc build, also with a QR fork, so I'll be on the watch for it.

--Mitch  

[Robert Keal]

John (and others),

Hopefully I didn't miss this earlier in the thread, but I'm curious as to the weight of your built LBs and whether you're finding the tubing to be flexy/stiff/etc. If you'd include rider size in your responses, that'd be great. If any Dreamer owners are out there, please feel free to answer as well, offline if preferred.

Bob K. in Baltimore

[Derek Z]

John,

Wondering how wide the Compass BSP measure on the Blunt SS rims? I'm considering a build with the same frameset and rims and wondering if I can get away with Compass SBH (48mm) or if I'll have to drop down to the BSP...

Thanks,

Derek

[Sukho Goff]

From Nicholas T above:

[Sukho Goff]

From Thomas H:

"just tried a pair of Burts in the frame and it clears the fork but not the rear stays. SBH were juuuust small enough. Can only fit fenders with 42mm as well."

Man,from the reviews on this thread I'm seriously tempted on this frame. But boy I wish it could do SBH's and fenders. Or Thunderburts without. I guess it's time to call John Fitz lol

Sukho in PDX

[Nicholas Tingey]

I swapped to byways and am much happier with the fit. I loved the compass tires but prefer the byways for their better traction in loose corners. 

Currently fenderless while touring japan. You can see more pics and a time lapse of rinkoing on my IG: heyitsnickt 

[Paul Jackson]

Great looking build!  What rack is that?  Did you make all three bags?

[Paul Jackson]

It appears to be a Specialized Pizza Rack.

[C. Sharp]

Hey John,

Noticed you smoking some guy on a carbon Specialized on 9W in Alpine last Saturday. Saw the Crust as we passed and my head snapped over in your direction — looking good!

Cameron
Brooklyn

[Nicholas Tingey]

Front rack is a pizza rack, rear is a nitto mark. Yeah, I made all the bags myself.

[Sukho Goff]

Hi Thomas, I keep reading your review below and man does it make me salivate for this frame. Particularly the part about "sublime ride quality, snappy rear end (I'm getting kind of tired of touring geos on "gravel" frames), lighter, more agile, and accelerates and keeps a good speed with little effort" You are describing the Dream Bike there. If I get a LB, you should probably get a commission lol.

Not that you would know, but you mention sizing up on this frame. I'm 5'8" but shorter legs (about 30" PBH) do you think I'd be ok on a medium? I usually ride 54-55 top tubes; the small is a 54 ETT.

BTW I really enjoyed your article in the latest BQ; probably one of my favorite BQ articles so far. I commented to Jan on his blog how BQ is even better when showcasing other's voices other than his own for a more diverse perspective. Your article is proof that I was right LOL.

Sukho in PDX 

On Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 7:01:11 AM UTC-8, Thomas Hassler wrote:

Hi Justin,

I've had my proto-lightning frame since September and am in love. A few points below that I like about it v.s all my other bikes I've had.

• Ride quality is sublime. It's a lightweight touring/randonneuring frame with a tight rear-end which makes it snappy and fast on the road, and the low-trail front end is perfect for riding both with and without bags.
• Originally I had WTB horizons on it, which fit fine, but I wanted fenders, so went down to BSP tubeless. This enhanced the ride further. Bike is solid with large tires, but the 42mm really make it feel like a road bike vs a cushy touring bike, and I think I'll stick to the 42mm even tho I could fit the SBH.
• My clear coat has held up wonderfully both on long adventures where bags and racks have been rubbing/mounted, and even after a pretty nasty NYC winter so far with lots of snow and salt and moisture on the roads.
• I'm 6'2 and ride the 61 square frame, which fits more like a 58cm frame. I run a 100mm stem and feel it's just perfect. This bike is better suited to a shorter stem than a road bike. Both due to the low trail and to the geometry of the front end.

• My frame isn't TA on the front, so there is a little pull on the fork when braking heavily on a downhill. Nothing that is major, but just a slight lean if on really steep roads, particularly when loaded up on the front. That said, I had this on my Rawland as well, so not Crust specific.

• This frame is like the reinvented Romanceur. It's lighter, more agile, and is better suited to road riding as a main surface. I've done a ton of stupid shit on single track/off road riding and it performs just as well, but this thing loves to climb, and descends really spectacularly on pavement. 
• I think the most surprising thing is how well this bike accelerates and keeps a good speed with little effort. My Rawland was sluggish and slow on the road, whereas this feels like a classic steel frame build for speed while running larger tires. 

Happy to answer other questions you might have. A little different tubing and specs on the production version compared to mine, but I reckon they will be quite similar in feel. Same geo. 

Thomas

NYC

[Joe Bernard]

Does anybody here in the 5'-7" range ride a Lightning Bolt? I have a 79ish PBH, 71" SH, and ride a 55cm Cheviot with pullback bars. I generally size up to get that stretch to pullbacks, but don't want to overshoot with drops on this one, so I'm leaning towards the Small with 53.5 virtual toptube. Does that sound right or do I need a Medium?

Joe Bernard
Novato CA.

[Joseph Bernard]

Oh, the Small is 54 TT, not 53.5. I think I answered my own question. 

[John Guild]

Fwiw, I sized up and went with the the XL, SH is 79.5~80cm. I use a shorter stem on the bike, and love the way it handles.

Easily my favorite bike I’ve owned.

[Joseph Bernard]

John: I seem to fall right in the middle of the sizes, so both could work with maybe a stem swap down the road if that needs to be fine-tuned. I normally size up Riv-style for the city bars I usually ride, but I really want to stick with the 'dropbar road bike' vibe with this so I went Small. It should be here by the end of next week..I can't wait!

Joe Bernard

Novato CA. 

On Thu, Apr 5, 2018, 8:18 PM John Guild <jpg...@gmail.com> wrote:

Fwiw, I sized up and went with the the XL, SH is 79.5~80cm. I use a shorter stem on the bike, and love the way it handles.

Easily my favorite bike I’ve owned.

[Sukho Goff]

Hmm just came across this full build that Crust was selling. Switchback Hills and Honjo fenders.

https://crustbikes.com/products/lightning-bolt-3/

Looks tight, but still...

Sukho in PDX

[mitch....@gmail.com]

That's a great build. And nice to see the Lightning Bolt on SBH with fenders. That was the piece I was looking for.

May have missed it, but anybody have the details on the very cool finish. I'm assuming it's a bluing process of some kind, plus PC clear coat. Anybody know? 

Finish and color shouldn't be such a big deal, and naked finishes are nothing new. But fillet brazed plus this finish that makes the brass and steel visible seems like a whole new way of looking at a steel bike. 

Probably in a minority but I would want to put downtube shifter on this bike and would miss the bosses. 

Okay I guess, because I'm between sizes on this one, and couldn't see a way to make either work. 

--Mitch

[mitch....@gmail.com]

On Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 5:39:03 PM UTC-6, Derek Z wrote:

John,

Wondering how wide the Compass BSP measure on the Blunt SS rims? I'm considering a build with the same frameset and rims and wondering if I can get away with Compass SBH (48mm) or if I'll have to drop down to the BSP...

Hope this helps, but BSPs on 28mm outer width Pacenti LT28s was a very good combination, not at all too wide a rim for it, and I wouldn't hesitate to put BSPs on Blunt SS. A similar comparison is the Naches Pass on Pacenti DL31 with 31mm outer diameter. The production Naches Pass is similar to the BSP in width--40mm wide on narrow rims (24mm outer width). The same NP tire is 43mm on the 31mm rim, and looks like a natural combination with good contact patch shape. 

--Mitch 

[James Stewart]

There is a complete build that had been sold on Crust's website that shows a LB with fenders and 48s..https://crustbikes.com/products/lightning-bolt-3/

[Joe Bernard]

Brompton has been doing the 'clear over welds' thing for a few years..

https://portapedalbike.com/catalog/brompton-2018-m6r-12-gearing-all-raw-lacquer/

..and now has something called black lacquer..

https://portapedalbike.com/catalog/brompton-2018-black-edition-m6r-12-gearing-all-black-lacquer/

..which seems to be a black version of Crust's green. I don't know how they do it, but it sure is cool!

[Eric Nichols]

Looks to me like a tinted clearcoat. It’s possible to blend a variety of hues into clear.

Eric

[Adam Paiva]

When is BQ going to do a Crust review ?

also that black lacquer finish is really cool.

[Nicholas Tingey]

Probably never. Matt said in his PLP interview that he wouldn’t send a bike to reviewers that charge. BQ def charges for its reviews.

On Fri, Apr 6, 2018 at 1:46 PM Adam Paiva <adam....@gmail.com> wrote:

When is BQ going to do a Crust review ?

also that black lacquer finish is really cool.

--

[Jan Heine]

I was very surprised to read that BQ supposedly "charges for its reviews." We had a good laugh at the office. Somebody said: "How come we never see all that money?"

I doubt that is what Matt said - we've been in touch on and off, but a bike test hasn't come together yet. Hopefully soon. Or perhaps it was intended as a joke?

Just for the record, Bicycle Quarterly does not charge for reviews, never has, and never will. We do ask the builder to ship the bike to us and pay for return shipping. They use their FedEx/UPS account, so they don't even reimburse us. We do put a little wear and tear on the bike during our testing. That is the extent of the cost for the builder. Many of the small builders actually send us a customer's bike, because they don't have a budget to send us a new bike just for the test.

We even make sure we don't ask builders or manufacturers who send us bikes for review whether they want to advertise in BQ, lest they think that it's a quid-pro-quo that will get them a better review. Our test reports are known for their honesty. If we charged for them, the companies would expect a sugar-coated review... As it is, we have a hard enough time getting bikes for testing, because most bike companies prefer media outlets that are known for loving everything they test (whether it's in return for payment or just to retain their access to test bikes and schwag). It takes quite a bit of work to persuade them that an honest review from a credible source will sell more bikes, even if we find some points that could be improved. And in the best cases, the builders work with us to improve their bikes...

Jan Heine

Editor

Bicycle Quarterly

www.bikequarterly.com

[Joseph Bernard]

I've only seen the first few minutes of that interview (so far) and didn't hear the "charge" comment, but the one thing I picked up right away is a whole lotta laughter and sarcasm from both host and answerer. I presume the test bike comment was a joke. 

[Joe Bernard]

Ah, upon further review Nicholas quoted Matt about paid tests in general. It was Nicholas who claimed BG charges, not Matt.

[Jan Heine]

Thinking about it, the absurdity of the claim (and the inclusion of the word the 'definitely') suggests that the comment probably was intended as humor by Nicholas. It did have the intended effect at the BQ offices. ;-) So no offense taken, and hopefully, we'll get to test a Crust soon.

Have a nice weekend, everybody, hope you'll get a great ride in!

Jan Heine

Editor

Bicycle Quarterly

www.bikequarterly.com

[Joseph Bernard]

Everybody's a comedian on the internet ;-)

--

[Nicholas Tingey]

No, not a comedian just an idiot who doesn't know what he is talking about! I apologize for making such a bold assumption. I went back & re-listened to that part of the interview. Matt mentions he reached out to a few companies but they wanted money to do a review. I don't know why but I thought he named a few companies that he reached out to. He did not. I sincerely apologize to both Matt & the BQ staff. 

I'm a big fan of BQ and love reading the bike reviews. You spend a lot of time and miles on each bike & give a thorough well thought out review. I especially love that you're not afraid to critique the bikes design or parts selected.  I think because of the amount of time you spend on each bike, you must be getting some money from the maker. I thought wrong! 

With that said, I would love to see BQ review the Lightening Bolt! I have just returned from riding mine around Japan for 2 weeks & I think it is the perfect bike. I would love to hear what BQ thinks about this bike & would really love to hear what they don't like about it. As of right now, I can't find a single thing to dislike about it. 

[Jan Heine]

No worries, and thanks for apologizing. BQ is financed by subscribers, that is why we can be honest in our reviews. We spend a lot of time on the test bikes because we love riding, and because we feel that it takes a while to dial into a bike. With just four magazines a year, I still get to ride my own bikes enough, though.

We'll work on getting a Crust Lightning Bolt for testing. Hope you had fun in Japan. Can't wait to get back there for some of those amazing mountain roads!

Jan Heine

Editor

Bicycle Quarterly

www.bikequarterly.com

[Joseph Bernard]

Personally, if I paid you to test my bike I would demand my money back. Most of those tests include long dissertations on what went wrong, followed by the builder explaining how they fixed it. Yikes! ;-)

Joe Bernard

Novato CA. 

[Sukho Goff]

I'm sure I speak for a lot of folks interested in the Lightning Bolt when I say it would be AWESOME if BQ reviewed this bike. I truly don't think there is a production frame out there currently (with higher end tubing, snappy road geometry and tire clearances) then this frame at this price point. (Believe me- I have a spreadsheet :-)  And as evidence from the comments from LB owners on this thread, the ride quality is the cherry on top.

I know it's been said before, but it is truly impressive what Crust has been able to accomplish in terms of design, execution (and delivery) in bringing well thought out, bad-ass bikes to market.

Sukho in PDX

[Joseph Bernard]

Mine should be here in a week. I can't wait!

[Alex Wetmore]

Elephant NFE is about the same price point, similar tubing specs (both are 8/5/8 OS), and fits larger tires.  It is also made in the US vs Taiwan.

I think they are both cool bikes, and if BQ gets one to test hopefully I'll get to see it in person.

I do wonder how that clear powdercoat will hold up after a few years.  Previous tests doing that from companies like Riv haven't gone that well.  Maybe Crust got a powdercoater who figured out how to dial this in.

alex

---

From: 65...@googlegroups.com <65...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Sukho Goff <svibools...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, April 9, 2018 4:09:27 PM
To: 650b
Subject: Re: [650B] Re: Review of Crust Lightning Bolt

 

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[Joseph Bernard]

Those raw finish Bromptons seem to be holding up well. I presume Matt is using whatever that process is. 

[Sukho Goff]

And then there's this.

https://youtu.be/6WUP_7SDmQQ

All kinds of awesome.

Sukho in PDX

[Joseph Bernard]

That's awesome!

[Greg Achtem]

Instant classic. I wonder if Jambi Jambi has ever been riding with Jotul?

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[Sukho Goff]

That is exactly how I imagine myself riding that bike.

Sukho in PDX

[Steven Frederick]

Kind of a lot of sidewalk surfin' in there.  Maybe that's the way to do it in Australia...

Steve

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[p k]

Not sure where in Australia, but if so that makes sense. When I was in Sydney there was a lot of crazy driving, especially from the truck drivers. The road lanes are also more narrow than american lanes. Also a bit lacking in bicycle infrastructure. Not sure how it is outside of Sydney though.

On Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 7:41:39 AM UTC-4, Stevef wrote:

Kind of a lot of sidewalk surfin' in there.  Maybe that's the way to do it in Australia...

Steve

On Tue, Apr 10, 2018 at 7:09 PM, Sukho Goff <svibools...@gmail.com> wrote:

And then there's this.

https://youtu.be/6WUP_7SDmQQ

All kinds of awesome.

Sukho in PDX

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[Justin Schoop]

Since I started the thread and have had my LB built up and have been riding it for a while I thought I would share my reactions thus far... 

I LOVE it. The bike is super smooth, accelerates well, climbs like a goat, keeps speed and just feels awesome. It's not sluggish at all and is a joy to ride. My build is very standard to other LB's that are on the list. 

Build List:

Crust Lightning Bolt XL

Crust Stem

Salsa Woodchipper Handlebars

Sram Rival 1x

White Industries Crank, headset, rear hub

Schmidt front

TRP Spyre SLC brakes

WTB KOM rims with WTB Horizons tubeless

Nitto Mark's Rack

Sinewave Beacon 

Relevate and Swift Bags

On Monday, January 22, 2018 at 11:24:08 AM UTC-5, Justin Schoop wrote:

Thinking about purchasing one of these frames and am just curious about ride quality, feel, etc. I know they are relatively new, but would love to hear from people that have built one up. I'd be ordering an XL. Thanks!

Justin

[Alex Wetmore]

Brompton is using a clear lacquer, and I thought Crust was using a powdercoat.  I could be wrong.

alex

---

From: Joseph Bernard <joer...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, April 9, 2018 7:54:52 PM
To: Alex Wetmore
Cc: Sukho Goff; 650b

[Joseph Bernard]

Ah, I think you're right. I don't understand any of these processes so I'm probably confusing them. 

[Thomas Hassler]

Hi Sukho,

Thanks for the comments on the article. I'm stoked people liked it and I hope it motivates others to do the rally. It's such a remarkable experience.

The LB is a dream. Matt killed it on this one. All his bikes ATMO are fun to ride, but this if my fav for sure. Also, my geo is slightly different from the production frames so it's not a great indicator on what sizing would be good for others, but they do feel true, and I'd say go with what you're used to, i.e., if a 54TT is your preferred fit, go with that. The medium has a significantly larger head tube, so that will play into it as well. Depends if you want to be more upright or more aggressive. 

Hope that helps a bit. 

Thomas

NYC

On Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 7:36:36 PM UTC-4, Sukho Goff wrote:

Hi Thomas, I keep reading your review below and man does it make me salivate for this frame. Particularly the part about "sublime ride quality, snappy rear end (I'm getting kind of tired of touring geos on "gravel" frames), lighter, more agile, and accelerates and keeps a good speed with little effort" You are describing the Dream Bike there. If I get a LB, you should probably get a commission lol.

Not that you would know, but you mention sizing up on this frame. I'm 5'8" but shorter legs (about 30" PBH) do you think I'd be ok on a medium? I usually ride 54-55 top tubes; the small is a 54 ETT.

BTW I really enjoyed your article in the latest BQ; probably one of my favorite BQ articles so far. I commented to Jan on his blog how BQ is even better when showcasing other's voices other than his own for a more diverse perspective. Your article is proof that I was right LOL.

Sukho in PDX 

On Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 7:01:11 AM UTC-8, Thomas Hassler wrote:

Hi Justin,

I've had my proto-lightning frame since September and am in love. A few points below that I like about it v.s all my other bikes I've had.

• Ride quality is sublime. It's a lightweight touring/randonneuring frame with a tight rear-end which makes it snappy and fast on the road, and the low-trail front end is perfect for riding both with and without bags.
• Originally I had WTB horizons on it, which fit fine, but I wanted fenders, so went down to BSP tubeless. This enhanced the ride further. Bike is solid with large tires, but the 42mm really make it feel like a road bike vs a cushy touring bike, and I think I'll stick to the 42mm even tho I could fit the SBH.
• My clear coat has held up wonderfully both on long adventures where bags and racks have been rubbing/mounted, and even after a pretty nasty NYC winter so far with lots of snow and salt and moisture on the roads.
• I'm 6'2 and ride the 61 square frame, which fits more like a 58cm frame. I run a 100mm stem and feel it's just perfect. This bike is better suited to a shorter stem than a road bike. Both due to the low trail and to the geometry of the front end.
• My frame isn't TA on the front, so there is a little pull on the fork when braking heavily on a downhill. Nothing that is major, but just a slight lean if on really steep roads, particularly when loaded up on the front. That said, I had this on my Rawland as well, so not Crust specific.
• This frame is like the reinvented Romanceur. It's lighter, more agile, and is better suited to road riding as a main surface. I've done a ton of stupid shit on single track/off road riding and it performs just as well, but this thing loves to climb, and descends really spectacularly on pavement. 
• I think the most surprising thing is how well this bike accelerates and keeps a good speed with little effort. My Rawland was sluggish and slow on the road, whereas this feels like a classic steel frame build for speed while running larger tires. 

Happy to answer other questions you might have. A little different tubing and specs on the production version compared to mine, but I reckon they will be quite similar in feel. Same geo. 

Thomas

NYC

[Sven-Olof Johansson]

Hello,

Those of you that have had opportunity to take a closer look at the Lightning Bolt, would you happen to know if the clear coat is covering the logo/decals, or if it would be possible to remove them?
Everything I've heard about the bike sounds good so far, but I'm not sure that I like the graphics :)

Cheers,

/s-o

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[Derek Z]

Sven,
I have not seen a LB in person but the decals look like they are under the clear coat.
I have a bike which had a downtube and headtube decal I didn’t care for- I masked them off with painters tape, gave the ares a light sanding then rattle can primed the areas followed by a rattle can spray that slightly contrasts the frame’s color. I now have a subtle panel on the DT and a subtle vertical rectangle on the HT. It’s held up fine for years and I much prefer it to the original decals. Then again, I come from the Ray Jardine school of removing logos from my clothing - I also remove logos from my bikes components whenever possible with a Q-tip dipped in paint stripper.
Happy modifying,
Derek

[Joseph Bernard]

Interesting idea, but be REAL sure you're never going to sell your LB before doing something like this. 

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[Derek Z]

If you'd rather not commit to painting, you can order a solid color vinyl bumper sticker online in most any color and create a reversible panel that way...

[mitch....@gmail.com]

On Monday, April 16, 2018 at 7:56:16 AM UTC-6, Sven-Olof Johansson wrote:

Hello,

Those of you that have had opportunity to take a closer look at the Lightning Bolt, would you happen to know if the clear coat is covering the logo/decals, or if it would be possible to remove them?
Everything I've heard about the bike sounds good so far, but I'm not sure that I like the graphics :)

Not sure how the prep compares among Crust's various models, but the down tube decal on my version one 2016 Romanceur has been lifting up where the bike rack jaw grips it. The decals looked clear-coated but these are clearly not if one can lift up this way. (My own fault of course for the rack jaw treatment.)

You might find the Crust graphics more acceptable than you expect. I was not looking forward to the orange-on-silver look of the V1 graphics but in person it was more subtle than I expected and I will be sorry to see it go if it continues to lift. I also have a V2 yellow Romanceur in the family fleet and its post-hippie graphic style is also more subtle in person than expected, and generally more modest than loud. The LB's graphics are even more modest than the Romanceur--it's the brassy bright fillets that pop. 

But I should admit the Crust graphic style has grown on me, and I recently ordered a packet of Crust stickers. Not to put on a bike, but I find that the Crust graphics remind me I'm not racing anymore and that the point is to wander and have fun.

My experience with Crust's superb customer service, timely delivery, clear communication, and above all, exacting bike prep and alignment, has taught me that Crust is serious about all the right things and none of the wrong things.

--Mitch (no connection to Crust)

[Stephen Poole]

The stickers on the Scapegoat are even more subtle, black on dark red; I didn't realise there were any until I unpacked the frame.

+1 on Crust's helpfulness - I can't  imagine better.  ;-)

Later,

Stephen

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[Joe Bernard]

I just got my LB and I'm fairly certain the decals are under the clearcoat.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/O2cHyydmZRpNIHos1