28 May 2009

The more of these shiney Tephra XCR lovelies we do, the more I like them.  This one is a more ‘average’ size, with a 2 degree sloping top tube for a more traditional look that clocks in at 1476g, which is a nice number for a steel frame.  Especially considering the ø24 chainstays and ø38 downtube make for a very snappy and torsionally ‘go fast’ frame, as evidenced by the numbers in RIDE magazine.

We’ve moved forward on the XCRs from the ones that we’ve done since the review.  What kinda irked me with the earlier ones was the investment cast pieces just didn’t have that ‘uniform finish’ that the tubes exhibited. Because of that, we now use all CNC’d junctures (Bottom Bracket, Cable Guides, Dropouts etc.) most of which are from our pals at Paragon Machine Works.  While this increases the costs considerably, the frame look a lot sexier and more in tune with our Titanium options which is really nice.

Actually they’re so in tune with our Ti offerings, the only real difference now is in the ride quality.  Weight is the same, the XCR probably has a slight stiffness advantage, corrosion resistance is the same…..so you can’t go wrong with either!

Posted by warwick @ 5:09 am

01 May 2009

Okay so being that we’re purveyors of all things Steel, Titanium, and ‘handmade’, I thought it only apt that I finally pull my finger out and stock some of Ron Andrews mighty fine hand bent Stainless and Tianium ‘King Cages’.

They’re available on his website but you can also buy them from us if you like. Slightly cheaper too if you order a frame at the same time, like these lucky customers!

For the weenies, the weights are - Ti 30g, SS 48g, and the ‘Iris’ SS 49g. No I didn’t weight them all and write on each one what they weigh. If you order some and they’re 2g heaver, just empty out 2g of water from your waterbottle, or take a wizz, whatever you prefer.

(Apologies for the crap photo, I’m lumped with just the camera-phone at the moment.)

Posted by warwick @ 4:23 am