New Custom Ventana El Ciclón

[metal]

I just picked this frame up a couple days ago. I figured I'd take a couple pictures to show all of you. I'm currently not sure what the build will be. As I raise the extra funds, I'll know more details. I'd like to be able to run a single-speed rear hub with 5-7 cogs on it. Need the strength of a dishless rear wheel, but need the climbing gears.
I plan on mounting this to my motorcycle for when I travel back to South America, so having the ability to ride all varieties of trails is important. Also keeping the weight down is also on my mind. This needs to become my Swiss Army knife of bikes.
Well instead of boring you with details, here are pictures.







Rear Travel: 5-inches (same as stock)
HA: 66-degrees (stock = 68.5)
BB: 13.1-inches w/ ISCG tabs (stock is 13.4-inches with no ISCG tabs)
SA: 74-degrees (stock is 72.3-degrees)

[denmother]

Did you get this wonderful frame at The Path???

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by denmother

Did you get this wonderful frame at The Path???

yup, i'm guessing this is sanjay since i remember him doing touring trips in south america in the past.

[ray321]

nice frame Sanjay can't wait till it's done.

[metal]

Originally Posted by denmother

Did you get this wonderful frame at The Path???

Nancy,

Yes, I got this frame at El Path. Auk got another one out of the first batch of 4.

[denmother]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

yup, i'm guessing this is sanjay since i remember him doing touring trips in south america in the past.

No way, we all know that Sanjay now works at The Path and no longer rides bikes, right????

[El Salt]

Congrats!

[ODB]

Bee-yootiful. Liking those numbers too.

[metal]

Originally Posted by denmother

No way, we all know that Sanjay now works at The Path and no longer rides bikes, right????

I'm just taking a bit of time off of bikes at the moment. Hopefully by the time I get this thing built the weather will be a bit cooler. Then it'll be all back to normal for me.

[pitmang1]

Sanjay,
I've been planning something similar with a dishless wheel. I am going to use a Hope Pro II SS Hub with either the smallest six cogs from a SRAM 9 speed set (11-?) or the Jeff Jones modified XT set which is the upper six cogs (17-27?). Let us know what you end up with. With ISCG tabs, a Hammerschmidt would be pretty nice on that frame with the low BB.

[thistrailisntlegal?]

Originally Posted by metal

I'm just taking a bit of time off of bikes at the moment. Hopefully by the time I get this thing built the weather will be a bit cooler. Then it'll be all back to normal for me.

which means you'll ride once a month instead of zero times a month? good for you!

[duke777]

Hey Sanjay

Congrats on the frame.....that's pretty sweet!

Off the bike or not Sanjay can still wheelie the paddy wagon, if that's not bad a$$ what don't know what is.

[TrailJesus]

I dream of the day when I finally own a Ventana. Until then I will live vicariously through you. Build it up!

[metal]

Originally Posted by pitmang1

Sanjay,
I've been planning something similar with a dishless wheel. I am going to use a Hope Pro II SS Hub with either the smallest six cogs from a SRAM 9 speed set (11-?) or the Jeff Jones modified XT set which is the upper six cogs (17-27?). Let us know what you end up with. With ISCG tabs, a Hammerschmidt would be pretty nice on that frame with the low BB.

So I've been busy with a couple projects that I have in the works. I came across a good deal on a Pro II SS wheelset and couldn't pass it up. My goal was to get as many cogs as possible mounted up to it. I managed to get 8 without any weird gaps. The range is 11-34t, so I will most likely now set my bike up with a single ring up front.

Below are some pretty bad pics of the final outcome.

I started with a Shiamno XT cassette. With it's alloy carrier, it can be machined down to slide in towards the hub flange more. This will not work with a Sram 990 cassette as you would have to remove some of the rivots holding the cogs.

These pictures show what a stock Shimano XT cassette looks like from the front and back.



This is what it looks like now.



I used an angle grinder to remove the bulk of the material, and then a headtube facer to clean everything up and make sure it was square.
Also the 11t cog needs to be machined down a bit. It normally slots into the 12t cog. Since I got rid of the 12t it has nothing to slot into.

To make everything fit I removed the 12t cog.

Also with an XT cassette goes: 11-12-15-[17-20-23-26-30-34]
I didn't want a jump from 11-15, so I swapped out my 15 for a 14t. No the lower 6 cogs all have a consistent 3-tooth jump.

These last couple pictures show the cassette installed. The only thing I now need to test is to make sure that there is clearance between the derailleur and the spokes when I'm in the biggest cog.




It took a lot of work, but I now have a super strong dishless wheel with basically a full cassette.

[pitmang1]

Originally Posted by metal

So I've been busy with a couple projects that I have in the works. I came across a good deal on a Pro II SS wheelset and couldn't pass it up. My goal was to get as many cogs as possible mounted up to it. I managed to get 8 without any weird gaps. The range is 11-34t, so I will most likely now set my bike up with a single ring up front.

The only thing I now need to test is to make sure that there is clearance between the derailleur and the spokes when I'm in the biggest cog.


It took a lot of work, but I now have a super strong dishless wheel with basically a full cassette.

Nice Work.
I didn't think it was possible to get 8 on the Hope hub. If the derailleur clears the spokes, let us know.

[metal]

Originally Posted by pitmang1

Nice Work.
I didn't think it was possible to get 8 on the Hope hub. If the derailleur clears the spokes, let us know.

I'll definitely report back as soon as I get a my drivetrain sorted out.

[DownHillPhil]

I'm kinda confused. Why will a SS wheelset be stronger than a normal one?

[2wheel_lee]

Thank you for sharing this with us - this is a great contribution. This is the kind of information that makes message boards fun and useful.

Originally Posted by DownHillPhil

I'm kinda confused. Why will a SS wheelset be stronger than a normal one?

Typically, the flange-to-flange width on singlespeed hubs is wider than standard geared hubs. This builds stronger wheels.

[thephat]

Originally Posted by pitmang1

Sanjay,
I've been planning something similar with a dishless wheel. I am going to use a Hope Pro II SS Hub with either the smallest six cogs from a SRAM 9 speed set (11-?) or the Jeff Jones modified XT set which is the upper six cogs (17-27?). Let us know what you end up with. With ISCG tabs, a Hammerschmidt would be pretty nice on that frame with the low BB.

You should know, we just got the bigger version of this in. It has a 17 inch seat tube, and a 24 inch top tube. I know you have been considering it.

[2wheel_lee]

Next year, if Snow Summit tightens up its restrictions to allow only cross country bikes, this Ventana may be the new trick for beating the intent of the rules as the Intense SlopeStyle is currently.

Of course if they go to $10 per ride up, that would suck.