Update: October 2008
Not long after my last update I broke the frame.
Rivendell was very good about replacing it, so now I have an Orange Quickbeam, which Rivendell say is a bit beefier than the old one.
I have it set up pretty much the same, except I put on Avid V-Brakes, actuated by Tektro 520 Long Pull road levers.
It's still my favorite bike!
Update: May 2007 I've had the Quickbeam not quite two years, and I love it as much as ever. I've settled into a pattern of using it and have most of the equipment dialed in. It is my primary commuter, and bike of choice for solo rides of up to about 60 miles and anything multi surface. I run it singlespeed about 60 percent of the time and fixed the rest. On longer rides, rides I know are going to be really hilly, and faster group rides I still choose my geared bike. I've dropped the bars back down so the tops are about 1 cm above the seat level. I still ride mostly in the drops. I bought a Level rear hub and built a solid rear wheel for off road fixing and freewheeling. I'm very happy with it.
 | Commuter Mode. Fenders are OK as long as I don't have to drop into the 32x18 bail out gear. Then they are just aggravating, so that idea needs work. I almost always keep Panaracer Pasela 37s on it. Soft and cushy. Much more durable than the Nokian 35 cross tires which were VERY flat prone. I'm going to try some Kenda Kwick Rollers in 32 and 45 as soon as I scrape together the (suprisingly small amount of) cash needed to get them. |
 | When I'm doing a lot of off road, I use Mutanoraptor 44s. Fat and knobby. |
Update: August 2005 I switched out the WTB Offroad Drop bar and the stem from my Fuji. I really have the bars up high in order to get my hands to where they would be if I was using Flat bars (pretty much even with my seat). This prevents the "I feel like I'm going to fly over my bars" feeling your get when doing steep descents using drop bars.
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I'd been looking for a while for a bike to be used as an adventure bike, and to replace my mountain bike. My definition of adventure bike is one that can be used both off and on road, in most conditions, comfortable enough for all day riding, and capable of carrying a light camping load. I had originally been looking at a 29 incher MTB, but, strangely enough, I was going to set it up with the same sort of drive train as is on the QB. During my search for a bike I found this QB at Acme Bicycles in Rapid City South Dakota. After a bit of waffling, I decided this was the one for me. It was great to work with Tim Rangitsch of Acme.
Quickbeam is designed by Grant Peterson of Rivendell Bicycle Works, and made by Panasonic in Japan. Mine came stock except for the tires which I had switched out for more off-road capable ones, and there was bar tape already on the bars.
I really like it. All my other bikes are barely touched since I got it.
Here it is:
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Here are the specifications for the bike.
| Stock on Bike | |
| Frame | Color: Testors Beret Green Braze-ons: 2 water bottle, internal rear rack mounts, single eyelets on front & rear dropout Tire Clearance: Up to 44c Rear Spacing: 120mm with custom track dropout 52mm slot |
| Brakes | Shimano CT-91 Canti front & rear |
| Crank | Sugino 110/74 bcd with 32/40 rings and chain-guard |
| Rear Hub | Flip-flop Suzue high flange with sealed bearings, threaded for freewheel both sides. 32h |
| Front Hub | Suzue high flange. 32h |
| Rims | Araya |
| Stem | Nitto Tech Delux |
| Bars | Nitto Noodle |
| Seatpost | Nitto Crystal Fellow |
| Brake levers | Shimano Tiagra |
| Freewheel | Shimano 18t |
| Headset | Tange |
| Bottom Bracket | ?? but I suspect some type of Shimano. |
| Added by Acme Bicycles | |
| Tires | Stock tires are Pasela 700 x 35, but I substituted Nokian 35c Cross tires, and Tim generously threw in a pair of Pacela 37 tires as well. |
| Bar Tape | Cork |
| I added: | |
| Saddle | Brooks B17 |
| Pedals | Shimano 324 |
| Brake Pads | Replaced the stock with Kool Stop Salmon pads. |
| Fixed Cog | 17t Dura Ace |
| Rear LED Light | Trek brand, I think. |
| Saddlebag | Carradice Nelson Longflap from my Fuji. |
| Bottle Cage | Blackburk B72 from my retired Giant MTB. |
| Pump | Blackburn |
| Other changes I will/might add in the future. | |
| Third Wheelset | Really thinking about a dynohub front and 3 speed rear for randoneering use. |
| Front Rack | Nitto M 12? |
| Front Bag | Something like a Rivendell boxy or Berthoud for when I do tours. |
| Studded Tires | For winter commuting and offroad use. |
| Quickbeam Geometry | |
| Seat Tube Angle | 72 |
| Head Tube Angle | 72.5 |
| Fork Rake | 45 |
| BB Drop | 73mm |
| TT Upslope | 2 degrees |
Links to other Quickbeam Pictures and sites.