My Frank Jones Sr is finally where I want it

[Arthur Mayfield]

After innumerable changes, I’m finally happy with the way FJ is set up (yeah, I know). I have a Sam (caliper brakes) I need to devote some attention to, and I’m still modding my old Bianchi Milano after 23 years, lol. The FJ is a wonderful, simple, speedy frame, and after kitting it out with various wheel and tire combinations, single and double gearing, racks, bags, bells, and other assorted junk (for this bike, not all), I’m down to the minimal approach. Rims and hubs are VO, DT Swiss spokes, Soma tires, PDW fenders (the best, truly), Tektro brakes, VO cranks, WI ENO freewheel, Nitto stem and bars, Brooks saddle, and VO bag. Zoom-zoom!

 

[Jason Fuller]

Looks awesome!  I love the Frank Jones Sr - and dream of building one up with Sturmey drum brake hubs, 3spd - I think this is the only caliper brake SS bike from Riv (correct me if I'm wrong!) so it's the ideal candidate... 

[Arthur Mayfield]

I do believe you’re correct, at least I’ve never heard of one. I’ve considered building up a Sturmey-hubbed 3spd wheel for my FJ, but finding a nice 120mm OLD hub has been frustrating. Still keeping an eye out for one, though.

[nlerner]

On Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 12:45:51 AM UTC-5 Arthur Mayfield wrote:

I do believe you’re correct, at least I’ve never heard of one. I’ve considered building up a Sturmey-hubbed 3spd wheel for my FJ, but finding a nice 120mm OLD hub has been frustrating. Still keeping an eye out for one, though.

Hi, no need for a new hub. You can swap in a 6 1/4” axle (Sturmey part # HSA.108) on any AW hub and fit it to a frame with a 120mm rear end. You usually do also need a bit longer indicator to make up for the longer spindle. Here’s an axle for sale (not mine, just the result of a Google search):

https://www.hoopriderparts.com/product/sturmey-archer-hsa107-hsa108-axle-for-aw-ab-ag-hubs-5-34in-or-6-14in---nos 

Cheers,

Neal Lerner

Brookline MA USA

[John G.]

I've never ridden one, but on paper, I think the Frank Jones Sr is one of the best things Rivendell ever did. I would've ordered one if they'd come in larger sizes. This build is great!

[Patrick Moore]

Is it true that Grant has designed a new hillibike frame built around an IGH? And that he's designing a new "Silver" line of IHG 2 speed fixed and 3, 4, and 5 speed close, medium, and wide ratio hubs, called HilliHubs? (Or, it might be HilliHubBubs).

No, it's not true, but it's fun to imagine it.

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum

[Patrick Moore]

Oh and yes, very nice build.

[Arthur Mayfield]

Thanks, all, and thanks to nlerner—I bookmarked your link for project time…. Grant getting into IGHs would be awesome, but I haven’t seen any sign of that. He’s deeply involved in saving derailleurs from “shimanication.” Sadly (or maybe my prejudice is showing) I suspect that electrification is taking the bicycle world by overwhelming storm. OTOH, I’m getting older, so maybe a step-thru electric is in my two-wheeled future. Meanwhile I’ll hang onto my FJ single speed the way I hang onto my two seat roadster. 😉

[Patrick Kohout]

I love the style of your bike, Arthur. Which of the VO rims are you using on the bike? If you built the wheels yourself, what do you think of the build properties of the rims?

Best Wishes,

Patrick

[Jay Lonner]

At the risk of derailing the topic (pun semi-intended) the lack of IGH support on Rivs has become an issue for me. I had a Gus in my cart when they went on sale recently - my size, my color - but ultimately didn’t go through with it because I really like the Rohloff that I have on my Bike Friday. I know it’s possible to kludge it, but I’d prefer to have a bike that has the proper dropouts and brazeons to begin with. Anybody know of a maker who offers a frame with Hillibike features that’s designed to accommodate an IGH and disc brakes? The Tumbleweed Prospector and Surly Ogre come close but don’t have the long wheelbase. Riv’s designs are influential so I suppose it’s only a matter of time…

Jay Lonner

Bellingham, WA

[Arthur Mayfield]

I used VO Diagonalle (sp) rims, which I believe are discontinued. They were easy to build up and have been perfect for my (road and path) riding needs. I’ve used them before on other builds and have liked them a lot—never needed to re-true a wheel built with those rims. I guess VO has consolidated/redesigned/minimized their rim selection, so next time I buy from them will mean simpler choices and a bit of the unknown. Everyone is making their rims tubeless-compatible now. I guess those of us hanging onto tubes will have to see how that goes.

[Patrick Moore]

Speaking of IGHs generally and Rohloffs particularly -- and remaining within RBWlist canons for relevance, since we're talking about using these with Rivendell frames:

Has anyone used or heard first-hand particulars about the Kindernay hub?

Me, at this point I'm not interested in buying either Rolhoff or Kindernay, only weird old SAs, but I am very interested generally in IHG technology. (I think it one area where tech advance could serve cyclists, and not only urban utility cyclists, very well. Closer ratios with sufficient range would be a great blessing.)

Jay, have you thought of a custom frame for Riv-like geometry with IGH and discs? I know that in general a custom can accommodate odd specifications, per my 2 Matthewses (60+ mm tires + 80 mm fenders and sub 160 mm Q; 114 mm OL hub with 42 mm tires and fenders and sub 150 mm Q; not to mention all sorts of weird braze ons).

Patrick "AM, TF, TC" Moore

[Jay Lonner]

No doubt a custom is the way to go, but I’m frankly not conversant enough in bicycle geometry to approach a framebuilder and articulate my desires. I’ve owned an XO-1, Rambouillet, and Hunq over the years (still have the Hunq) and would like to check out this latest generation of long wheelbase Rivs. Part of what I like about Rivendell is that I trust Grant to do the math and come up with bikes that I enjoy riding. And it just seems cheesy to go to a framebuilder and say “make me a Gus ripoff but with Rohloff dropouts and disc tabs.” 

Stepping back, it seems like the writing is on the wall for front derailleurs. And I agree with Grant that getting caught up in the Shimano arms race of ever newer, shinier tech is just another form of planned obsolescence (my phrasing, Grant would no doubt put it differently). The Rohloff is a interesting lateral move with a lot of inherent advantages, hence my interest. Having said that, my Bike Friday is still fairly new to me, so I’m happy to explore its capabilities while the market evolves.

Jay Lonner

Bellingham, WA

Sent from my Atari 400

On Dec 30, 2021, at 8:14 AM, Patrick Moore <bert...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Patrick Moore]

A good builder can turn a description of you riding experience into a frame, though I emphasize "good builder," and one who is willing to accommodate your preferences. As to "copying," no builder is entirely self taught; Grant borrowed from others too, and discs and IGH are certainly differentiating factors.

I'm not urging, just suggesting a custom. That's how I solved a number of bicycle conundrums myself.

Patrick "5 customs to date" Moore

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/6043ED22-6135-4953-846E-A998205DA5C2%40gmail.com.