Some of you might not know what a bi-laminate bike is and that’s fine. They’re not too common unless you specifically follow other custom bike builders. Bi-laminate construction is basically using both a lug and brass filler to create a unique joint for the tubes. It’s pretty much an excuse for the builder to try something that is different and will be appreciated by other steel bicycle aficionados. Tom is one of those aficionados. Tom has spent most of his life on bikes and is that guy who has the bike room in his house with the stable of beautiful bicycles. He was looking for a comfortable road bike with a position that could be modified to accommodate his changing riding style. For this bike I slackened the head tube angle and increased the fork offset to achieve the proper fit while still being able to use fenders and a 100mm stem. He provided almost all the Campagnolo Record components. The beauty of the Record components with the clean lines of the frame earned this bike a tie for first place at this year’s Cirque du Cyclisme.
Some of the other details on this bike include a polished stainless chainstay, seat stay caps, and front derailleur hanger. The brakes are medium reach IRD brand which allowed for clearance for some narrow Honjo fenders. The stainless brake bridge mount for the fender was carved to match the curvature of the lug edges. There are hand painted black details on the inside of the fork crown, the front derailleur braze-on, and the stainless chainstay. The Cinelli Giro d’Italia handlebar and steel stem came from a 1968 Schwinn Paramount but were in sad shape. I polished them both and then had the stem re-chromed and fabricated new hardware. The shine of the chrome complements the gleam of the titanium Campagnolo Record post nicely.
The fork on this bike is one of the straightest I have ever made. This is a result of Tom generously donating a unique Tecnal fork alignment table to me. It was originally used at A.A. Vittorio Cycles in Woonsocket, RI who was the importer of Grandis bicycles from Italy in the 80s and 90s. This tool has a history here in Rhode Island, which I greatly appreciate. It will continue to get plenty of use in my shop for many years to come.
See the full slideshow of pictures.
Tom’s bi-laminate road bike
May 20, 2014
Some of you might not know what a bi-laminate bike is and that’s fine. They’re not too common unless you specifically follow other custom bike builders. Bi-laminate construction is basically using both a lug and brass filler to create a unique joint for the tubes. It’s pretty much an excuse for the builder to try something that is different and will be appreciated by other steel bicycle aficionados. Tom is one of those aficionados. Tom has spent most of his life on bikes and is that guy who has the bike room in his house with the stable of beautiful bicycles. He was looking for a comfortable road bike with a position that could be modified to accommodate his changing riding style. For this bike I slackened the head tube angle and increased the fork offset to achieve the proper fit while still being able to use fenders and a 100mm stem. He provided almost all the Campagnolo Record components. The beauty of the Record components with the clean lines of the frame earned this bike a tie for first place at this year’s Cirque du Cyclisme.
Some of the other details on this bike include a polished stainless chainstay, seat stay caps, and front derailleur hanger. The brakes are medium reach IRD brand which allowed for clearance for some narrow Honjo fenders. The stainless brake bridge mount for the fender was carved to match the curvature of the lug edges. There are hand painted black details on the inside of the fork crown, the front derailleur braze-on, and the stainless chainstay. The Cinelli Giro d’Italia handlebar and steel stem came from a 1968 Schwinn Paramount but were in sad shape. I polished them both and then had the stem re-chromed and fabricated new hardware. The shine of the chrome complements the gleam of the titanium Campagnolo Record post nicely.
The fork on this bike is one of the straightest I have ever made. This is a result of Tom generously donating a unique Tecnal fork alignment table to me. It was originally used at A.A. Vittorio Cycles in Woonsocket, RI who was the importer of Grandis bicycles from Italy in the 80s and 90s. This tool has a history here in Rhode Island, which I greatly appreciate. It will continue to get plenty of use in my shop for many years to come.