Weekend Update

Well this week was quiet as our 9 to 5 jobs got the best of us. Andrew's road frame is at the painter's, Mo's is at the powder coat, and Cody has been working with Bill and Mary on designs for our next two builds. Bill design calls for a curved top tube, so this week we worked on bending tubes. First, we gave a try with a cheep rolling tubing bender and although it was able to bend the tubes, it also ovalized the tube as was run through the rollers. We used the 1 1/2 inch rollers that came with the bender and I will really need to machine up some 1 1/8 inch rollers to prevent the tube from being flattened. Here is a shot of Mo rolling a bend into the tube.



I have also have another method for bending tubes that I want to try, so we picked up some 3/4 inch plywood and so far have been able to construct the wooded base curve to bend the tubes on. It is three layers thick, with a routed groove in the center for the tube to sit in and is based on a 24 inch radius circle. Here are some construction shots:





We still have to add a base plate to the curve, a strap to hold the tube in place and then we will give it a try. I have some straight gauge 4130 on the way and will take some photos of the bending process with it.

Big props to one of our customers, Jackson Smith, who started the Arizona Trail 300 on Friday on his True Fab 29er and is so far doing well in the race. Here is some links to track his progress:

http://www.topofusion.com/azt/race.php
http://trackleaders.com/aztr
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=eaed8d9e148db62599f8ba34770f7bb0&topic=753.40

Keep on rolling there Jackson, we all are watching your spot tracker go!!