All roads Estay build

[JA331]

I’ve experimented with 3 speeds for a while. On the SA I have on my red menace I found 44-17 to be awesome. Gives you 2 really usable gears in 1 and 2 with 3rd as a real overdrive gear great for riding downhill or with a tail wind. I originally set it up 44-22 but I hadn’t ridden bikes for years.

Since 2nd is the most efficient of the 3 gears it makes sense to gear it for the majority of your riding.

I have had many nexus 3 speeds and like them too. They do shift nicer that the SA’s. I’ll be experimenting with a nexus on the early Electra rat rod I’m picking up this week.

 

[GTHOtrod]

today it was time get some colour onto the new frame.

Red base Coat

Candy coat on.

I don't know why, but as soon as a get paint on a frame, I want to get it together. Wet paint makes assembly so much harder.

I stripped bits from the old frame and moved them straight across. Only change being a single crank set, to replace the triple I was using.

I tried a few different colours for the fork.
(Ran out of candy red).
Settled on good old gloss black.

 

[GTHOtrod]

I’ve experimented with 3 speeds for a while. On the SA I have on my red menace I found 44-17 to be awesome. Gives you 2 really usable gears in 1 and 2 with 3rd as a real overdrive gear great for riding downhill or with a tail wind. I originally set it up 44-22 but I hadn’t ridden bikes for years.

Since 2nd is the most efficient of the 3 gears it makes sense to gear it for the majority of your riding.

I have had many nexus 3 speeds and like them too. They do shift nicer that the SA’s. I’ll be experimenting with a nexus on the early Electra rat rod I’m picking up this week.

I really want to try an Alfine hub next. Happy with the Nexus so far, Alfine is supposed better again?
I live in a hilly area, so this build will benefit with the lower gearing. I agree 2nd should be your normal cruising gear. Trying something a bit different on this one.

 

[JA331]

View attachment 185635today it was time get some colour onto the new frame.

View attachment 185636
Red base Coat

View attachment 185637
Candy coat on.

I don't know why, but as soon as a get paint on a frame, I want to get it together. Wet paint makes assembly so much harder.

I stripped bits from the old frame and moved them straight across. Only change being a single crank set, to replace the triple I was using.

I tried a few different colours for the fork.
(Ran out of candy red).
Settled on good old gloss black.
View attachment 185638View attachment 185639View attachment 185640

Mate, that thing looks awesome. nice work!

 

[JA331]

I really want to try an Alfine hub next. Happy with the Nexus so far, Alfine is supposed better again?
I live in a hilly area, so this build will benefit with the lower gearing. I agree 2nd should be your normal cruising gear. Trying something a bit different on this one.

I like all the nexus hubs i have. 3 x 7 speeds, 1 x 4 speed, 2 x 3 speeds. The 7’s and the 4 are my favourites. The 3’s are ok but you need to experiment with them with different rear sprockets. The key is to gear second like your favourite single speed bike but you also need to consider the weight and style of the bike. I like a ratio for second around 2.5-2.6. I don’t have any experience with the Alfine hubs.

 

[RustyGold]

I really want to try an Alfine hub next. Happy with the Nexus so far, Alfine is supposed better again?

If you were buying new, you can get a Nexus optioned out to be the same as an Alfine. If you are looking at older used, the Alfine used to be the only way to get disk compatible hub, which also had the beefier axle. The Alfine used to have better seals than the Nexus and got roller bearings before the Nexus hubs did as well.

 

[GTHOtrod]

Found this nice little rack today. Fits up just perfect. Nice finishing touch.
I also added some silver and red splatter paint to liven up the plain black forks.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Splatter is the new black. So big this year.

 

[GTHOtrod]

Splatter is the new black. So big this year.

Think it suits the era of the frame well.

 

[BartRidesEternal]

Awesome bike! Looks like it is quick and nimble

 

[GTHOtrod]

Awesome bike! Looks like it is quick and nimble

Awesome fun to ride. Only planned change at this stage is a new rear hub with some extra gears.

 

[GTHOtrod]

Moved the b17 to another bike. I replaced it with a Brooks flyer, and matching Brooks grips.

 

[GTHOtrod]

A parts bike donated a nice set of black fenders to the E stay. Coming into winter down under, so it was time to fit them up

 

[GTHOtrod]

Fender clearance was too tight, mud and rocks getting jamed up in there, making all sorts of horrible noises. So go rid off the rear, and moved the front, back to the rear, plus giving it some extra clearance at the same time.
Just something to keep the crud from the underside of the Brooks.

 

[GTHOtrod]

Next round of updates. Cargo fork fitted up

 

[Pondo]

Cool build dude. I love the way it changes to suit the seasons!

 

[GTHOtrod]

Summer is on the way down under. Planning to hit some local trails, so fitted up a suspension fork and the dth tyres back on. The front end lift has had a very positive side effect, and is all round nicer and more comfortable. Not that it was bad before lol.
Now I just need to find a cheap 8 speed hub. 3 speeds isn't quite enough for this one.

 

[GTHOtrod]

Picked up a donor bike

With a Nexus 8 speed hub

Laced the hub into a 26"rim

Nice gear spread now. Just what this bike needed.

 

[GTHOtrod]

Things kind of got out of control.

Triple tree forks,
Ballistic DH stem,
Moto bars,
DMR 26x2.4s,
Dia Comp 284 levers.
Got those canti's working nice with kool stop pads.
Ready to tackle some knarley terrain.

 

[Kevin B]

That stem is it!!