Victoria Cycles

Victoria Cycles had a booth up at the San Diego Custom Bicycle Show and i spotted this fine bike.

The bike is a mens medium or a 23" top tube with about a 16" seat tube because of the curved top tube. x

The head angle is 71 degrees and the seat tube is about 72 or 73.
It is columbus zona with 4130 aircraft tubing on the top tube and seat stays.
The frame is just over five pounds and the fork is about 1.5 lb
After spending a weekend drooling over the bike i thought about having one of my own built. So as soon as i contacted Dave of Victoria i sent out a deposit.

julian

i planned to ride to julian today and stay overnight then ride home but i got tired about 8 miles short to my destination. i wimped out and turned around. it was still a nice road day trip.

something happened somewhere

peanut butter sammich

sojourn

i traded my masi road bike for this rig set up. i road home with the yakima half full and barely noticed it.

2008 raleigh sojourn with some extras.

first mock up

raleigh clubman

i bought a 2009 raleigh clubman today for this sort of thing. i had it left over a work and i sold my folding bike to get money for it. ive never ridden a frame this big (57cm) im 5'10'' with a 32'' inseam and standover is about an inch of room. i swapped the 100mm stem for a 90mm, put the silver post on and mustache bars as well as the 25mm gatorskins.

i wanted a touring bike but with more of a road style so i ended up with a roadie thats ready for an occasional tour. the frame has rear rack mounts, fender mounts and room for a 28mm tire with fenders or a 35mm tire and no fenders. i hope i can pack lightly enough to use the rear rack and a large handle bar bag. i do agree with how i should even out the weight but if can keep my packing weight down it may not be an issue.

as for the mustache bars and shifting action its alot better then i imagined. i thought it would very awkward but it actually feels very comfy and nice. if anything it feels weird having gears in general but they are needed for what i have planned.