Velo Orange Polyvalent — And Now for Something Completely Different
With Velo Orange introducing an affordable “multi-purpose” 650B oriented frameset called the Polyvalent, we thought it appropriate to see what kinda of “multi” we could make out of it.
Inspiration is often accidental. As we are apt to do, during our weekly survey of the blogosphere, we came across this vintage photo from the Old Spokes Home Blog. That photo, along with the accompanying article on a couple of Scorcher build-ups, was the push we needed in the right direction.
It had been a while since we pondered a Scorcher build-up, but with the “Hot Rod Black” paint on the Polyvalent and the plump 650B tires available, we felt a Retro Dropbar Backroads 650b Fixie Steel Scorcher (did you get all that?) would be perfect. Plus, we figure sooner or later somebody will have to do it, so it might as well be us.
Anyway, here we go:
A custom build option for Velo Orange Polyvalent ... the off-road fixie retrogrouch special.
Build Details → http://bit.ly/VOScorcher
13 Photos
Some of the more geeky details are:
- 57cm Velo Orange Polyvalent frameset
- Custom Velocity wheelset — 36-spoked 650b Synergy rims mated to Velocity high flange flip/flop track hubs.
- Sugino RD2 Track crankset
- Nitto Technomic Deluxe stem and Nitto DirtDrop handlebars
- Tektro CR720 Canti brakes with Soma Inverse levers
- MKS GR-9 pedals with MKS half-clips
Now that we’ve had it out for a few test rides, we like the end product. It’s fast and fun on the road, but it is especially nice on gravel and mixed terrain. The low dropbar position isn’t great for serious off-roads bumps, but is feels smooth and controlled on loose gravel and flowing single-track.
And yes, we will soon have the Velo Orange Polyvalent for sale via Renaissance Bicycles. For the Scorcher bike as pictured, the price is around $1550. And of course, that allows for some selections to your liking as well. More details to follow soon.
11 Responses to “Velo Orange Polyvalent — And Now for Something Completely Different”
Great ideas! I don’t think inspiration can be accidental. It seems so because of hard work, proper mind-feeding and pure joy create fertile grounds where anything can grow. Anyhow, congrats on how you communicate your work (which i dig a lot). I keep tabs on you for inspiration, and now that my everyday bike got stolen its time for me to dream and plan.
Good day Bryan.
Nice bike dude.
Nice! Is that a VO seat? Think you should consider the Soma Urban Cross Levers for brakes on this (http://store.somafab.com/urcrle.html). Those Tektros look a bit hangey and although they leave a nice line on the handle bar they’re way out of the functional zone on the bottom of the drops. Plus the Somas will disappear with some black cork tape and give you a nice clean bar line. My 2¢.
Actually … this is just version 1 of 2. We are working on a flatbar, 8-speed, fendered, more city-ish alternative. It should be ready for ogling in the near future.
Sweet!! I’d buy one.
And soon you’ll be able to … we’re planning on adding this to our “standard” builds for the Polyvarent.
LOL! I am sure that the Polyvalent off-road fixie was not what Velo orange envisioned when they created that frame. Good job way to think outside the commuter box. How much would that bike be as built?
– from a customer’s email
I just got one of these. What length bb spindle did you use? I Tried a 118 mm and it is too short. I am thinking a 125 or even a 127 may be needed.
@ Lee –
Actually, with the Sugino RD2 Track crankset, we used the matching Sugino Messenger 103mm bottom bracket. With a 2mm spacer on the rear hub, the chainline is perfect.
Nice build! Where did you find Nitto Dirt drops? Or are those the 176 or 177s?
Actually, they are the re-released Dirt Drops called the RM-013. We can get ‘em if you are interested.
Please Leave a Comment
You can also follow the discussion by subscribing to the Comments RSS Feed.