[Endomaniac]

A few years ago I built my dream single speed unfortunately a year or so later I found out it had the wrong size wheels on it.:madman: I tried a Niner for a while and though I really enjoyed riding it, it just didn’t have a couple of things I wanted in a bike and I always felt a little weird riding such a lightweight race bike on the type of trails I like to ride. After I crumbled the bike on a bad wreck I couldn’t wrap my mind comfortably around its replacement.
I started talking to a few different builders and came to find out that three of my favorite bikes I have ever owned (Dean single speed, Dean ElDiente road bike, and Wily Retro Singltrack) where all actually built by one guy whose name had never appeared on any of those bikes. He got the commission to build my new frame and I think it was the perfect decision. James built the bike with a huge down tube and seat tube to keep it all stiff but left the rear nice and lively. Its got a fairly slack angles and a nice high bottom bracket just the way I like’em. The fit is spot on

The build is some new parts and some old parts. Few of these parts are particularly light but they all hold a performance characteristic that I appreciate.

Black Sheep – custom Highlight
White Brothers - 100mm magic through axle fork
Hope and King hubs with WTB rims 14/15 spokes and brass nipples
King head set
Jones H-Bars with cork over foam and Shiggy style cane tips
Thompson stem (temp for sizing)
Hope mono Mini 160/180
Eno Cranks
Shimano BB (temp for sizing)
Boone cog and ring (my wife has a Boone engagement ring and we both wear Boone wedding bands so its nice to have a little more of their jewelry)
Brooks Swift saddle on a Moots post

Whole bike is a hair over 24 lbs. with the Specialized tires.

Ride report to follow……..

On with the pics.

 

[MMcG]

I like the seatstays on that bike. What is the reason, other than looks, for the upward bending top tube? Does the tubing in between top and downtube add to front end stiffness?

 

[SheSpeedsNotSingleSpeed]

Beaut

Those Boone cogs make twinkles in my eyes. Oo la la.

 

[Wish I Were Riding]

I like slack angles, so what are they? Bike looks great. Congrats! Looking forward to your ride report...

 

[donkey]

Very, very nice. I like it.

Moots stem at some point? That would set it off nicely.

B

 

[Endomaniac]

MMcG - The purpose of upward curving top tubes and tank tubes is for attracting the attention of the opposite sex (i.e. chicks dig it). Does extra triangulation near the head tube reinforce that area? Can’t hurt.

Donkey – I see a Ti stem in my future but probably not a Moots. James has a stem in the works and is currently undergoing testing. By the time I settle in on a reach and rise maybe he will be ready to build me one. I really wanted one of his seat posts but he doesn’t do set back and with the Brooks a set back is required.

Whish I where Riding - Slack is relative, IMHO most 29ers are very race oriented in their geometry that’s great until you are landing off small ledges in the middle of a rock gardens. Numbers aren’t that important, we’ll just say it’s more stable than a One9 at 100mm.

 

[MMcG]

I gotta say the more I look at that bike the more it grows on me - damned sweet ride.

I'm really diggin these Ti bikes of late. Your blacksheep, MedEnvEngr's Strong, and of course drevil's Matt Chester - all three are amazing in their own respects.

Enjoy.

 

[moondoggy]

I don't need another bike, I don't, I don't, I don't, just say no....

Very nice ride. :thumbsup:

 

[hamachi]

sweet ride!

 

[Konapdlr]

Out of all the bikes posted on MTBR. The Highlight makes me drool. Very nice!

 

[TACSTS]

Very sharp! :thumbsup: I wonder if James is still building for Dean some? I ask because I just wonder if he built my Dean 29r, John always referred to a "29r guy" that only did their 29" bikes. I'm pretty sure James built my El Diente too, because when I called to place my order the call was given to him and he was the one that took all my info. Regardless, it sure looks like you've got a sweet Ti ride, I'm sure you'll enjoy it! These curvy tube bikes are really taking off, and for good reason, they look great! congrats!

 

[Ptor]

Slack is relative, IMHO most 29ers are very race oriented in their geometry that's great until you are landing off small ledges in the middle of a rock gardens. Numbers aren't that important, we'll just say it's more stable than a One9 at 100mm.

I beg to differ -- numbers are important! With all these complements you're getting on the looks and design of your bike I think it would be fair payback to let us know the frame angles and dimensions. I for one have learned alot about frame design from precisely such posts, getting a feeling for what people do to sculpt their ride to fit them physically and to fit their riding style.

I have an older and more traditional Black Sheep 29er frame, but I can now recognize James' welds and style at 100 feet. I would have opted for the HighLight frame design if it had existed back when I got my frame. Even so, my bike brings a smile to my face every time I pass by it in the basement, and it brings a grin to my face every time I turn it on to the trail. I'm sure your's will do the same for you for years to come. Congrats on your good fortune!

 

[1strongone1]

Cool bike. I think I have seen a similar one frequent my garage.

What length BB did you use with the Eno cranks?

 

[elecknight]

Great Looking bike. The highlight in my garage is looking and feeling better all the time.

 

[Wish I Were Riding]

I beg to differ -- numbers are important! With all these complements you're getting on the looks and design of your bike I think it would be fair payback to let us know the frame angles and dimensions. I for one have learned alot about frame design from precisely such posts, getting a feeling for what people do to sculpt their ride to fit them physically and to fit their riding style.

What he said. That's a sweet ride. Share the info, we promise not to laugh. :nono:

 

[Singletrack Pig]

Cha-ching! Man, you kill me.

Hey Endo, you back riding already? From the pics ans x-rays I figured you'd be down for the rest of the summer.

Beautiful bike, but then every bike you own is about as sweet as it gets. Enjoy.

BTW, James just finished up a fork for me. Should be here this week. In talking to him about the fork he told me he built my Wily too. My bike has an identity crisis since I broke the top tube. It says it's a Wily, was welded by Black Sheep, and now has a TT and brace welded by Steve Stickel.

WiStickel? SheepStickel?

 

[Go Kart Motzart]

Very nice. It'll be fun to check it out in person for about 30 seconds before you ride me off your wheel.

 

[Endomaniac]

Yep I was only off the bike for a few weeks. Though my x-ray looked bad the docters say a bad break is actually better than a minor one in that situation, it heals faster and stronger. I have mainly been on the road lately I have done a couple road metrics and road the Cherohalla Challenge last weekend. I’m back to about 90% on the MTB. I already registered for ORAMM and Shannondoah so I better get to 100% soon.

So you ordered a Black Sheep fork, cool. James is great to deal with isn’t he? Super laid back but very professional. Couldn’t take the Reba? Don’t cyotes eat sheep?

I got to get you and Zack to come over and hit up some TN trails with me.

 

[DeeZee]

Curves

The more I look at that bike the more I love it! The only thing I would change is…………ah well??? I guess nothing.

Enjoy the ride! :thumbsup:

 

[Endomaniac]

Cool bike. I think I have seen a similar one frequent my garage.

What length BB did you use with the Eno cranks?

I have a 34 tooth ring and am using a 122mm spindle right now but I think I could go down to a 118mm spindle especially if I don't used the very rear part of the EBB. I asked for allot of tire clearance and got it fore sure (~2.7") I don't know if that is James' standard stay spacing or not.

Your bike did allot to get me interested in the Highlight.