What’s the story with Wabi?
#26
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wabi_damon I appreciate what you are trying to do here, and as mentioned earlier I had a good experience ordering a wheel from y’all. Just know that every single thread on this forum turns into a pissing match. You can’t win. That said, I think it’s commendable to be so transparent on here.
i have no dog in this hunt, just kinda tired of so much negativity these days. Sounds like all parties in this thread have valid points. Let’s just all ride and/or sell bikes as best we can.
edit: also shout out to Scrod, of course, for always being transparent as well.
i have no dog in this hunt, just kinda tired of so much negativity these days. Sounds like all parties in this thread have valid points. Let’s just all ride and/or sell bikes as best we can.
edit: also shout out to Scrod, of course, for always being transparent as well.
Last edited by walnutz; 07-10-20 at 10:37 AM.
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#27
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I bought a Wabi late last year. It’s a great, great bike and Damon was super helpful with answering my questions.
The spiteful comments and weird airing of dirty laundry, I don’t get it. Seems tacky. But hey, I’m not involved, and I guess it’s entertaining?
The spiteful comments and weird airing of dirty laundry, I don’t get it. Seems tacky. But hey, I’m not involved, and I guess it’s entertaining?
#28
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But in front of customers? It usually backfires, which has led to lost business.
Matter of fact, one of our long term competitors would tell our customers that the machines they bought from us were pieces of crap. One time right in front of me and the customer as I'm servicing a machine. I just let him dig his own grave as he wasn't allowed back in after that. That particular competing company went out of business in 2009 and it turned out that whole company acted like that.
I ran across a few of the same trash talkers on service calls after 2009 and their manner had changed considerably. Having to work from home self employed with no steady paycheck seemed to force some humility upon them.
#29
Retro-nerd
My friend had the best fixed gear shop in Atlanta (out of business ). He had quite an inventory of frames mostly Kazane, Surly, Cinelli, even FBM oops...but found most Hipsters couldn’t stand having a track bike that looked like everyone else’s. So, his frames just sat there. Most customers brought in their own sought after unique steel frames and he set them up as fixed gear.
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Would you like a dream with that?
Would you like a dream with that?
Last edited by georgiaboy; 07-11-20 at 10:01 PM.
#30
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What the hell is all this Wabi bashing?
Here is my experience:
I ordered a Special last year on Black Friday. Free Sub-15 wheels, Deluxe freewheel (as good as WI in my opinion and they should post a better picture of it as well, in person you can tell it's high quality, the pic on the website sucks), and I think some Conti Ultra Sport tires.
I received an email notice with tracking # on a Saturday night, which told me someone was working on Saturday night which was impressive. It was then I realized I had accidentally ordered the wrong size. Freaking out, I sent an email explaining the situation praying someone would see it in time. Having worked in retail I knew the box was probably sitting there at the shop and would be picked up by UPS sometime Monday. I was also kind of worried because there is no actual phone number I could have called on Monday.
First thing on Monday I got a reply, they didn't let the box go out and they charged me a small amount, like $25 or something, to change sizes since they would have to build up another bike due to my mistake. Then when I finally get the bike and inspect it I see it's 100x nicer than I thought it would be. Right up there with $2000 hand-built framesets I've had in the past.
Now I have a bunch of geared bikes I never ride anymore, all I need for the rest of my life is my Wabi. So that's my experience.
Here is my experience:
I ordered a Special last year on Black Friday. Free Sub-15 wheels, Deluxe freewheel (as good as WI in my opinion and they should post a better picture of it as well, in person you can tell it's high quality, the pic on the website sucks), and I think some Conti Ultra Sport tires.
I received an email notice with tracking # on a Saturday night, which told me someone was working on Saturday night which was impressive. It was then I realized I had accidentally ordered the wrong size. Freaking out, I sent an email explaining the situation praying someone would see it in time. Having worked in retail I knew the box was probably sitting there at the shop and would be picked up by UPS sometime Monday. I was also kind of worried because there is no actual phone number I could have called on Monday.
First thing on Monday I got a reply, they didn't let the box go out and they charged me a small amount, like $25 or something, to change sizes since they would have to build up another bike due to my mistake. Then when I finally get the bike and inspect it I see it's 100x nicer than I thought it would be. Right up there with $2000 hand-built framesets I've had in the past.
Now I have a bunch of geared bikes I never ride anymore, all I need for the rest of my life is my Wabi. So that's my experience.
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#31
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Apparently you forgot when they marketed their fine bikes as, OMG, "FIXIES" Definitely got many of the FG purists panties in a tizzy with that one.
Hey, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm glad they post it, whatever it is. The background stories from those in the know are cool too. The bikes will either continue to sell or they won't. I'm guessing the company will get along just fine.
Hey, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm glad they post it, whatever it is. The background stories from those in the know are cool too. The bikes will either continue to sell or they won't. I'm guessing the company will get along just fine.
#32
ABQ
They lost a bunch of credibility IMO when Z Gallardo became their YouTube spokesperson. For somebody who acts like Mr. Know it All, he doesn't even have a proper set of tools, much less know how to use them when they are handed to him. Hanging a bike from a tree limb to "work on it", tightening a crankbolt with a hand held allen wrench, etc----there are plenty of cringe worthy "maintenance tips."
#33
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WabiScrobi?
It would be nice to have a reliable company that makes high zoot steel fixed gears and single speed road and gravel bikes. Not just more generic stuff but some classy stainless jobbers maybe Columbus XCr or Reynolds 953? Also something that can take Sugino 75s and other track cranks, brakes front and rear and a standard two bottle cages for road and three for gravel at least. Would rather have the bosses and not use them then not have them.
It would be nice to have a reliable company that makes high zoot steel fixed gears and single speed road and gravel bikes. Not just more generic stuff but some classy stainless jobbers maybe Columbus XCr or Reynolds 953? Also something that can take Sugino 75s and other track cranks, brakes front and rear and a standard two bottle cages for road and three for gravel at least. Would rather have the bosses and not use them then not have them.
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#34
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They lost a bunch of credibility IMO when Z Gallardo became their YouTube spokesperson. For somebody who acts like Mr. Know it All, he doesn't even have a proper set of tools, much less know how to use them when they are handed to him. Hanging a bike from a tree limb to "work on it", tightening a crankbolt with a hand held allen wrench, etc----there are plenty of cringe worthy "maintenance tips."
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#35
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#37
ABQ
It's not a matter of modest tool budgets--it's a matter of correctly installing parts. You don't finger tighten lug nuts on a car wheel do you?
#38
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Below are two hand held 8mms I have on hand. One is a socket type mounted on a Craftsman 3/8" ratchet. I can hit over 60 Nm in torque* with either one, even though I'm middle aged and not as strong as I use to be.
*Checked by removing same bolts with my beam type torque wrench.
#39
Senior Member
I breezed through the video TejanoTrackie showed. Looks like the vid is edited before showing any real effort put into tightening the crank bolts.
Below are two hand held 8mms I have on hand. One is a socket type mounted on a Craftsman 3/8" ratchet. I can hit over 60 Nm in torque* with either one, even though I'm middle aged and not as strong as I use to be.
*Checked by removing same bolts with my beam type torque wrench.
Below are two hand held 8mms I have on hand. One is a socket type mounted on a Craftsman 3/8" ratchet. I can hit over 60 Nm in torque* with either one, even though I'm middle aged and not as strong as I use to be.
*Checked by removing same bolts with my beam type torque wrench.
Dave
#40
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One of the things I do for work is change out guillotine knife blades (on customers hydraulic cutters) using 8 mm or 10 mm T-wrench allens. These blades are usually 30" to 65" long. I hate following up behind someone stronger than myself, because the high torque snap release of an allen wrench in the hands is something I dread. You feel it to the bone.
#41
Senior Member
Not pain free. Sharp allen wrench edges tend to really bite the hand at high effort. That ratchet is much easier on the hand, even though the leverage is the same.
One of the things I do for work is change out guillotine knife blades (on customers hydraulic cutters) using 8 mm or 10 mm T-wrench allens. These blades are usually 30" to 65" long. I hate following up behind someone stronger than myself, because the high torque snap release of an allen wrench in the hands is something I dread. You feel it to the bone.
One of the things I do for work is change out guillotine knife blades (on customers hydraulic cutters) using 8 mm or 10 mm T-wrench allens. These blades are usually 30" to 65" long. I hate following up behind someone stronger than myself, because the high torque snap release of an allen wrench in the hands is something I dread. You feel it to the bone.
The blades you are describing sounds a lot like what we use to cut coils of steel at work. Do you work in the steel industry by chance? I can only imagine the amount of torque needed to secure one of those babies!
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#42
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I prefer a socketed ratchet too. Definitely a lot easier to loosen bolts (I use that to loosen, and a torque wrench to tighten).
The blades you are describing sounds a lot like what we use to cut coils of steel at work. Do you work in the steel industry by chance? I can only imagine the amount of torque needed to secure one of those babies!
The blades you are describing sounds a lot like what we use to cut coils of steel at work. Do you work in the steel industry by chance? I can only imagine the amount of torque needed to secure one of those babies!
I work on finishing equipment that handles that paper or plastic and gear driven or hydraulic guillotine cutters are just one of the types of machines I work on.
Here's an example of one with a 92 cm cutting width, but with hex bolts securing the knife instead of Allen bolts. Still use a long T-wrench to reach the bolts. Although, I've met a man in his upper 60s that has resorted to using a battery powered impact driver.
Last edited by FiftySix; 08-03-20 at 05:23 PM.
#43
Senior Member
Not steel. Paper and plastic sheets, which means I get to spend most of my time wrenching in A/C.
I work on finishing equipment that handles that paper or plastic and gear driven or hydraulic guillotine cutters are just one of the types of machines I work on.
Here's an example of one with a 92 cm cutting width, but with hex bolts securing the knife instead of Allen bolts. Still use a long T-wrench to reach the bolts. Although, I've met a man in his upper 60s that has resorted to using a battery powered impact driver.
https://youtu.be/unN7b9Y_4PU
I work on finishing equipment that handles that paper or plastic and gear driven or hydraulic guillotine cutters are just one of the types of machines I work on.
Here's an example of one with a 92 cm cutting width, but with hex bolts securing the knife instead of Allen bolts. Still use a long T-wrench to reach the bolts. Although, I've met a man in his upper 60s that has resorted to using a battery powered impact driver.
https://youtu.be/unN7b9Y_4PU
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#44
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Below are two hand held 8mms I have on hand. One is a socket type mounted on a Craftsman 3/8" ratchet. I can hit over 60 Nm in torque* with either one, even though I'm middle aged and not as strong as I use to be.
*Checked by removing same bolts with my beam type torque wrench.
*Checked by removing same bolts with my beam type torque wrench.
Also, the video does not show the pedal spindles being properly tightened in the crank arms, which is just as problematic as undertightened crank arm bolts.
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#45
Senior Member
The loosening torque will be higher that the tightening torque, because you have to initially overcome the static friction force between the bolt head and the crank arm. Still, I suspect that you probably achieved the recommended 30 lb-ft (40 Nm) tightening torque for the crank arm bolt.
Also, the video does not show the pedal spindles being properly tightened in the crank arms, which is just as problematic as undertightened crank arm bolts.
Also, the video does not show the pedal spindles being properly tightened in the crank arms, which is just as problematic as undertightened crank arm bolts.
Dave
#46
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I wasn’t suggesting 30 lb-ft (360 lb-in) for the pedals, just the crank arm bolts. I usually tighten my pedals to 20 lb-ft (240 lb-in). Also, you’ll strip the aluminum crank arm threads before you strip the steel pedal threads.
#47
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Dave
#48
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They're getting some nicer pictures up now. I like the new blue Classic color.
https://wabicycles.com/collections/f...et-summer-2020
https://wabicycles.com/collections/f...et-summer-2020
#49
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Yeah, the Wabi Classic frameset is back in stock, now listed as the 2020 Wabi Classic. The price has increased by $45 to $495, but it is still lower than comparable framsets such as the Soma Rush and All City Big Block.
#50
Senior Member
Darn! No 49cm frames for us short people. It's height discrimination!!!