Big Dummy 2011: my build :)
 

OK, so it started. My BD frame saw the light of the day for the first time, a nice, sunny day actually, warmest since Christmas, and received anti-corrosion treatment. It was a perfect day for this since I have to do stuff like this outside so I couldn't have asked for a better day.

I couldn't find the JP Weigle's stuff anywhere so I used Rust-Oleum Rust Inhibitor ($4 at Home Depot). I sprayed it in into every opening, I used the thin, red straw (didn't come with it, but I had a stash, and the ones from WD40 etc., fit as well) to spray it into the small holes found through out the frame and the fork, and normal spray for all the other openings. I used a whole can. I sprayed it until it dripped from the other end. I sprayed it in into the same opening several times while flipping the frame around to make sure the stuff flows everywhere it can. Man this stuff stinks! I used a mask and rubber gloves.

I can't tell you how excited I am :D Although, my touring bike didn't sell so I'm striping it down now. I can use most of the drivetrain and brakes on the BD.

If nothing unexpected happens I think it should be ready in three weeks. I need to disassemble the touring bike and clean all the parts, plus I still need to order some more parts and accessories. If interested, check back here, I will document the build here as it progresses with lots of pictures.

Under each image there is a link to a large version.

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/01.jpg
Click here for a large image


http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/02.jpg
Click here for a large image

:thumb:

I fished taking apart the other bike so I was able to hang some parts on the BD... Yup, impatient... :D

Here it is on the stand:

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/03.jpg
Click here for large picture

Truvativ Isoflow ISIS crankset, I think its 22/32/44, Truvativ ISIS BB, with Sinz Pro pedals, Shimano Deore FD. All donated by the touring bike. Although, I realized that the FD is bottom-pull, not sure if it can used with top-pull, I might need another FD.

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/04.jpg
Click here for large picture

The new, shiny XTR RD that I scored for $79, I think it's 2009 model:

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/05.jpg
Click here for large picture

Race Face Ride dual-bolt seatpost, also came from the other bike:

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/06.jpg
Click here for large picture

Awesomesauce!! Can't wait to see you rolling on this thing!

Yeah. I'm sooo happy that the build finally started. I also found a confirmation that the Yuba bags work with Xtracycle racks, so that's the way I'm going. It also looks like the Yuba sidestand will work on BD as well. Xtracycle is out of the center kickstands and they're expensive anyway. And I somehow can't trust a regular kickstand. Although Vik says in his blog that he's using a cheap Grenfield kickstand with his BD.

Also, thanks to Vik's blog I found this cool Thorn accessory extension. I want to have a handlebar attached to my BD.

Ah! Finally a good spot for this sticker! It was too large for the tubes on my other bikes :D

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/MyB...6/small/07.jpg
Click here for large picture

That sticker is awesome!

I agree, that sticker rocks! Where did you get it?

There is/was a guy on eBay selling those. He had a whole series, not just for bikes: "Stay away from my tools" was another one I wanted. I've just searched and didn't find any :(

Edit:

Oh, wait! I found him! Seller ID: stickfigs. He has non-descriptive item name. Good thing I keep all my emails archived :) I bought this one at the end of 2009, it waited that long for its place!

Still a cool sticker, though it seems his customers aren't too happy with not getting their stickers. AU... that's Australia right? If he's shipping it air mail (guessing as it's the cheapest)... wow, that could take a long time to get here to the US.

Edit: What the heck? It says it's out of California, but only ships to Australia? I'm corn-fused.

2nd Edit: :D well it seems I was clicking on the wrong one...

Yeah, his feedback isn't that bad. With this many sales it's hard not to have some negatives. Some buyers are really impatient and dumb. It shouldn't take more than 7-10 days by mail.

Ha ha ha! I gotta get some of these:

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/sti...wsMyRiding.jpg
http://worldsbestbikestickers.com/
http://peacesupplies.org/

Those are pretty cool. I finally found the correct link on that guys site to get the correct stickers ordered. Hopefully it will be here in a few days.

V

too much stickers, not enough BD building. Kidding, those are cool stickers.

So are you going to commute this daily?

Hey! I installed RD, BB and a crankest and only on sticker (so far...) :D Can't help it, I like stickers!

I'm not sure yet. I'm keeping my commuter, it'll actually get some upgrades in Spring. The BD length will prevent it from getting on some elevators. So on days I need to stop by doctors office or something I will need to use a normal bike. But I will probably commute on it a lot if not mostly. Elevators at work are big and have room to keep it. If it rides the way people say it does I will probably be on it all the time :D I had a taste of steel frame with my Kona Sutra and there is definitely "something" to it. And this one is getting 2.25 Marathon XR tires! I'll do most my shopping on it and I will take it touring too. Basically, I want to ride as much as I can from now, kind of late new year's resolution. Since I don't care about speed but I like to carry stuff on the bike this will be more likely my primary ride for everything and the commuter bike will be a backup bike and the Sutra will eventually be rebuilt too, into a road bike probably if I want to take a faster ride with a club or something. I decided I don't want to sell bikes anymore, unless I really have to. I'll later regret it.

Eventually, the commuter might get a Troll frame and its current aluminum frame will become a front-susp XC bike. At least that's the plan for the future.


OK, now the wait for the parts...

Adam

Did you get any new parts yet? What's the next step for the BD you're working on? What direction are you planning on going with this, wide loaders, v racks?

Thanks for asking!
 

Yes, I received some parts over the last few days but I'm still waiting for more to come. So nothing has happened over the last couple of days. Pretty much everything has been ordered already though. We'll definitely see some progress on the weekend.

I'm not sure if I should give another Brooks saddle a shot. I tried B17 Narrow once it was a disaster.

I decided to keep that fancy XTR RD for unspecified future MTB build. I will swap it for all-black Deore RD that came off of my touring bike. I'm trying to avoid silver parts as much as possible :D Going for that Darth Vader look :) I will use black Deore dual action levers as well.

For the handlebar I was planning to go with a flat bar and Ergon grips. But I will experiment with my Modolo Yuma touring bar too, so not sure yet. If so, it'll get wrapped in black leather tape.

I also ordered this accessory for a handlebar bag.

I'm getting Vracks and wideloaders and some misc Goat's parts from dwnptrl_777. For the bags I will go with waterproof and cavernous Yuba GoGetters bags. On the front I will have small MEC lowrider racks and a pair of small waterproof Axiom panniers.

I will also try the Yuba Sidestand kickstand.

The wheels will be build around 36 hole Velocity Cliffhanger rims with Shimano XT hubs, fat 2.25 Schwalbe Marathon XR tires, Planet Bike Hardcore fenders.

Standard 3/9 Deore drivetrain, no IGH, Gore sealed derailleur cables, mechanical Avid BB7 brakes with 203mm rotors and Nokon compressionless cables (if I can get hold of them). Also dwnptrl_777 is sending me some metal housing for the rear brake that he has been using on The Goat.

Of course, as with my previous builds, it will be a while before it takes the final shape, if ever. I'm sure I will change things along the way.

Love where this thread is going.

Ha ha ha! But... do you mean that the thread will be going downhill really fast or that the thread will end with a splash? :D

That picture is too funny! I like the trekking bars, should be cool. I can't say that with the BD that side kickstand is the best, well, at least not for me and the area I live. I have too many area's with dirt paths and grass, so I think under load that would just sink right in and tip over. I could be wrong though and it may be the best thing ever.

The Yuba stand has a little "foot", that might help a bit. The Xtracycle is out of their double kickstand, besides it's expensive. And yeah, where I live it's mostly asphalt and concrete :(

The handlebars are very comfortable. Italian. Imported from Urop!

Yuba kickstand:

http://a-world.net/files/cycling/yuba/sidestand.jpg

If it has wideloaders then you can lay the BD on its side and it will support itself on the wideloader. That's why it's a good idea to have some rubber tubing or something attached to protect the wideloaders.

What about one of those "Pletscher" dual kickstands:

http://www.amazon.com/Pletscher-Two-.../dp/B000FR33ZM

I have one on my LHT and love it, though I'm not sure what type of load it can take.

I saw that too. I might try that if the Yuba kickstand doesn't work out.

I'm thinking your setup will probably be "ok" as you mentioned you live in a concrete jungle. So really you shouldn't have too many issues. I've seen some photo's where people just use their wide loader to support the bike, just lay it down and go about your business. If I ever build a BD and get the wide loaders I'll probably wrap them in some old road tires and zip tie them on. Might look crappy, but it's an easy way to protect that aluminum. If I can find the photo tonight I'll link to it or just upload it.

I do plan to take out of the city as often as I can, but yeah, I don't worry about the kickstand that much.

This is what dwnptrl_777 did, pieces of rubber hosing attached with zip ties:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/...523dff3d_b.jpg

More parts and stickers arrived today. I will mount the fork tomorrow.