Alchemy’s ORC-UL rear hub has been out on the market for a few weeks now and we, like a few other custom wheel builders, are completing our first builds with them. Our initial impression was based on an early custom prototype made for a customer who’s extremely hard on wheels. We were impressed with how well it worked with the super-clydesdale specs of that wheelset. And then more recently we were delighted to receive our much-anticipated shipment of production hubs, and got going lacing them to some of our favorite rims. They are proving to be beautifully made, spinning very nice and smooth, with excellent non-drive side tension. We pulled one apart and took photos to give you an idea of what the new ORC-UL is about. But first we have new on the Campy release schedule, or lack thereof.
Alchemy’s ORC-UL Campagnolo Freehub Body
Alchemy has postponed the release of the Campagnolo 11 speed ORC-UL hub. At the very earliest the new release date is December 2013. According to Alchemy this is due to a couple of new developments. For one thing, the intense demand for this Shimano 10/11sp version of the ORC-UL has demanded significantly more time than expected. Also Alchemy has found a solution for Campagnolo drive trains that they say works perfectly.
Here’s the email we received from Alchemy on the matter. Read more
The look of our latest Parlee Z5 custom bike builds reminds me of the classic bike builds I grew up lusting over, after it underwent a modern high performance evolution. The clean traditional lines with classic box section rims accompanies components that I could only dream of as a kid. Behind the EE brakes and Clavicula cranks lies some of the most advanced manufacturing and engineering in the industry. With the bike heading off to live in the Colorado Rockies, the priorities are to be light on the climbs and steady on the downhills. We looked to make something capable of floating up every upward pitch, and could tame every switchback that climbs and descends the land of beautiful Colorado peaks. Read more
Over the last weekend CyclingNews reported on one of our old projects, the worlds lightest bike. This now seems like a good time for us to revisit this project as well. It also seems like a good time to mention that this project is the inspiration for two of our upcoming Interbike projects. No, we’re not going to make a lighter bike, as there doesn’t seem a point since this is still the current record holder. We will however be offering two new projects both with an eye on total weight, yet keeping with a more generally accepted idea of all around use. Read more
It’s April, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start thinking about ‘cross. In fact we’re getting CX bikes ready for both those that are well prepared and those that can’t stay off of dirt roads no matter what time of year it is. I believe this cross bike belongs to the later a machine that is perfect for the race coarse that will more than likely see many more miles exploring back country roads and the occasional piece of single track winding through the forest. Read more
It’s funny what goes viral on Facebook, Tune Carbon Coffee Cups. $240 for the set. Email for details.
Several years ago I had a Scott CR1, which at the time was my favorite frame. During some pulley wheel testing, a mishap led to the destruction of the frame. Considered destroyed because of it’s non-replaceable hanger. Also destroyed were the derailleur and rear Lightweight. Being a favorite frame of mine it didn’t get recycled but rather just hung up in the rafters as a memory. Some years later it we decided to pull the frame down and breath some new life into. It was sent off to a friend and custom carbon frame builder, Bre Ruegamer. The non-removable hanger/dropout combo was removed and replaced with custom machined horizontal dropouts. At the same time the rear end of the frame was re-spaced to narrow it by 10mm so it would accept a 120mm fixed gear hub. Then the frame, fork and stem were stripped and repainted with matte black. It was rebuilt without having an eye on choosing lightweight parts and finished weight is just over 12 pounds. Read more
We’ve started publishing a weekly update with some of the better images and articles we’ve seen around the web. Here’s volume two for March 4th-8th. It was a big week as we found the last to be published indepth NAHBS articles and the warmer weather has been bringing us a lot of amazing images.
Cédric Gracia getting it done with style…
We’re going to start a little segment where we take a look back at what went on during the previous week. This was a last minute decision and I’ll be making sure to bookmark more for you next week. In the meantime take a look at what’s been going on on our Facebook page, Jason’s (MadCow), our Pinterest page and of course our blog. Enjoy and let us know if we’ve missed anything important.
Trying to capture the Parts of Passion seatpost.
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With the 2012 Parlee Z5 SLi on sale and the 2013 Z5i now in stock we’ve been moving ahead building up a gaggle of new bikes. This got me thinking about all the completed bikes I haven’t posted yet. I decided to start with a not so recent SL Road build we worked on with Nick from Crumpton Cycles. Cutting-edge thoroughbred builds like this are my favorite, a bike I’d gladly race — ideally set up too light for the UCI 6.8kg rule like this one.
Nothing tops a handmade frame built by a master. Attempting to keep the magic happening, a few other standout features on here are the forged Praxis Rings on the THM M3 cranks. The Praxis rings may not topple the weight weenie contenders but they do shift better than any other aftermarket ring set I’ve ridden — on par with the best offerings from Campagnolo and Shimano. This combo with the M3 cranks is a perfect marriage and THM now specs these as their stock chainrings on their cranks. These exotic beauties in the matte finish look great with this frame.
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