XS :: Angus

Another fully built bike! This gives us the opportunity to show it off. There is nothing like a completed bike, fresh from the work stand.

It's always nice to see that the bike is not viewed as just a vehicle to hang random parts on, but is approached as an entire package.

Each part is selected, not just for its performance value, but also its aesthetics. Dashes of color here and there add small interesting focal points that draw the eye around the canvas of the completed bike.
The subtle attention to details are what make the builds so exquisite. From the wrapping of the handlebars to the final positioning and tuning of each of the parts, each moment of the build is approached in an almost formal way, blending traditional build etiquette with new high tech parts.
To go into all of the subtleties of what makes Justin's builds so pro would take forever, so I decided to focus on one aspect: cable routing.

Starting at the lever, each cable is cut to the right length and routed in a way to minimize cable drag.
Following the derailleur cables you will notice that the placement of the logos, in this case Dura Ace, is visible just above the adjustment barrel. This is the proper way to do it, recognized through the ages as one of the signatures of a pro build.

The adjustment barrels are also set so that there is room to adjust for future cable stretch.

In some cases crossing cables makes for more efficient routing between the handlebars and the adjustment barrels.



Double crimping on all of the cable ends, it's sort of like officially signing off on the routing of each cable.








When the build is completed the customer recieves a bike that is race ready, with no immediate adjustments nessasary.

Weekend Crush: Contrasto XS

Shipping out today is an XS with painted titanium lugs (2008 special color Tokyo Pearl), clearcoated carbon fiber (made exclusively for us by EDGE Composites) and white script decals. The black and white motif is really timeless and sets off the lug design quite well.

The carbon fiber EDGE 2.0 fork has a black painted-in crown wrap on each blade.



Each titanium lug is laser cut by our pals at LaserServices. The carbon fiber tubing and rear monostay are both made to our specifications by EDGE Composites.

We take the lug parts and cut them, one at a time, to fit together. We then TIG weld them together, creating a completely custom lug. After welding all of the lugs together the parts are sent out to the Metal Improvement, our shotpeening facility. Upon receiving the lugs back from "The Peeners" (as we lovingly refer to them) we set up our frame jig and bond the lugs to the carbon fiber tubing and monostay. At this point they look like this:

The frame then goes to the paint department where the luscious paint gets sprayed...



The final touch.... 1.1oz of sterling silver.

Focus: I.F. RAW!

This is Jim's everyday bike dubbed IF RAW. It is an XS singlespeed with road geometry, 120 rear spacing, and set up for both front and rear brakes. It weighs in at 16lbs 3oz.

Most solid drive train ever.

Phil Wood BB, Campy Record 165mm track crank with mounted 46t "Bling Ring" made by local chainring manufacturer 3RRR. In the rear is a 16t Euro-Asia "Superstar" track cog. Linking the two together is an Izumi "Super Toughness" track chain.