WiseCracker SOLO for Fixies

We're running a test batch of WiseCracker LITE bottle opener/headset spacers for 1" forks. These will be called WiseCracker SOLO and should be available on the website shortly. Aimed at the popular single-speed/fixed-gear market, I've already received a few dozen pre-orders which bodes well for future production. Here are the key features:

• Machined in the USA from 6061-T6 aluminum
• 1" [25.4mm] headset spacer
• 0.197" [5.0mm] stack height
• Weight 18 grams
  
• MSRP $14
  

Here are some pics from the manufacturing process. The part's inside and outside profiles are CNC-machined out of a 1/4" thick sheet of material on one machine. Both surfaces of the sheet are machined to meet the final part thickness requirement of 0.197" [5.0mm].

Individual parts are then loaded into a second machine to add the chamfer feature onto the lip of the bottle opener. This step is critical to guarantee the bottle opener works every time you want to open a beer!

Parts are then sanded and deburred to remove any sharp edges left over from the machining process. Damn I love metal working!

Neo Retro Road Frame

Inspired by classic Ford GT40 graphics, we recently built up a 60cm aluminum road frame for Nathan in Washington state. As shown the frame weighs 3.39 lbs and is built from Easton Ultralite tubing throughout.

This bike will be equipped with Campy's 11-speed drivetrain so stay tuned for more pics! Special thanks to Maas Bros for sky blue powdercoat, VC Graphix for the panel stickers, and Alan Neymark for clear coat.

29er Threads on MTBR

Here are some great Ahrens 29er threads on MTBR:

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=514569

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=513912

One question that came up regarding this frame is the 70 deg head angle which is pretty slack in the 29er world. With this frame I wanted stable front end geometry that wouldn't be too twitchy in singletrack....I found that steeper head angles with big-wheeled bikes are just too aggressive for my riding style. Although the 'trail' dimension is more optimized with a steeper head angle (closer to 71.5 deg), that is only one aspect of the frame geometry that affects handling. The others are BB height, chainstay length and front-center which all combine to provide distinct, more-controlled handling characteristics and combine to place the rider's weight where it's needed for optimal traction. In this case,overall stability and slower turning were desired and the trail dimension shifted out of the 'accepted norm' for 29ers. In the end all that really matters is how the rider feels and in this case the response has been totally positive. Here's the rider's response after a few initial rides:

The head angle is perfect. The trails out here (Santa Fe, NM) have dried up and are hard as concrete. They are very fast right now. The Chocolate Revolver SS descends like its on rails. I know that's an overused quote but it's true in this instance. I have only ridden it four times but it feels like a year. The slacker head angle maybe slowed it down just a touch in really tight switchbacks but thats a tradeoff I'm willing to make. The geometry in conjunction with the Reba's Maxel light make for a very stable platform. Not twitchy at all, just point and shoot. Me likey!