[Allroy]

Mr. Fedex was kind enough to drop off my new beauty laaaaate last night, coupled with a late night at work I could only manage a partial build before laying down for a restless night of singletrack dreams. Finished the build today and got out for a quick jaunt around some local trails to begin dialing everything in, many good trails ahead!

I started talking with Gene at Spicer Cycles a couple months ago based on another friends recommendation. Most people tend to know him because of his partnership with XI'AN Changda and the cruiser bikes. Not too much is posted about his steel work which he does himself. I spent a good bit of time talking with him about riding style, fit, frame materials, etc. I knew pretty much what I thought I wanted as far as geometry and left most of the tubing selection up to Gene.

I really couldn't be happier with the entire process and end result. You can get a nice custom bike from a long list of builders, but in the end what makes you happy is feeling like you were their only customer and they delivered what you were looking for. This is how I felt for the past 3 months with Spicer, I couldn't speak any more highly of our interactions (my constant emailing and general giddiness) and the finished product.

Details for those that care;

• Frame - 72 degree HA, 73.5 SA, 23.5 EFTT, 17.375 Chainstays, 12.5"+ bb height, Standover 26"
• Seafoam green powdercoat with silver metallic clearcoat
• Waltworks Fork: 468mm A-C, 45mm rake
• Bushnell EBB - New Style
• King Pink Headset
• Thomson Stem: 90mm x -5 degree rise
• Thomson Seatpost 29.4x410mm
• ON-ONE Mary Bars
• Oury Lockon grips
• WTB Shadow V Saddle
• Hayes Discs
• Paul Disk Hubs
• Salsa Delgado / Alex TD-17 Rims
• Ignitor Rear Tire (folding)
• Exiwolf Front Tire (folding)
• Raceface Deus Cranks 175mm
• Blackspire 34T ring
• ENO 20T Freewheel
• KMC Rust Buster Chain
• Candy SL Pedals​

 

[Wish I Were Riding]

I love it! Especially the bent top tube. Enjoy!

 

[donkey]

Wow...looks really nice. If you don't mind my asking...what do Gene's frames go for once you figure in the tube bending and what not?

B

 

[Cloxxki]

Awesome!
I know Spicer asks more than reasonable prices. Did you let him supply some of your build kit as well? I think Spicer one of those (with Jones and Walt) that help out with parts supply as well.

 

[Drevil]

I didn't know Gene made mixte frames! Can my nephew try your bike? He's 5.

Can't wait to check it out later today...

 

[MMcG]

Cool bike - is the top tube just for asthetics? I love the look of it (very Surly Instigator like but in a more XC type fashion). It looks like you are running a a really long seatpost. That made me wonder about the curved TT. Do you have very short legs and a long torso (but all that seatpost makes me wonder about the short legs)? Or did you just dig the curved look? There's a Wily built like that that I love to look at.

It would be great if you'd shed more light on your design choices. Cool color to that bike too - it must really sparkle in the sunshine.

 

[Drevil]

It would be great if you'd shed more light on your design choices. Cool color to that bike too - it must really sparkle in the sunshine.

I wasn't supposed to say anything, but he wanted it to match his cotillion dress. I think Gene has a great eye for color and hit it spot on!

 

[Singletrack Pig]

Separated at Birth?

The bent top tube looks distinctive as hell and gives your junk plenty of room to breathe. Sweet bike...enjoy.

 

[jh_on_the_cape]

my favorite part are the rack mounts...

i see no canti brake bosses... how can you do a rear disc and mount a rack? or will you remove the brake and go fixed gear for touring? just wondering... i hope to order a frame at some point and i thought i would have to go with V brakes in the back in order to be able to mount a rack.

great looking bike.

he likes the long seatpost for hot caligula/'fist of adonis' action.

 

[slim_pickens]

I wasn't supposed to say anything, but he wanted it to match his cotillion dress. I think Gene has a great eye for color and hit it spot on!

Blahahahhahaha! Best photo ever.

 

[Allroy]

Some Answers

donkey - I don't know if I want to say what I paid for it because I wouldn't be surprised if Gene would charge more the next go-round. It took a lot of physical work for him cutting wood radiuses for the press and a couple knackered tubes in the process. That being said his standard 4130 29er frames start at only $650. With the mixed OX Platnium tubing, EBB, bottle opener, rack mounts, curved tubes, metallic paint, and whatever extras I've forgotten I was still under $1000 by a good bit.

Cloxxki - No I ride for a bike team so I get very good prices on parts, I did have Gene order the seat collar since I didn't know what size to get along with 2 half-links.

Drevil - That was good, touché!

MMcG - I'm 5' 9.75" and have a 30" inseam and longer upper body, I rode a medium monkey for the top tube length, the standover really suffered. Most people I've noticed my size ride the small monkey (Drevil, JoeP to name a couple). Yeah I dig the curved top tube, but my rationale was also along the lines of lower standover, partially based on Jeff Jones philosophy. I also didn't like how harsh the back end of the Monkey (not a lot of seatpost sticking out), having lots of seatpost will add some flex and 'absorb' some of the bumps. So there was some more, but they're the main points.

Singletrack Pig - I always thought your bike was damn sexy, so took the basic idea and tweaked it to fit some of the ideas I listed above.

jh_on_the_cape - I've always run fixxie for touring. I haven't tried to mount the rack with the disk caliper yet, but I'll let you know if it work or not. haha fist of adonis!

 

[threesixeight]

Seafoam

Seafoam Green. I like it. The first I heard of that color was back in the 1980's when Oakley called a green pair of Blades sunglasses Seafoam. Very cool bike, very cool color. Have fun with it.

 

[Ricky J]

Pink Ano

That CK headset suggests you've developed a healthy interest in breasts, at least that's what their website says!

I'm working with Gene Spicer now on a 29er cruiser, he IS top-notch to work with.

 

[Allroy]

20 Years Earlier...

60's Seafoam Green Vespa Scooters!
thanks

Seafoam Green. I like it. The first I heard of that color was back in the 1980's when Oakley called a green pair of Blades sunglasses Seafoam. Very cool bike, very cool color. Have fun with it.

 

[Swami Scott]

Love the bike! Color is great.

What does the bent top tube provide other than standover? Is it stiffer or less? I do like the looks of it.

 

[Rainman]

..Yes..

Excellent bike, great colour, and the bent top bar looks fantastic.

Enjoy it..

R.

 

[shiggy]

60's Seafoam Green Vespa Scooters!
thanks

My Dad had a '63 Ford Falcon van the same color, too.

 

[Guitar Ted]

60's Seafoam Green Vespa Scooters!
thanks

And......STRATOCASTERS!!

Very impressive bike! I've always had a soft spot in my heart for that color ever since Jeff Beck played a Strat that color back in the eighties. Have fun on your new sled! It's a sweetie!

 

[AteMrYeats]

This bike looks really cool in person, if not a little, uh, effeminate. Allroy was tearing up the trails last night, and the thing was covered in ice and mud in no time. See you on the trails, Stoner.

 

[Enoch]

I like it

I really like bent top tubes. The smoother the bend, the better they look.
Very Nice lookin' bike.