Black Mountain Cycles frame update…

Been a while since I’ve updated my the Black Mountain Cycles frame status. So, here’s the scoop. Even though I had initially created a bunch of frames (road, cross, track, 650b mountain bike, 29″ wheel mountain bike), I am going to offer the road and cross frames first. Who knows if I’ll get to the other frames. Maybe. Some day. The priority is the road and cross frames because those two frames really represent the focus of Black Mountain Cycles: steel frames, clearance for fat tires, ability to fit fenders, clean simple visual appeal, and after riding samples for many months, they are super fun bikes to ride.

Back to the scoop. The road and cross drawings are 100% approved. I had to make some minor tweaks to the drawings for the samples (they were about 95% dialed). I’ve given a rough order to the frame maker and now the next step is to wait for a delivery date and a final price so I can issue a formal purchase order. I’ve already provided an informal purchase order and, hopefully, they are using that to begin ordering raw materials and getting everything ready to go. I’ll know this coming week.

Regardless of the final quote, the frames will be $600 for frame and fork. They will include seat collars and any other part that attaches to the frame to make it a frame. In the case of the road frame, that includes the bb cable guide (that might seem like a no-brainer, but I’ve received frames from custom builders where they don’t supply the guide or seat clamp), stainless bolts for all braze-ons, and Shimano down tube shifter boss stops. The cross frame will include the two threaded cable stops for front derailleur and rear brake, horizontal dropout adjuster screws, and stainless bolts for braze-ons.

The frames will use a tubeset made by the main high-end tubing supplier in Taiwan. The tube specification will use a light, but not too light, tubeset. I’ve tested frames with the next step heavier tubeset and the next step lighter tubeset and I think this butted tube profile gives the optimum ride that I’m looking for. The frames will also be heat-treated which is an expensive. I could have gone without heat-treating and a heavier tubeset, but I just love how the bikes ride with this tubeset.

Colors. Colors will be the same as the samples. Orange for road, brown for cross. The brown has a very subtle metallic/pearl sheen to it. The decals will be under a clear powder coat that is nice an durable. I will order a second, limited quantity, color for each model because a few friends asked for a different color. The second color for the road frame will be a classic metallic (but not too metallic-y) champagne similar to an old Masi Gran Criterium I have. The cross frame’s second color will be the same orange as seen on the road frame.

Sizes: both frames will be available in 50, 53, 56, 59, and 62 centimeter frames. That’s measured from the center of the bb to the top of the seat tube. I’ll post exact geometry later.

When? I’m hoping they stick to their guns and I see frames in July. That seems optimistic, but stranger things have happened. I’m going to say July with a qualifier – maybe August.

How do you get yours? Soon, I will be offering an early-bird purchase deal. To folks who have been waiting and want to pre-order a frame, I’ll offer a special deal that could possibly include some sweet goodies with the frame price. I’ll post this in the coming week. For now, enjoy your Saturday. Hope you get out and ride.

The road bike

The cross bike

(What’s playing: Bobby Darin Fly Me To The Moon)