Jarrett2

Me too, if I ever make it out that way, I will stop by to shake his hand.

After building up his road frame last June, I got hooked on his frames. This time around I decided to get one built by the man himself.

Thanks again to @dr_lha for turning me on to them.

dr_lha

Mike Varley should be sending me a commission.

ColonelSanders

What will be the difference between your orange MonsterCross build and this new red one?

Jarrett2

Check out the frame differences here:

Frames - Black Mountain Cycles

Aside from the differences in the frame, it has gravel tires, more climbing gears, mini-V brakes, racks, possible fenders, etc.

ColonelSanders

Such a beautiful coloured frame.

ClydeTim

Isn't it?

Years ago I almost bought an emerald green Torelli with chromed fork crowns. It was $650 for the frame. I was on the verge of buying it but didn't. Now I kick myself as it was a beautiful paint job and lugged steel frame.

Looking at the black cherry paint sure reminds me of how I screwed up.

Jarrett2

Looks nice. Any idea what the writing on the top tube says?

mstateglfr 

Thanks!

The script says 'Black Mountain Cycles' in (i believe) Mandarin. He put it on there to recognize where the frames are built and show appreciation to the group who makes the frames.

ClydeTim

So these are foreign made frames? Though it was not posted, I got the wrong impression thinking they were domestic.

Jarrett2

That's pretty cool. I don't think mine has the same. Guess I'll find out Tuesday.

mstateglfr 

Huh, I thought all of them came with the top tube script. Interesting, I hadnt even noticed, but just based on a couple bikes in this thread it looks like not all versions have the script.

So mine is a V4. The V5 came stateside March or so of '16 with the Pacenti fork crown and different geometry sizing. The newest frames(yours, i would guess) is apparently called V5.2 and from what I read last year, they would effectively be the same as V5 but with different colors.
Interesting that the script was used up until V5. Wonder if it was on all the earlier versions or introduced after a version or two?

Ive read that the script literally translates to 'Black Mountain Self Propelled Vehicle'. Not sure if there is no word on Mandarin for 'Cycles' or what.

dr_lha

They're made in Taiwan, much like most of the bikes you can buy today. He also sells USA made versions of the frames, but unsurprisingly they cost a lot more.

dr_lha

Mine doesn't. I'm guessing yours won't either.

ClydeTim

Yeah, just about everything is made in Taiwan or other foreign places these days.

I read something about his shop in the bay area and assumed they were made here figuring it was a frame building shop.

dr_lha

Just like Apple, but better: Designed in California, Made in Taiwan.

mstateglfr 

Yeah, for sure foreign made. That was the Maxway reference on pg1...Maxway is a good steel frame builder in Taiwan.

As mentioned, they have a domestic frame that costs something like 3.5xmore money. Domestic steel, domestic machined bits, domestic built.

No chance the frame could be made domestically for the price they are sold.

I grew up riding japanese and taiwan built bikes and have a fascination and love for japanese frame building and component history. Because of that, i have no issue buying a frame made over there. Especially when its designed and sold by a small business owner here stateside.

But i get the desire to buy something thats built here.

ColonelSanders

I realise a USA made frame would be dearer, but 3.5x dearer?

ClydeTim

I saw that and should have looked it up. Never heard of it and after seeing so many riders on Strava from so many cities I have never heard of, I just assumed it was another domestic city. Now I know!

trail_monkey

Those are some really nice bikes. Myself....I am a big Soma fan and looking at these bikes on this thread reminds me of certain models on the Soma Blog with their fancy vintage racks etc. Soma also has their frames manufactured in Taiwan and it is my understanding that other than USA made customs, Taiwan builds the better frames by far compared to China which usually builds frames for cheaper models. If I was in the market and had the money I most certainly would consider a Black Mountain frame just for some variety. Beautiful!!!!

Jarrett2

In general, I like to buy US-built products when I can. So with cycling, I got hooked on that concept for a while too. I bought and rode a few US-built frames. Then comparing them to the Black Mountain Taiwan-built road frame, I liked the Taiwanese stuff better and they are considerably less expensive. So I sold off my US built stuff and kept the Black Mountain Cycles road frame and bought one of their cross bikes as well.

Jarrett2

My new 2017 Black Mountain Cycles MonsterCross build:

16444056_10210069480347004_1313633495_o.jpg

trailangel

That's it? Just one drive side pic?

blitzo

Don't post anymore pics Jarret or I might have to buy a BMC monstercross in addition to my road frame.

mstateglfr 

Come on now- lets see more! How bout the Pacenti fork crown?

Jarrett2

It's all dirty now