monkeyseemonkeydo

Bloody A3s

I think the point here is that welding is something of an art and a good welder takes pride in the appearance of the finished work as well as the structural integrity. If you're going to set up a business making custom bike frames (particularly if you're charging reasonable money for them) then the finished product needs to be pretty good. I remember having a dig at an early Marino frame on OTN and was properly booted out of the discussion because I hadn't realised how cheaply he was pushing out the frames and accepted that if you're buying a custom frame for £140 then you can accept a lower finish quality. When JAF were posting pics of frames it was the paint finish that looked dodgy to me but I kept my mouth shut because everyone seemed to be raving about them and I didn't want to step on anyone's toes but the pictures posted in the thread are awful. Now whether that's because it was done in a rush or whether it was an early example I don't know but at the end of the day if I'd spent £300 or whatever on that frame I'd be sending it back because it looks like it was made in a shed by a school kid learning to weld. I know aesthetics aren't everything, but at the end of the day in custom frame building I think it counts for quite a lot. Not having a dig at you, just trying to put some context to the mob mentality that's been shown, particularly when JAF were being pushed as the next big thing (i.e. a new Leeson) and the whole Marino vs. JAF thing making it sound like he really knew his shit when if what's in this thread really was the standard being put out then something's wrong!

Totally agree with the issues about the length of the 'seatpost' (which is the same complaint as the Zoot; Onza why you no listen?) and can see what you mean about the front triangle although in my mind the aesthetic issue is the flaring where the toptube meets the seatpost. That one little detail makes it look like an OVERSIZED ALLOY FRAME!!!11! on a Halfords/Lidl £99 kids bike. Edit: Having said that about the flaring I guess that was a major weak point on the Zoot so you can understand them changing something to try and make this frame last. I don't see why this isn't going to be the 2015 Zoot Pro or something though- Woodstock is an odd choice.

Yeah, +1 on that- I've used various plastic ones but much prefer the idea of ones with a bit of a backbone! Currently got the Bike-It ones (although the ally's gone black since this pic):

Nice. What pads did you go for? I'm still on EBC HH's on mine and were definitely more bitey (although a bit noisier) than stock.

I've been running hand guards for years on the ER but mainly for the look. they definitely help a bit with wind protection but mine are more to protect the levers from wing mirrors and for aesthetics.

Has Josh given any reasons for shutting up shop with so little notice (or information)? He was pushing his new products etc. and sponsoring Euan Beaden a few weeks back at Radfest and the next week he's shut up shop for good. As has been said- looooverly welds there Leigh- look forward to seeing what you put together in the way of custom frames.

Saw about his accident a few days ago but at that point they didn't know how serious it was/might be. Fingers crossed he can make a full recovery...

Aha, so it is water maybe with a little food colouring!

World's most pointless product test? You'd have had exactly the same finish using pure water and a sponge after four days and 20 miles. Nothing engrained, nothing more than surface dust... I actually now have an inherent dislike of A3's purely down to this thread. If I never saw another one in my life I'd be only too happy. A3 drivers also seem to be some of the worst which is kind of odd. [/grumpy]

I kept mine in my room also but the bike was still insured on my mum and dad's home insurance.

It's just a standard one that's been turned down in diameter to save weight I'd have thought. Original was anodised and it's not difficult to paint the edge and make it look right again. I take it the edge isn't grooved like the full ones were.

Well that sucks! They only fairly recently increased it from £34-£42 didn't they? Ah well, good to know!

I don't think he's got a snowballs chance in hell of getting that. He's had his day- either take a big salary cut (not that he needs the money) and go somewhere lower down or retire gracefully and enjoy the likes of DTM or prototype LeMans type shizzle. I really hope Kimi is able to walk all over that Spanish tosser!

You don't have to use tracked services to be covered though- provided you have proof of posting you can claim up to £42 back on anything sent by the normal RM services. Obviously need to prove the value of what was sent (and it does take a long time) but the system does work.

Cheeky

You can but I certainly wouldn't.

If you get the kit you could prep the bodyshell yourself but let him build the chassis as I imagine he'll enjoy that bit but like the fact you've put the effort into the shell...

MOT wise it'll probably be easiest to get it done as daytime only but I'm guessing it will need to have things like a brake light if nothing else...

:'(

I thought that might've been what you were getting at . Damn straight. I'm ok but the point is I've been around long enough to run everything from 158mm cranks on many a mod through to 175mm on 24s and stocks. That's irrelevant when deciding whether shorter cranks change your gearing though.

~15 years and counting, 20", 26" and 24", mainly for fun with a good few years competing mainly at local level but up to National thank you very much .

I'm gonna take a wild guess at who you might want to ignore/block...

Was ist das?