Here's my Custom Blend Frame. It's Burgundy Stardust with light cream panels.

The tubing is True Temper OX Platinum with Columbus Life chain stays and Tange Prestige seat stays.

TT virtual 580mm, ST length(c - top of collar) 570mm, HT length 185mm, CS length 415mm, BB drop 80mm, HT angle 74 deg, ST angle 73 deg, TT slope 8 deg.

The craftsmanship on the frame is wonderful and the paint job came out great. The metallic color is subtle. It's gives the frame a reddish-orange look outdoors. In the shade, the frame has more of the typical burgundy deep red color.

Carl was a pleasure to work with. His reputation of being patient and professional is spot-on.

Thanks to all for posting their bikes. I haven't even built this bike and I'm already getting a craving for a Kish :p

http://gallery.roadbikereview.com/data/roadbike/500/trim2_of_IMG_0285.jpg
http://gallery.roadbikereview.com/data/roadbike/500/Copy_1_of_IMG_0126.jpghttp://gallery.roadbikereview.com/data/roadbike/500/Copy_1_of_IMG_0125.jpghttp://gallery.roadbikereview.com/data/roadbike/500/Copy_1_of_IMG_0123.jpg

Wow, very nice colour scheme. Have you decided on parts yet?
Cheers, Wayne

Gotta luv Carls work. :D

Wow, that one came out really nicely.

I need to go buy something, these pictures are killing me.

Nice, The orange, looks cool in the head tube closeup. I like the panels a lot too.

Thanks everybody for the nice comments.

Wayne, my original build list consisted of a dura ace grupo, Reynolds Quzo Pro fork, Chris King headset, Deda Newton handlebar, Thomson seatpost and stem. However, due to unforeseen medical costs, it's looking like I'll have to cannibalize one of my bikes to get this puppy on the road.

What is it about those Life chainstays? They are so sexy. Great bike!

A nice as it is, and it is very nice, you can keep the bike. I just want the view out your window. It would be nice to be able to start my ride in the country rather than have to ride there.

A nice as it is, and it is very nice, you can keep the bike. I just want the view out your window. It would be nice to be able to start my ride in the country rather than have to ride there.

Let me guess, California hills, maybe south of San Jose --- Gilroy?

that thing is so sweet.

i want one so badly.

i would have probably ordered one by now, but I just bought a new carbon race bike.

Very classy color scheme, congrats on a sweet frame!

I'm trying to pick the color for my new Strong frame - it's fun and torture at the same time!

Good luck getting her built and on the road!

Congrats, I know that you'll really enjoy the ride. Nice color scheme, very classy!

Let me guess, California hills, maybe south of San Jose --- Gilroy?
Pretty close. I live a little farther south in Santa Barbara County.

Very sharp.

Very nice! Reminds me a bit of: Another Nice Strong (http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=69901) :thumbsup:

Jim

I love the paint.......makes me drool!

Very nice! Reminds me a bit of: Another Nice Strong (http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=69901) :thumbsup:

Your bike gave me some ideas, a belated thanks.:)

:7:
Here's a pic of my Strong frame's initial build. I had to sell one of my mountain bikes and borrow the wheels off my other bicycle to complete the build. Once I'm happy with my setup, I'll cut the steerer tube and properly tape the bars. I've taken it out for two rides, and the main thing I've noticed is how well it descends with the lower bottom bracket. I'm really happy on the overall feel of the bike. I'll need more saddle time to give a better review. Thanks for looking.

http://gallery.roadbikereview.com/data/roadbike/500/trim2_of_IMG_0285.jpg

Here's my Custom Blend Frame. It's Burgundy Stardust with light cream panels.

TT virtual 580mm, ST length(c - top of collar) 570mm, HT length 185mm, CS length 415mm, BB drop 80mm, HT angle 74 deg, ST angle 73 deg, TT slope 8 deg.



Beautiful bike.
Those are almost perfect measurements for my ideal bike, a little less TT slope maybe.

How much of a difference in cornering for 8cm BB drop vs 7 ???

Beautiful bike.
Those are almost perfect measurements for my ideal bike, a little less TT slope maybe.

How much of a difference in cornering for 8cm BB drop vs 7 ???

Thanks for the compliment.! Carl gave me a preliminary design with a 5-degree TT slope, but I decided to change it:idea: .

The Strong has more stability than my Lemond with a 68cm BB drop. On my first ride I went down a familiar 3-mile twisty descent that has a few switchbacks, it felt like I was braking later and entering the turns at higher speed, I really can’t quantify it. The bike just had a more secure feeling on the descent with my higher handlebar position (handlebar drop of about 4cm). I’m not sure that I was able to answer you question. I just need more rides to get a better feel for the bike's characteristics.

That's a beaut! I really like the color scheme. I thought about something similar for my Strong but went with another color. Enjoy it...it's a great bike.

That is a sweet looking Strong. I have one from 2004, back when Carl was still painting them in-house. Carl's paint is very durable, but it does not stack up to what Spectrum can do. Your paint looks amazing, I think the panels look superb. I have been toying with sending mine out for a repaint at Spectrum, my vision is almost the same paint scheme only using a metallic blue. I think seeing yours has likely sealed the deal and I will send mine out at the end of the summer. Currently it is racing red, and I think I have owned one too many red bikes in my time! I notice in your original pics that the dropouts are not painted. Mine were painted and it was quite a heavy powdercoat. Over time, the knurling on the rear skewer, plus many wheel changes has left that area looking a little rough.

After what has seemed to be an endless winter of rain in the PNW (and lots of quality time on my fendered winter bike), I have had my Strong out on the road quite a bit in the past few days. I am always amazed at how stable but nimble it is, mine is a little smaller (57 cm TT w/ 5 deg slope, 73 SA, 73.5 HA, 40 mm rake, and 7 cm BB drop). The steeper head tube and smaller rake always gives me the ride I like, stable but quick.

RED.....sniff sniff :cryin: I love red. very nice, you have done well.

Veni Vidi Vici

Llama, Eric_H and Veni thanks for the comments!

Eric,
I’m very impressed with Spectrum paint job. It was pretty exciting to see it as I unwrapped the frame, man … Carl sure knows how to wrap those frames tight. When you get your frame repainted you’ll definitely have to show us some before and after pics.

My original handlebar drop was 7cm on the Lemond, but a neck problem has resulted in a higher bar position (4cm drop). The Lemond’s balance didn’t feel right at the new bar’s position, so I’m hoping that the Strong’s 8cm BB drop will help without losing too much nimbleness, my first few rides look positive.