The bike is now rideable! Last couple details are I need to set up the dynamo lights and install fenders! Detail photos to come once it's completely finished.
Frame:
Ebisu All Purpose
Fork/Headset:
Ebisu All Purpose / Rene Herse Ultimate headset
Crankset/Bottom Bracket:
Rene Herse Cranks 42/26
Pedals:
MKS Allways EZY
Drivetrain/Cog/Chainring/Chain:
Shimano cassette 11-36
Derailleurs/Shifters:
Suntour FD / Shimano LX M580 Rapid Rise RD / Rivendell Silver downtube shifters
Saddle/Seatpost:
Ergon / Nitto NJSP72 Jaguar Seatpost
Brakes:
Gran Compe Aero Levers / Grand Bois Chouette centerpull brakes
Front Wheel/Hub/Tire:
SON Deluxe Wide Body Hub / Grand Bois Papillon Rim 28h / Grand Bois Hetre tire 650bx42
Rear Wheel/Hub/Tire:
Onyx Racing Vesper hub / Grand Bois Papillon Rim 32h / Grand Bois Hetre tire 650bx42
Accessories:
Crane Bell, Tomii Cycles bar end plugs, custom Ebisu randonneur rack, Rene Herse frame-mounted dynamo tail light, SON Edelux dynamo front light
Bike History
Click a link below to see past stages of this bike.
Current Stage Info:
The bike is now rideable! Last couple details are I need to set up the dynamo lights and install fenders! Detail photos to come once it's completely finished.
Added by 20200605. Last updated 26 days ago.
5 Comments
Photos
qwixoticle says:
So beautiful, really excited to see how this build develops. I also was considering direct-mount centerpulls for my Bilenky randonneur, but I ultimately wanted to run 650bx48mm tires w/ fenders, and unfortunately Herse centerpulls would have been maxed out. How was it working with Ebisu?
Posted about 2 months ago
20200605 says:
Thanks! I saw your in-progress Bilenky - those lugs look amazing. Working with Hiroshi at Jitensha Studios was overall really smooth. One thing I found a little odd but not a big deal is that he wouldn't answer certain questions, like he wanted to keep the information secret for some reason. For example, I was curious who in japan builds the Ebisu frames for him (which I can understand him wanting to keep secret) but I also wanted to know more about the frame geometry (like specific measurements beyond just seattube height and top tube lenght) that he was designing for me but he wouldn't share a geometry chart. I decided to just trust him with it!
Posted about 2 months ago
qwixoticle says:
Thanks! Yeah, I was stoked that he had basically the exact frame components I would've ideally chosen there in his workshop, as those Rivendell lugs haven't been produced for over 20 years (as far as I know). That is a bit strange re. not sharing the frame drawing, I guess it's just a specific mentality of "I'm the artisan, you're just the customer" which I'm not specifically against if it means that the initial brief for the project is fulfilled. I would be lying if I said the process with Bilenky has been smooth and transparent. What was the turnaround for this project between placing the order and delivery?
Posted about 2 months ago
20200605 says:
Yeah totally. I know that in Japanese culture there is definitely that mentality you described. Interesting, I'm surprised to hear that the process with Bilenky hasn't been as smooth as one would expect. For the Ebisu, the turnaround was a few months - I sent my first email contacting them at the end of October the frame details were finalized by the end of November. Frameset finished and in my hands by early February.
Posted about 1 month ago
qwixoticle says:
I'm happy for you that the process was so smooth! I'll stay mum on it other than that Bilenky must be having some serious personal issues, because everyone that I've managed to talk to who has had an order since the pandemic has experienced significant delays. I wanted to work with an OG, but if I were to do it all over again, I'd probably go with an operation like Ebisu! Will definitely be following this build.
Posted about 1 month ago