June 16th, 2008
Swinger
Ordering a custom frame gives me the chance to put money where mouth is regarding what I see as the ideal solution to niggling problems. Like how to acommodate different ratios - my developed gear inches get smaller every year - and chain growth on the new singlespeed. Ordinarily I’d choose horizontal dropouts. Up to now it’s been a no brainer.
But I’m going for a rear disc this time. I’ve heard lots of complains about the faff involved with horizontal dropouts and slotted disk mounts, and I know people who have to unbolt calipers to fix punctures. There’s no way I want to be out there in the cold and rain losing my caliper spacers in the mud. Something more elegant is needed.
EBB?
Too many years experience with one on the tandem to want that creaking and faff and yes, dammit, weight, on a bike that doesn’t actually need one. Memories of Brant Richards doing a warranty job on a Tinbred at SITS some years back also puts me off.
Sliding dropouts?
I don’t see any point in ordering a custom frame and beating it half-dead with the Fugly Stick before it even gets a coat of paint.
Swinger?
Black Cat Bicycles ’swinger’ dropout
This looks more like it. Not totally unrelated to a sliding dropout but done with a lot more style. Designed by Todd Ingermanson at Black Cat Bicycles and made by Super Rat Machine these are actually recommended by the builder. I’m paying the extra dollars.
Thanks to dr j0n for bringing these to my attention back in January.
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June 16th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
ifrider.com has some lovely (and horrible) paintjobs from indy fab factory, i particularly like the purple of the piss offs
June 16th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I don’t remember that Nick (but of course that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen).
Ah - actually I do remember now - SITS. Yes. That one near Birmingham. That Welsh bloke with the big spliffs…
So Swingers eh? How do they stop the rearward movement that sharp braking would generate, moving the dropout backward on the disc side?
June 17th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Well, hopefully the bolts that hold the dropout in place will be at least as secure as the bolts that currently hold my hub in place.
Secondly - and I realise that this is specific to me - I’m not a big rear brake user. A little dragging into corners motorbike style, but if there’s enough traction to be creating sharp braking forces I’ll be getting most of my braking from the front, with the rear wheel just kissing or leaving the ground.