Velo Orange Rando 650b conversion

[Igor Belopolsky]

Here's my 650b VO Rando for commuter/whatever duty

https://flic.kr/p/S85it9

[Justin Hughes]

Maybe it's just a weird pic or angle and, man do I hate to be that guy. But that fork. . . . 

[Igor Belopolsky]

yeah its not a great looking fork

[Steve Palincsar]

Yes, you're a few years late, but sure, join the queue.  It was a fine frame, but the bend in the fork was thoroughly trashed on the lists and as a consequence the frame was discontinued.  Not a candle on the Johnny Coast original VO Randonneur, of course, and 28mm tires are simply not the equals of 32mm but compared to other similar frames and for what it cost, it was pretty nice and didn't deserve the hearty heapings of scorn brought on by that awkward looking fork bend.

[Justin Hughes]

Hmm. Well, I was only commenting on the fork in Igor's photo which looks quite unintentionally bent just below the crown (the usual place). 

[Jeff Bertolet]

I see what you mean, but holding a straightedge to the picture it looks straight. Something about the reflection on the fender and the black tire/fork makes it seem further to the rear than it actually is.

[Mark Guglielmana]

I was the original owner. Yep, that dog leg instead of a gentle curve although quite functional, isn't going to win any design awards. I can vouch for the quality of the frame build, however. My build had 650b x 42 Hetres on it with fenders, so I know it'll work up to that width. 

Why sell it? I have lots of bikes, and it was time to thin the herd a bit. 

[Philip Brunner]

To those who have converted to 650b, how has that worked for you from a pedal strike perspective?  My recollection is that the drop is somewhat significant (just checked geo chart on the website and it is 75mm), which I like for 700c, but concerns me for conversion purposes.  And yes, I agree it's not the prettiest fork, but it is definitely a nice frame.  I quite enjoy riding mine, but I feel like a switch to 650b would increase that enjoyment.  

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[Mark Guglielmana]

You are correct, on this particular frame it could be an issue. I'm well past the "pedal fast through corners" stage of life. I built up this frame as a platform pedal commuter at one time. My daily commute took me through an apartment parking lot with fairly tall speed bumps with gaps for bicycles. Once or twice I did scrape the pedals on the top of them while riding through the gap. 

It is something to consider for the more aggressive rider.

[Igor Belopolsky]

I had my first pedal strike yesterday with those VP pedals that Riv sells, I'll just take corners less aggressively. 

On Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 2:15:33 PM UTC-5, Mark Guglielmana wrote:

You are correct, on this particular frame it could be an issue. I'm well past the "pedal fast through corners" stage of life. I built up this frame as a platform pedal commuter at one time. My daily commute took me through an apartment parking lot with fairly tall speed bumps with gaps for bicycles. Once or twice I did scrape the pedals on the top of them while riding through the gap. 

It is something to consider for the more aggressive rider.

On Thu, Feb 23, 2017 at 11:07 AM, Philip Brunner <pdbr...@gmail.com> wrote:

To those who have converted to 650b, how has that worked for you from a pedal strike perspective?  My recollection is that the drop is somewhat significant (just checked geo chart on the website and it is 75mm), which I like for 700c, but concerns me for conversion purposes.  And yes, I agree it's not the prettiest fork, but it is definitely a nice frame.  I quite enjoy riding mine, but I feel like a switch to 650b would increase that enjoyment.  

On Thu, Feb 23, 2017 at 11:02 AM, Mark Guglielmana <mark.gug...@gmail.com> wrote:

I was the original owner. Yep, that dog leg instead of a gentle curve although quite functional, isn't going to win any design awards. I can vouch for the quality of the frame build, however. My build had 650b x 42 Hetres on it with fenders, so I know it'll work up to that width. 

Why sell it? I have lots of bikes, and it was time to thin the herd a bit. 

On Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 7:39:06 AM UTC-8, Igor Belopolsky wrote:

Here's my 650b VO Rando for commuter/whatever duty

https://flic.kr/p/S85it9

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[Philip Brunner]

OK, thanks Mark and Igor.  It sounds like It's doable, if I can be chill... seeing as this is my non-chill bike, I'm gonna keep it 700c... which now instantly makes it off-topic, so I'll move along now.  Thanks!

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[Mark Guglielmana]

Yep, I rode that same bike with clipless pedals for awhile, didn't have an issue. The wide platform pedals do eat into your cornering budget.

On Thu, Feb 23, 2017 at 11:48 AM, Igor Belopolsky <belopol...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Igor Belopolsky]

I may just opt for narrower platforms - as a commuter I dont want to be clipping in.

Took the long-out-of-the-way route home

[Mark Guglielmana]

Sweet pic!

I'm with you - with traffic and having to stop often, having your foot clipped in doesn't make sense. I'm seriously thinking about losing the clips on my touring bike for the same reason. Then it's a slippery slop to becoming a Grant-ite and joining the elfdom.

;-)

[Steve Palincsar]

clipping in and out works just fine with SPD.  I did it with SPD on my commute from 1995 to 2008.

[Igor Belopolsky]

and then i bring extra shoes or keep shoes at work? no thats not the point here

[Steve Palincsar]

Yes, bring work shoes along with work clothes. I don't care what kind
of pedals you have, there are none that work well for riding with
leather soled oxfords, not even the rubber ones Raleigh supplied with
3-speeds.

[donfu...@gmail.com]

I have a 61cm VO rondo. I am thinking about the conversion. Any room to spare when using 41 hertres? Sure looks tempting.  i have a frame building friend that could install some canti  posts, but then repainting, new fenders, wheels, tires... lot's to consider. I think I will try the 30mm Challenge Corsa Bianca tires first. 

[Mark Guglielmana]

If yours is one of the older lugged models, there's definitely room for 650b x 42's, with fenders, as that's what I was running on mine when I had it. Here it is with SOMA Cazaderos and fenders:

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[Igor Belopolsky]

I have 42mm PariMoto with fenders.