A-train Cycles

Measuring Tube Bow

Alex — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:09:33 +0000

As mentioned in my previous post I recently got a new toy at the shop. It’s a Swiss made Interapid test indicator that measures things to +/- .0005 inches. Test indicators are most commonly used to align milling vises on a mills table to ensure that the vise jaws are perfectly parallel to the tables travel. I also use this indicator to measure tube bow. All “straight” bicycle tubing have some amount of bow or bend to them along their length. In the high quality tubing I use this bow isn’t at all noticeable to the human eye, but that does not mean it shouldn’t be taken into consideration when building a custom bicycle frame. I measure the bow by placing the tube in vee blocks on my alignment table. I then use a magnetic base to position the test indicator over the center of the tube and from there I slowly spin the tube in the vee blocks, watch the dial, and mark the highest spot with my beloved blue Sharpie. Some tubes are straighter that others, most measure around .015″ bow at the tubes center. I feel that it is important to make sure the tube bows along the frames center lines. Ensuring that the bow is along the centerlines of the frame is just one extra little step we take to ensure that you end up with the straightest and best riding bike possible.

Weekly Happenings

Alex — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:14:27 +0000

Lately the frequency of my blog posts have been few and far between. It seems like I only really ever force myself to sit down and write whenever I finish a frame and have photos to share. Things are going to be changing. I am going to make a solid effort to sit down once a week (every week) and share some happening from around the workshop. Sometimes it will take the form of ranting about the latest and “greatest” bottom bracket standard but mostly it will be a few photos and a brief description of whats happening in them.

In other news my latest toy is an Interapid test indicator shown below. It’s awesome. Ultimately it will help me build you a better frame. More on this next week…

Spontaneous Photography

Alex — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:41:50 +0000

About a year ago I took the leap and upgraded my “normal” phone to the Iphone 4S. One of the biggest selling points of the Iphone was the quality and resolution of photos it was able to take. Always having a camera with me in the shop allows me to easily take spontaneous photos that wouldn’t have been taken if it meant pulling my Nikon of of it’s case. I really like the photo below. It is a picture of a touring frame right after the primer stage of paint and just before the color coat was applied. I would never be able to take and easily share photos like this without the aid of modern mobile technology.

Thanks Technology!

Another Happy Customer!

Alex — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:11:41 +0000

I always appreciate customer feedback. Sonja seems to love her new bike. For me feedback like this makes the long hour and hard work it takes to build a custom bicycle well worth it.

Here is what Sonja had to say about her new A-train:

“I’ve put nearly 200 miles on the bike this week, with a lovely 95-mile loop Tuesday. She is absolutely exquisite. What a dreamy ride! She handles smoothly, climbs effortlessly, and feels/fits/looks better than anything I have ever ridden. The gearing is perfect – low enough & high enough for anything I expect to encounter, loaded or light.

I feel so lucky to have such an amazing and beautiful bicycle. I’ll send a couple photos if I ever stop long enough to take them…”

-Sonja, Washington

Media Coverage of Our NAHBS Experience

Alex — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 04:30:11 +0000

In addition to the feature on our bike over at CycleEXIF, the bike was also featured on BikeRumor, and numerous other places, including:

The NAHBS Bike, Full-On

Alex — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:54:42 +0000

So here she is in all her glory.

She was a labor of love, and I’m quite pleased with how it turned out. The front triangle began it’s life constructed of 4130 sleeve tubing, which was then cut apart and turned into the lugs.

Those lugs were then used to build the stainless front triangle, and the back end was built out of Columbus life.

The paint was done by Chris Kvale, who is just down the hall from my workshop.

There’s more imagery available at CycleEXIF.

Second Look: NAHBS Bike

Alex — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:41:11 +0000

The bottom bracket cluster.

Here’s a look at the heart of the bike — the bottom bracket cluster. All the lugs on this bike were hand-made to fit the angles required by the design. The rear triangle is Columbus Life, while the main tubes are KVA stainless. There’s another picture online with a close-up of the head lug nicely visible. Tomorrow, expect a whole set of pictures, and a description of the building process and kit.

NAHBS 2013 Teaser

Alex — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 18:27:31 +0000

A teaser of the bike I’m showing at NAHBS 2013, in Denver.

Here’s a quick sneak peek at the bike I’m bringing to the “new builders” table for NAHBS 2013 in Denver. I’m quite proud of the work on this one. There’s another sneak peek coming tomorrow and a full write-up coming on Friday.

NAHBS 2013 in Denver!

Alex — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 23:13:10 +0000

I am happy to announce that A-train Cycles will showing at the 2013 North American Handmade Bicycle Show, otherwise known as NAHBS. The bike we are planning to bring is still secret but if you’d like you can keep an eye on our facebook page for teaser/build shots. If you are planning to go to the show please stop by and say hi, I always enjoy talking to a fellow bicycle enthusiasts.

Getting Social Instagram Style

Alex — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 04:30:32 +0000

I have become a big fan of Instagram, it has been great resource for sharing day-to-day photos of the frame building process.