I've been waiting for more info or discussions about this build, but I haven't seen anything other than a few pics posted by Steve Potts and Mike from Black Mountain. Can anyone tell me more about this very special bike? I would rank this up there with one of my favorite all-time custom bikes.
What do you mean? Why it wasn't publicized or offered to the general public?
No, I meant it seemed like there were a lot of teasers in the other thread. But the overall tone seemed like no one was supposed to say anything about it.
There's a lot of special things going on with that bike. I just wanted to learn a little bit more about it, that's all. I have no problem whatsoever if the owner(s) want to be low key.
i'm excited to share info about it, once i've ridden it. The bike is with steve still, and will need to go to Charlie for some tweaking and a new stem, steering limiter and a single chainring guide. I am beyond stoked to be a part of the project. The bars are also going to be changed, to the older model in 25.4, without the long reach and deep drop.
"believe what you ride, not what you read" 94 WTB catalog
No, I meant it seemed like there were a lot of teasers in the other thread. But the overall tone seemed like no one was supposed to say anything about it.
There's a lot of special things going on with that bike. I just wanted to learn a little bit more about it, that's all. I have no problem whatsoever if the owner(s) want to be low key.
Ah, gotcha. I think its a function of them not all being done and in the hands of their owners yet. I think Cursive's is the first to be pretty close to complete and as he said...still needs details sorted. The other problem is I think some of the owners might not be big forum guys/suck at the internet.
Their is a nice article about Steve and Charlie in the recent Mountain Flyer that talks about the project and it has better pictures of that first bike.
Hey Nate, are you talking about the old vs new RM-14s? I'm not sure there is much difference in reach and drop.
The old ones that you have shown there are what I'm talking about, the 31.8 ones on the bike are different. Halaburt might have a better knowledge of what im talking about, as I shipped him these new 31.8 bars without comparing them to the 25.4 versions at my shop.
"believe what you ride, not what you read" 94 WTB catalog
The old ones that you have shown there are what I'm talking about, the 31.8 ones on the bike are different. Halaburt might have a better knowledge of what im talking about, as I shipped him these new 31.8 bars without comparing them to the 25.4 versions at my shop.
I'm not sure the overall shape is that much different (new vs. old), but the new ones are narrower (51.5 vs 55.0cm). The DIA bike as pictured in Mountain Flyer was put together pretty quickly to meet the magazine's deadline. The new bar has the right (enough) look -- and would work out-of-the-box with a Ti stem that Steve had available. The final/real build of the DIA's will have custom stems that get the real bars in the exact right position for each owner.
It's not a production model where the price is set. It's a personal discussion between the builder and the buyer and it's weird to ask how much somebody paid for it.
However, I have bought things from Charlie and Steve and, while expensive, they spend a lot of time on it. Charlie keeps an accurate timesheet on his time and charges for time spent and I found it more than fair. I would think the bikes cost more than 10k and comparing it to modern bikes that also cost that much, I would much rather spend it with those two men and make their lives more comfortable and marvel at the craftsmanship of their work every time I pass my hand across the top tube.
I love the Ham and Potts that I have and I don't regret a dime that I've spent on their stuff.
It's not a production model where the price is set. It's a personal discussion between the builder and the buyer and it's weird to ask how much somebody paid for it.
However, I have bought things from Charlie and Steve and, while expensive, they spend a lot of time on it. Charlie keeps an accurate timesheet on his time and charges for time spent and I found it more than fair. I would think the bikes cost more than 10k and comparing it to modern bikes that also cost that much, I would much rather spend it with those two men and make their lives more comfortable and marvel at the craftsmanship of their work every time I pass my hand across the top tube.
I love the Ham and Potts that I have and I don't regret a dime that I've spent on their stuff.
I would rather spend on them too .. but for other reasons; their bike is just better for my riding and won't be outdated when suspension parts get old, carbon looks old or a new standard makes finding a susp fork impossible.
They could be repulsive, mean which they are not and yet that bike is still a nice buy.
WTB: Bomber Z2 1 1/8 steerer, in good to excellent shape OR bomber rebuild kit.
Never been in the hunt but aren't old Cunninghams selling for over 10K?
I know of one that sold recently for the equivalent of $10k+, which seems to be the going rate now unless you get really lucky and the seller isn't in the VRC loop. Frankly, at that price I'd rather get one of the new ones that's custom built to fit me perfectly than buy an old one built for someone else, but that isn't an option so I'll go on hoping that someday a 'ham my size will fall out of the sky and land in my lap.
This dude needs to stick to signing autographs at the MTB HOF. That bike is laughable, I thought my old TREK was shoddy but it looks like a Merlin next to that.
Yup, that's my boy Arthur, dead like every other fighter I follow. I need to find a reckless up and comer with some power to get me back into the game.
This dude needs to stick to signing autographs at the MTB HOF. That bike is laughable, I thought my old TREK was shoddy but it looks like a Merlin next to that.
Yup, that's my boy Arthur, dead like every other fighter I follow. I need to find a reckless up and comer with some power to get me back into the game.
Tom
I'm giving you a hard time, not agreeing with you.
Tom - it's distinctly possible you have a limited ability to see the actual quality of construction and depth of engineering in the Cunningham. A strong weld isn't only about looking pretty.
Some of the top companies in the industry still rely on his advice, even on their most advanced designs. Perhaps your criticism is making you look a little naive...
Tom - it's distinctly possible you have a limited ability to see the actual quality of construction and depth of engineering in the Cunningham. A strong weld isn't only about looking pretty.
Some of the top companies in the industry still rely on his advice, even on their most advanced designs. Perhaps your criticism is making you look a little naive...
I don't think anyone questions the engineering, and from a distance the frame is really lovely. Up close, though, it is a different thing altogether. Working machinists, welders, and artists might look askance at those welds. In fact I showed them to a welder friend of mine and said they weren't the prettiest he had ever seen.
Those look awful to me, too. I can't agree with your analysis of the comment about the welds. I am prepared to be educated, not cowed.