ORBO Nostalgic Contemporary

[Dizzle Problems]

Aka retro modern.

Typically when I build, I aim to keep things era specific. Mainly late 70s - early 80s style builds. In an effort to push myself outside of that zone, I’m going to go with what these days is a common occurrence. Old frame, ‘modern’ bits.

This will be a coaster brake bike built for off road use.
The initial inspiration for the build is a set of rims that were given to me. 27.5 Tubeless rims.

And I’d like to run a threadless fork. One of these 5. -

The Barnacle fork is 1” threadless, and the steerer uncut. Although aesthetically I love it, I’m weary to cut the steerer as I have a possible idea for it down the line elsewhere.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

I already had ordered some tires for the soon to be wheels. They were cheap on eBay, so I jumped on them. Only 2.0 wide, but I’m not sure if I’m going to use a middleweight frame, or a ballooner. I figure these would fit either.

 

[twojs.bike]

Nice selection of forks.

 

[OddJob]

I like squared crown looking fork. Gnarly, burly. Although the 2.0 tire might look a bit skimpy with that one.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

Nice selection of forks.

Thank you.

I like squared crown looking fork. Gnarly, burly. Although the 2.0 tire might look a bit skimpy with that one.

I agree. I have a lead on a titanium Merlin that takes a 1” fork that I think I’ll hold them for. And definitely go with a fatter tire.

Here are the two frames I’m between for this project. Leaning towards the 1940 straight bar.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I'd choose the straight bar all day long, that thing is awesome!

 

[OddJob]

Straight bar FTW!

 

[Dizzle Problems]

Yea. Straight bar is the way to go for this one. Kinda cool the previous owner had a frame bag on it that left makings as I too have a straight bar frame bag. I think the p2 fork without Canti mounts looks best for this build too.

Gathering parts. First is the stuff to put the fork and frame together. I have this 1 1/8” threadless headset that’s been milled down to fit a Schwinn. I need to get more headset spacers. Running low on black ones.

I have this seatpost that I acquired a few years back that was custom made for a Schwinn.
Aesthetically it’s not my favorite. But it does fit the effort of more modern bits.

Crankset / chainring / bb. I know that for single speed mountain biking I like about 42 gear inches. 42/22 on a 29er, 36/22 on 26”. Works out to 34/22 on 27.5.

I already have the adapter to run a euro bb on an American shell. Just have to find it.

Front hub-

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Gonna be a sweet ride!

 

[One-eyed Sailor]

Parts drooling.. It's gonna be killer!

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Yea. Straight bar is the way to go for this one.

"Let me casually just drop this Mongoose in the background for a little bit of a flex, and if they don't get the message, some Ringlé should drive the point home"
Message received. This will be good

 

[Dizzle Problems]

"Let me casually just drop this Mongoose in the background for a little bit of a flex, and if they don't get the message, some Ringlé should drive the point home"
Message received. This will be good

No intentional flex, ha. Those ringle hubs can be found on eBay for 20-30 bucks. The Kos was out because I need to change a flat.

The straight bar has a little bend in the drive side seatstay, which has the rear triangle slightly out of straight sitting at 115mm. I’ll do some frame alignment before I start to fit stuff.

 

[Duhawki]

I love the straight bars!

 

[One-eyed Sailor]

Straight bars…

 

[Dizzle Problems]

So, the frame had a slight bend in the drive side seatstay. (That I failed to take a pic of). And the rear was slightly outta wack. Spaced at 115mm. I got it straightened out and installed the headset, fork, stem, and bb adapter. I need to order some different headset spacers. Also laced on a straight bar frame bag I have made by Toast Tea Threads out of Santa Barbara.

Really helps to have the proper tools for straightening and alignment.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

Making slow progress while I wait for some small bits to come in.
Getting the coaster prepared. (High temp grease not pictured)

The spokes arrived for the front wheel, so laced it up. Kinda silly, but I’ve been wanting to build a wheelset with colored nipples that are put in at random. Silver spokes for quick valve hole identification.

Still need to tension and true.
Waiting on parts for the rear wheel before I can order spokes.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

Chamfered the brake shoes and messed around with some neon paint earlier this week. Got the hub back together today. What I was waiting for for the rear hub arrived today. Flange adapters to run a 32 hole rim on a 36 hole shimano coaster. Got em bolted on. I’ll check through my spokes and see if I have the right length. If not, I’ll have to order some.
Also got the bb and crank arms installed.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

I had been some what concerned about tire clearance with the 27.5 wheels. Got the front tire mounted and did some test fitting. Happy I went with the 2.0 tires now.

 

[OddJob]

Plenty O'Room; the Irish goddess of tire clearance.

 

[Wildcat]

Chamfered the brake shoes and messed around with some neon paint earlier this week. Got the hub back together today. What I was waiting for for the rear hub arrived today. Flange adapters to run a 32 hole rim on a 36 hole shimano coaster. Got em bolted on. I’ll check through my spokes and see if I have the right length. If not, I’ll have to order some.
Also got the bb and crank arms installed.

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Flange adapters? Are those store bought? I never heard of them.
I measured and drilled out a 36 hole rim to take a 32 hole kickback hub. Flange adapters would have been better and easier.