Spokes Model Dave’s New Frame

Greg — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:32:37 +0000

When it came time for Dave to pony up for a new ride he didn’t have to look further than our own builder Tom Teesdale to make his new steel beauty! See, Dave had already ridden the life out of a Scandium rig Tom built years ago. Literally, the frame finally broke but then it was a super-light race frame that was only supposed to last for a couple of years. Dave had ridden the snot out of it for a bunch of years and really liked how the frame handled. So, with a change to True Temper steel instead of the fickle Scandium, a new frame idea was hatched with some cool updates like the revised wishbone seat stay and, of course, provisions for disc brakes.

Keep ‘er here for updates as the bike comes together.

Next on the agenda a custom fork that matches the super-cool wishbone seatstay!

My Teesdale MTB Sees the Light of Day

Greg — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:26:29 +0000

I’ve had this beautiful TET frame for several years and even had most of the parts I needed to get it assembled but just never got to it. Well, with our plans to offer a Classic Teesdale Mountain Bike I figured I’d better get this one rideable for testing purposes.

Since I already have a Bontraeger that is set up pretty well for the single track I decided to set up the Teesdale as an urban assault bike / commuter rig for the time being. This is partly due to the fact that I have a sweet Teesdale fork that I had made at the same time and don’t really want to shell out the $$$ for another suspension fork. Besides, light weight is great! When I get my fitness back some I think I’ll want a rigid fork trail ride anyway. I like the precision of a rigid fork and, coupled with a nice fat front tire, the weight savings is a great bonus.

This TET frame was made with Columbus Nemo tubing while our new Classic line will use a sweet True Temper spec but the geometry is very close to what we are using on the Classic. BTW, the first 3 Classics will be available about mid-August!

This particular frame was built before disc brakes became all the rage so I used a Shimano BMX rear V-brake and paired that up with a set of old school Paul Component Engineering Stoplights that I had in the parts bin. Both ends are well balanced and remind me of how good a well set up canti or V-brake can be. Comes with a weight savings too. Nice.

The drivetrain is using Shimano XTR derailleurs from about 1997. They were new so you know they rock. Sachs twist shifters, a Profile crank, RaceFace BB and Vuelta chainrings round out the drivetrain.

A Dean ti seat post from an old race rig and, of course, a Flite saddle keep my butt off the rear tire.

I am still messing around with the stem. Right now it is a Profile BOA 120mm/20d rise but I think I may stretch it out a bit. Gotta wait for the stomach muscles to get stronger though! The handle bar is a Ritchey rise bar.

I also haven’t settled on a wheel set yet. Currently it is Sun CR-18s with XT hubs but I have a set of Cane Creek Aeroheat wheels that will probably get the final call. One thing I am pretty set on is the tire choice. As long as this is going to remain pavement-focused I am going to stick with the IRC Metro Duros in the 1.5 size. At 80PSI they roll well and still absorb some shock.

I only have about 60 or 70 miles on it but so far all the parts are playing nicely together and I am super happy with the ride. More as it comes.

Schlick Cycles » teesdale

Spokes Model Dave’s New Frame

My Teesdale MTB Sees the Light of Day