Where it always starts. Drafting up a plan.
TIG welding the down tube to the had tube.
Tacking the chainstays on.
Fitting up the seatstays. Final procedure in the frame fixture. Then moving on to final welding then bridges and braze-ons.
A good portion of the custom bikes that we've been making lately have been some variation or another on the Allroad type of bike. Geometry based on a rando or touring or road bike, but with more voluminous tires (chubby 650b or 26" sizes). For folks looking for a spirited, performance oriented ride that's capable of going places your typical road bike would shiver at thought of.
Currently working on the first of four of this kind of bike in the queue. It's a smaller sized frame with disc brakes, which will allow the use of either 26x2.3" (Rat Trap Pass) or 650x48b (Switchback Hill) tires (with the corresponding wheels of course). No big deal, the wheels have the same outside diameter, just have to make sure we've got enough clearance at the chainstays and fork crown.
Wondering what the interest would be for doing up a small run of these sometime next year. A half dozen or so bikes, all with more limited options in terms of wheel size/steerer/fork/brake type choice. But offered at a lower price point and with a quicker turn around time. (Although still with custom sizing and tube sets tailored to each individual, of course). If any of you out there in internetland have any interest in such a thing, let me know. And if enough folks think they might go for it, we'll make an official announcement sometime soon.
Contact us here: bantambicycles@gmail.com