Fillet Brazed Frame

I built a fillet brazed frame for myself last week. It was the first one I have ever built for myself.

I have helped about five others make one in my old frame building classes. And over the years made many practice joints, but never a bike for myself or any ANT customers. I am pretty happy with the way my fillets came out on my new bike and confident about making them for others now.

This is the first ANT I have been able to assemble for myself for a few years and all thanks to my friend Matt [who had taken a class back in 2014?]. Matt gifted me a tube set and it was only for fillet [or tig], so that got me set in that direction by chance.

My powder coating shops I use have been very backed up with work, so I decided to spray paint my bike with a rattle can [actually red primer with a matte clear coat]. I cleaned the frame very well, preheated with a heat gun and painted outside in the cold! Pretty easy for me since I painted many thousands of frames over my years! The color is just what I wanted. I love that rat rod primer look. While spray paint scratches easily that really does not bother me much, especially since it only cost me $10!

I assembled the bike with vintage components that I have been collecting over the year. Some bought or free from other projects. The new parts are rims, spokes, tires, tubes, fenders and bar tape. I have a soft spot for older parts that used when I was young. The end product looks and functions just the way I wanted. I just need a large rear saddle bag. I might add some small touring racks later, maybe..

This bike was also a project to build around the wider 650B x 48mm tires [which actually measure 42mm]. So the used a very wide fork crown and with longer and indented chain stays. I might need to use slightly bent chain stays, but this did clear pretty well and fit the fender fine. Might need more for mud build up, if you off road a lot in the…mud.

I only got a quick test ride in. It has been wicked cold and now we have a bunch of snow. I guess I am now kind of a fair weather rider and would rather hike in these conditions! When the snow clears and it gets above the 20s, then I will go ride 🙂

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Frame sets for sale

I have a two frame sets in the works that are for sale. One is complete and about to get powder coated and the other is prepped to be built. Interested? Please get in contact at antbikemike@gmail.com

• 56cm Rando/Touring frame-set. Fits up to 700 x 42mm tires. Currently no color right now, but will probably coat olive green [unless someone buys it and picks a color]. Pictures to come in a week. $1,975.00
• 58cm Rando/Touring frame-set [fillet brazed]. Fits up to 650b x 42mm tires. Not built yet, tubes prepped and of course no color yet, you decide : ) $1.975.00

“New Pricing Page”

A new pricing page has been added to the website. A bit different than previous offerings, but sure to be of interest. And linked here.

My new frame building class have been getting a lot of views and have signed up a few people. I have tweaked the tool list a bit more and think that this is one of the best classes out there for the first time hobby builder

While it has not been a very cold winter in Boston we have not been riding much. Hiking in our local wooded reservations have been our main outdoor activity. However we are looking forward to warmer days and riding the great off road paths we have here in MASS!