[OneGearGuy]

And relief is on the horizon!

Well folks, here are my first glimpses of the "Blue Bomber." Walt was kind enough to grace my inbox with these 2 pics of the frame and fork, fresh from the powder coater. Single speed, EBB, disc only and sure to wash away my blues... or at least the blue CK headset should help a bit.

You're all prolly tired of seeing yet another blue, custom niner, but I finally have the chance to share with my "krew." After about 4 months of excitement and patience, I am on board with some big wheels. She should be in my hands by Friday and the build will commence this weekend. Good thing, too. My H-bars have been sitting here, lonely like a decapitated, bodyless head looking for a home.

I shall provide pics of the complete build with specs as soon as I have her dressed up and made over. BTW- what brake levers should I get to complement my Avid BB-7's??

Thanks!
OGG

 

[unotache]

Clean

Looks nice.

Walt, I see a broom in one of those pics, time for some spring cleaning?

 

[PinsNeedles]

I'm not tired

Of blue custom 29er's, I stare at my blue Vulture all the time...
The H-Bars don't get old either...
Nice bike, I look foward to reading your ride report

 

[OneGearGuy]

Of blue custom 29er's, I stare at my blue Vulture all the time...
The H-Bars don't get old either...
Nice bike, I look foward to reading your ride report

Thanks, Pins! It is only fair since I have enjoyed your posts with pics and ride reports. Now, all I need to do is find a niner buddy as cool as Nat and I'll be all set, lol!
I am certainly looking forward to writing my ride report.

Over and out
OGG

 

[Mattman]

Avid SD Ti levers

BTW- what brake levers should I get to complement my Avid BB-7's?? Thanks!
OGG

I picked up a set of Avid SD Ti levers on Ebay NOS nice OEM stuff a couple years old, supposed to be the next best thing to the ultimates. I have them on two bikes now and love them. They were still available last time I looked.

I'm jealous, you will be riding before me. I've had my Big Blue Beast WW built for about 6 weeks or so and only got a couple short rides in before I broke my ankle. I've looked at it longingly for 5 weeks now and it will be about 2 more before I can start riding.

I don't have a good pic of the levers on my WW, but here are the other set on my Turner double boinger.

 

[tamjam]

I picked up a set of Avid SD Ti levers on Ebay NOS nice OEM stuff a couple years old, supposed to be the next best thing to the ultimates. I have them on two bikes now and love them. They were still available last time I looked.

I second Mattman. I picked up the same levers (prolly from the same seller) on ebay and love them. Cheap. Like $30 or something. They're on my Dos Niner and feel great. Actually prefer them to the Ultimates on my Waltworks. Nice WW OneGearGuy. Enjoy!

 

[Singletrack Pig]

Looks great OGG

Nice color, and I love Walt's segmented forks. Think you'll be ready to roll on Sunday? I'm planning a ride sometime that day if everything's put together.

 

[motoman711]

Beautiful Blue Bomber man!

That is absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to see the build on it. As far as brake levers go, I have used two different kinds. I have the older style XTR on my Monkey which work beautifully. And I used Avid Ultimates on Jeff Jones bikes when I rode them. Both work perfectly with the H-bars (you have to bring them in closer to the bar). The Avids might be a little more bling though.

Moto

 

[OneGearGuy]

Thanks for the great input, guys!

I am going to look into the Avids right now. I actually like really simple designs that are light and don't need much attention. The main thing is good reach adjustment for the lever, since the H-bars seem to require that. Avid really has that dialed. (ooohh, veddy, veddy bad pun!)

Sunday would be a great day for the maiden voyage, but I don't know if I can have the build complete by then, STP. We are doing a good Pisgah ride on Saturday though; stay tuned for details. I am not holding my breath about the Friday arrival- that way I won't be as let down if it no-shows. I'll call you when I have the Blue Bomber in my hands, though.
Maybe some cold, brown ales will entice you to build her up with me!

OGG

 

[OneGearGuy]

"only" 2 more weeks!

I picked up a set of Avid SD Ti levers on Ebay NOS nice OEM stuff a couple years old, supposed to be the next best thing to the ultimates. I have them on two bikes now and love them. They were still available last time I looked.

I'm jealous, you will be riding before me. I've had my Big Blue Beast WW built for about 6 weeks or so and only got a couple short rides in before I broke my ankle. I've looked at it longingly for 5 weeks now and it will be about 2 more before I can start riding.

I don't have a good pic of the levers on my WW, but here are the other set on my Turner double boinger.

well, call me an optimist. your bike will just be that much newer, that's all. you didn't break your ankle riding the Big Blue Beast, did you? keep on doin' the right thing so you can get back on asap. thanks for the good input on the levers. i am an Avid fan anyhoo.

so, how good do the bikes look in person? i am really looking forward to seeing the blue color in person.

OGG

 

[motoman711]

Here is a pic FWIW

 

[slim_pickens]

Thanks for the great input, guys!

I am going to look into the Avids right now. I actually like really simple designs that are light and don't need much attention. The main thing is good reach adjustment for the lever, since the H-bars seem to require that.

Here's a vote against the Avids. My new Speeddial SL broke off at the perch from a fairly light impact with a tree, and someone else on this forum had the same failure. There's not much material in the perches - they may be cast or something. My XTR levers are fine after being bent and realigned and bounced off stuff a zillion times.

 

[LJintheUK]

I use the Avid FR 1 levers and they are excellent, and I believe they were specifically designed for the disc brakes.

 

[Mattman]

well, call me an optimist. your bike will just be that much newer, that's all. you didn't break your ankle riding the Big Blue Beast, did you? keep on doin' the right thing so you can get back on asap. thanks for the good input on the levers. i am an Avid fan anyhoo.

so, how good do the bikes look in person? i am really looking forward to seeing the blue color in person.

OGG

I broke the ankle at Disneyland......we were there to celebrate my son getting his cast off really! The bike looks great in person, people flock to it to check it out. I know what you mean about the color, I picked the sky blue and did not know exactly what it would look like until I got it. Yours seems to be the darker blue. Here is the Big Blue Beast, in case you forgot the color from earlier photo spread. This picture makes it look more torquoise, it's actually quite like sky blue, or the color I wish the sky over my house was. I have many bikes and it is definately my favorite, I expect it will be for a long time.

 

[OneGearGuy]

Oh, I couldn't foget your bike!

I broke the ankle at Disneyland......we were there to celebrate my son getting his cast off really! The bike looks great in person, people flock to it to check it out. I know what you mean about the color, I picked the sky blue and did not know exactly what it would look like until I got it. Yours seems to be the darker blue. Here is the Big Blue Beast, in case you forgot the color from earlier photo spread. This picture makes it look more torquoise, it's actually quite like sky blue, or the color I wish the sky over my house was. I have many bikes and it is definately my favorite, I expect it will be for a long time.

No problems with remembering your bike, Mattman! Such a beaut.
I am going to run the same, outboard bearing XT cranks as you; do you have your ring set up on the inside or the outside position on the spider? I want the cranks to be as strong as possible without running a bash guard. Too much crap gets caught up in mine right now.
Thanks! OGG

 

[Mattman]

Outer ring position

No problems with remembering your bike, Mattman! Such a beaut.
I am going to run the same, outboard bearing XT cranks as you; do you have your ring set up on the inside or the outside position on the spider? I want the cranks to be as strong as possible without running a bash guard. Too much crap gets caught up in mine right now.
Thanks! OGG

I'm running my ring in the outer position. With a Boone ring and PC-7X chain I hope I have all the strength and durability I need. The Surly Stainless SS ring looks like it would be real strong too.

 

[OneGearGuy]

She's heeeeeeere...

Welp- the BlueBomber is in my hands. Still need a couple things (brake levers and trimming the John Holmes-esque steerer tube), but were almost there!
Check my other post for a full parts-spec rundown.

I will get some other, better pics (rain, rain go away...) real soon.
OGG

 

[motoman711]

Welp- the BlueBomber is in my hands. Still need a couple things (brake levers and trimming the John Holmes-esque steerer tube), but were almost there!
Check my other post for a full parts-spec rundown.

I will get some other, better pics (rain, rain go away...) real soon.
OGG

Gorgeous! I am building mine tonight! Enjoy the ride!

 

[Mattman]

That looks mighty fine!

And is another excellent blue if I do say so. I'll be watching for the full photo spread and ride reports to follow.

 

[OneGearGuy]

Gorgeous! I am building mine tonight! Enjoy the ride!

That is awesome news, moto!!
Let's see some porn! Your build and pics are anxiously awaited.

Seems like a bunch of black rain clouds automatically get packed with your new bike. When you open the box to revel at your new jewel, the clouds sneak out and start to rain down on your "I just want to get a quick ride in on my new bike" parade, lol!

OGG