The current belt drive that’s on the market is the Gates belt marketed by Carbon Drive.

Since the belt can’t be broken and rejoined, the frame must come apart to allow the belt to pass through. This can be done using a dropout that comes apart or can be done by fitting a coupler to the seatstay to allow the frame to come apart enough to pass the belt through and then be fastened back together. I prefer this option over the split dropout as it requires the least amount of modification which makes it cheaper for both new frames and for modifications to frames you already have.

Up until recently I’ve been machining the coupler myself which, since I’m doing them one at a time, can be quite costly. However, I’ve now sourced a supply of couplers which allows me to offer them at reduced cost. These new couplers are actually better than the ones I’d machined myself as they’re 3 piece rather than 2 piece. This means once they come apart there’s space to pass the belt through, rather than pushing the stays apart to create a gap. Just a slightly neater solution.

I can also supply the chainrings, sprockets and belts for the beltdrive system so can provide you with a complete conversion.

Currently playing in iTunes: Fakenham Fair by Bellowhead

I had a few people ask me recently if I do S&S conversions? Well I do. I can do these on new bike builds and as a retrofit option on most steel bikes.

For those who don’t know, S&S couplers are devices that are added to your frame, either when I build it new or as an aftermarket addition. It allows you to break apart your frame to enable you to pack it for travel. The idea is to be able to pack it in a case that meets the max size that airlines allow as standard baggage without having to pay extra for oversized bags.

There are a couple of similar systems available but S&S really have the best implementation out there. The unique design enable you to have a collapsable frame that rides no different than if the couplers weren’t present. They do this with a unique, toothed, precision machined interlocking doohicky.

S&S couplers aren’t cheap to fit but if you travel often, they can easily pay for themselves in just a few journeys by allowing you to avoid expensive airline fees.

If you’re on my build list waiting for a new frame let me know if these might be of interest. And if you think it might be an idea to fit these to your current frame, get in contact and I’ll give you a quote.

Currently playing in iTunes: Stone by PJ Harvey

Well, it’s been 3 months since I last posted anything here and more than that since I last posted any meaningful bike/framebuilding stuff.

I have been pretty busy in the workshop over the last couple of months but I’ve been getting lazier and lazier about taking and posting pics and getting anything online. This was mostly deliberate as it can be quite distracting stopping to photograph stuff every few minutes then quite time consuming to go through tons of photos and deciding what to post online. I will get back into again though.

I’ve got a few interesting builds coming up in next few months including a cross bike for someone who’s only 5′1″ and a 29er belt-drive Rohloff mountain bike for someone who’s 6′9″! Should be fun. Also in the works is a recumbent trike, an expedition (snow) bike and a Cannondale headshock frame.

As of March I’ll be devoting much more time to framebuilding (at the moment it’s a part-time job for me) so we should see lead times for frames coming down to a more manageable level (at the moment it’s somewhere between 6 and 9 months), so if you’re thinking about ordering a frame, you’ll get it sooner.

The pic above was sent to me by Tom and was taken at this years (‘09) single speed world champs in Durango Colorado. Looking out onto about 4 inches of snow here, I thought it was nice!

see you soon.

Currently playing in iTunes: The Tale of Lonesome Fetter by Black Francis

Bit weird but it was fun. Probably not the best bike choice from me but it gave me a pretty good excuse for riding like a doofus.

This was kinda in memory of our riding buddy Phil who passed away 3 years ago. We stopped at his bench for a while on the way up and admired the view. Wish I’d taken a camera with me.

Anyway, here’s to you Phil.

Currently playing in iTunes: Tain’s Big Ramsay by Martin Stephenson & Duncan Kennedy

more here ….

• 1″ ahead steerer
• 700c
• canti mounts
• low rider rack mounts
• mudguard and rack mounts at droupout (2)

It’s not drilled for a center/side-pull but it can be. I have the technology.

Can’t remember the atc or the offset but if you’re innerested, drop me an email and I’ll dig out the numbers.

Axle to crown 385mm, offset 52mm.

£130 + p&p including any paint.