Credits: Article and images by Tim Mosso @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/06/05/tim-mosso-builds-a-custom-road-bike-part-2-the-frame/
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This human element and ready access to decision-makers made a huge difference in my perception of Seven. Yes, it’s a large builder by artisanal standards. No, it’s not Specialized. In time, I received personally autographed sign-offs from my frame’s engineer, machinist, welder, and painter. Nice.
Neon green has been my favorite color since I was a child. At one point, my mom had to veto my childhood request to paint an entire bedroom that color. As an adult, my tastes have matured, but my appetite for retina-scorching verdure never mellowed. Seven offers custom paint, but I was fortunate that one of its stock mixes, dubbed “Granny Smith,” perfectly matched the color I imagined.
Since I already own an unpainted titanium frame on my Holland Exogrid, I feel no need to indulge the leave-it-bare school of titanium bike couture. That said, I liked the look of Seven’s bare carbon fiber tubes, so I left them with natural finish as a black counterweight to the electric green. See Mom, I’ve finally grown up!
At this point, I should mention that I confined my custom frame requests to geometry, size, paint, and tube gauge. Additional options include mounts for fenders, extra water bottles, panniers, dynamo hubs, baskets, racks, and custom paint that rises to the level of high art. The frame can be whatever the buyer wants, and my intentions were modest relative to the scope of possibility.
Those modest goals included stability, ride comfort, and light weight. About that last one: I know and agree with the notion that bike weight isn’t a major factor in performance. Since I live in an old building with no lift, every ride begins and ends with a portage up and down narrow stairs, while holding a bicycle, and wearing cycling cleats.
If there’s a better argument to be made for cutting 1.5-2 kilograms/3-4 pounds from a bike’s weight, I haven’t seen it.
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Credits: Article and images by Tim Mosso @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/06/05/tim-mosso-builds-a-custom-road-bike-part-2-the-frame/