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My Benz
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April 23, 2003 |
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These photos show the basic frame with the offset fork at various angles
of view. While I ordered both the offset fork and the mono, I will initially
build the bike with the offset. I do, however, plan to do some mods to it
(offset fork), with the intent to try to make the bike lower. Also
considering doing mods to rear dropouts for same purpose (more on this
later). Also shown is the seat, which I also ordered. The weight of the
basic frame, including the nosepiece is right on at 2000 grams, which is
less than advertised. The weight of the seat is 950 grams with attachments
for a total of 2950 grams, or 6.5 pounds. This right now is less than my
Baron Clone, and much less than the M5 Carbon. I have intentions of
fabricating my own seat and have confidence that I can maintain 500 grams,
for a total of 2500 grams (5.51 pounds). This has great promise for a bike
with a total weight of less than 20 pounds. |
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These photos show the frame with the mono fork at various views. Also
shown is the tiller/handlebar. Very nice, and light at 260 grams. Hopefully
there will not be any knee interference, as it does not have the ability to
telescope. I will initially use this system, but at a later date I would
like to build a superman type system, used on the RazzFazz bikes. |
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Shown is the frame with the seat and with a stock LOOK Carbon 700 fork. I
had intentions of modifying this fork in the same manner as I did with the
650 fork used on my Baron Clone. The advantages are lightness and the front
of the bike can lowered making it more like the Baron or Jester. The
disadvantage is chain line interference. |
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Shown are details of the frame with the offset and mono forks. I ordered
the front nosepiece not bonded to the frame. I plan to fabricate a clamp,
similar to that made for my Baron Clone, as I wanted the ability to adjust
the length of the boom. I believe this is a desirable option. |
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Shown are views of the stock seat, which I ordered with the frame. Note
that in these photos I did not secure it so a gap may be visible between
seat and frame. An ingenious feature of the frame is that it is relatively
flat at the seat/frame intersection. Inserts are molded into the frame so
that the seat can be fastened securely without the use of heavy brackets……a
weight saving. Only time and use will tell if this method is strong enough!
As mentioned previously, this seat weighs 950 grams (2.1 pounds), which is
on the heavy side when compared with others on the market. It is, however,
wider than the stock Optima (large) seat, which is shown in the photo. The
curvature is roughly the same. The stock Optima seat weighs 535 grams. I
still plan to build a seat more along the lines of the RazzFazz and hope to
come in at less than 500 grams. At the same time I will redesign my
headrest. All of the above (new seat, headrest and bracketless securing
method) will reduce the weight of the seat system that I am now using on my
Baron Clone by approximately 1.5 pounds. |
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Shown are details of the offset fork. The quality of this fork is not as
good as that of the mono, which is deadly sexy. The weight of this fork is
565 grams, not super light, but will get me on the road faster. I am,
however, contemplating some mods, which includes removing carbon at the top
of the fork so that the front end of the bike will sit lower, and would be
more in line with current lowracers. This will be more evident in the next
two photos. |
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I think I can safely remove 1.25 inches of carbon at the top of the fork,
and replace with an aluminum insert. In doing so, I will change the lower
headset bearing to 1 1/8 inch, while retaining a 1 inch bearing (stock on
this fork) on the top. I think this can be easily done. |
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Shown in these photos is the Velokraft monocraft monofork. A very lovely
piece of engineering! The weight is 490 grams (uncut) and is based on a 1
1/8-inch steerer tube. It is slightly lighter than the offset, but probably
ultimately cause a weight increase, as a hub brake must be used. This fork
would not allow modification as in the offset because of the carbon buildup
at the top. See frontal view. Will keep this in my bin for a future use,
which is at this time undefined. |
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Shown are photos of the tiller/handlebar assembly. Also a very nice piece
of engineering……. And light at 260 grams. Actually, lighter by some 60 grams
than my reworked and modified system used on my Baron Clone. Some mods may
be necessary, as I don't (at this time) know how to preset the correct
loading on the headset bearings. Also, it does not have the ability to
change the length, as in a telescoping tiller bar. Hopefully, I will not
have knee interference. As mentioned before, I eventually want to go to a
"superman" type arrangement, but that will take more time and I want to get
this bike on the road. |
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A detail of the nosepiece, but the weight was not recorded because it is
combined with the basic frame weight. |
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A photo of the idler. Very simple in design. Weight is 120 grams and
could be lighter with a titanium bolt and a carbon keeper in lieu of
Plexiglas (or Lexan?) |
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