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Just picked up my new Bfe frame and will be building it up this afternoon.
Have to say just by first impressions it looks to be really good quality !!!
will post picks of the build later.
oh and the green is stunning 
Big thumbs up to Cy for putting up with all my emails !!
photos please
It's certainly a striking colour!!
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looks really nice in the flesh.
will post up photos later
That's a bit sudden, isn't it? 😯
I like...!
Your LBS window ledges need a clean.
Nice - looking forward to the build pics.
What are the tubing changes on the new BFe? It only mentions 853 and some other tubing now - has it been lightened?
The top tube grpahic looks a bit ropey, as do the tubing decals on the downtube. Put them on the seat tube!!
Nice colour though
honourablegeorge
Think the changes are a 30.9mm seat tube for dropper compatability and a 44mm headtube to allow for 1 1/8, tapered and 1.5 steerers.
Already had a 30.9 seat tube.
Newness is (IIRC) the 44mm headtube, a replaceable rear mech hanger, different dropouts, new graphics and THAT green.
slainte ❓ rob
Rusty Mac - Member
honourablegeorgeThink the changes are a 30.9mm seat tube for dropper compatability and a 44mm headtube to allow for 1 1/8, tapered and 1.5 steerers.
I knew about that lot, I just meant the materials it's made form - used to be 620 and other Reynolds tubees in it, I thought?
My bad sorry
Looks very nice indeed, I'm envious.
Here it is
Old BFe
Reynolds 853 down tube forms the backbone of the chassis, its incredible strength allowing us to keep the weight down, whilst 853's air-hardening little brother Reynolds 631 steps in for top tube, seat tube and head tube duties
New BFe
Reynolds 853 DZB (Dual Zone Butt) down tube forms the backbone of the chassis, its incredible strength and butting technology allowing us to keep the weight down. The top tube, seat tube and head tube duties use our new high strength Fm heat treated cromoly for outstanding durability. This is a Cotic designed tubeset with all our signature features.
One less Reynolds badge for the new one, then. I can still remember the excitement (it's probably 25 years ago now) of getting my first Reynolds steel bike (A Raleigh Eclipse). Less of the frame being made of Reynolds steel feels like a downgrade to me - probably in name only, though.
Seat tube is 31.6
Your LBS window ledges need a clean.
I'll tell Brian The Windae Cleaner that his cleaning of them yesterday is not to your high standards...
He has big fists and had tattoos n stuff.
Seat tube is 31.6
The haed tube is 44mm isn't it ?
Please tell me i got at least 1 thing right 😳
*Wanders off to the corner to have stern words with himself.
Well that's fudged it!
Bottom bracket has just threaded !
Looks like the frame has beenfaced but one side of my bb has just threaded !
No riding for me today then .........
LBS want 25 quid for a bb and 20 to fit.
Does that sound reasonable ?
Did you cock up putting the BB in? And they want 20 quid to fix it?
LOVE that green, but that sticker on the TT would have to go...
Prezet I thought the bb had been chased and faced as it looked like it had but went to fit the non drive side cup it didn't go in straight and as I removed it it has stripped the threads on the bb not the frame.
Frame threads have a bit of paint in them though.
Nevermind eh !
As long as it didn't damage the frame threads! I'd get the LBS to prepare the shell properly, although I thought Cotic did each frame before they got sent out.
I'd also expect the LBS to prepare it free of charge - I'm sure 18Bikes do.
nope local shop wants 25 quid for the bb and then 20 to fit !!
£25 for a BB seems a bit cheap, treat yourself to a better one ?
EDIT: the new colour is stunning, I do prefer the original BFe logo though
didn't go in straight? how can it not? surely it either goes in, or not.
baffling.
Sorry you've had trouble with your BB. It was faced and chased before it left the building, but with it being steel (which is way harder than aluminium BB cup threads) if you get it slightly wrong at the start the frame with cut you some new threads. Just go steady next time, eh?
New tubing is heat-treated cromo same material as Reynolds 725, but unlike with 631 nad 853, this isn't a proprietary material to Reynolds so would have been effectively paying for the sticker, plus I got to spec the walls in butts Reynolds don't offer. It's stronger than 631 so I was able to use slightly thinner sections making the new frame lighter than the old one. Definitely a step forward IMO.
Cheers Cy.
Just want to point out it was definatley my fault being hamfisted to get the bike built up to ride !
cy - MemberNew tubing is heat-treated cromo same material as Reynolds 725, but unlike with 631 nad 853, this isn't a proprietary material to Reynolds so would have been effectively paying for the sticker, plus I got to spec the walls in butts Reynolds don't offer. It's stronger than 631 so I was able to use slightly thinner sections making the new frame lighter than the old one. Definitely a step forward IMO.
Don't doubt for a minute that it's as good or better, it's just the 12 year old in me that likes his little sticker, ignore him.
I'm just thankful there isn't a Soul or a Simple in the green, or I;d be forced to sell my perfectly good frame and change over.
That is an amazing colour. I almost want to buy one just for that reason.
how do you **** up putting in a bb ? as they should go in 99% of the way in with just using your fingers !
Its fairly easy to screw up with a nicely faced and chased frame, especially steel frames. The newly cut threads are super sharp and will cut into alu threads immediatley if you try to thread in without checking carefully. If you were not expecting it a few turns with the spanner and your bb is toast. I always hold the bb against the frame and rotate it backwards until you feel the start of the thread.
Love that colour 8)
+1 on the colour love, even better than the blue. My current BFe is one of my all time favorite bikes I've owned, probably not the fastest over any given trail but it does produce a massive grin every time.
That's a shame about the bb, I was looking forward to seeing some built up pics!
Hope you get out on it soon. I love my BFe, other bikes have come and gone but my orange (limited run, gloat) BFe remains!
Love that colour!
All I need is the chain and gear cable (on order from crc!) and my (black) BFe will be ready to ride, the anticipation is driving me nuts!
It's built apart from the chainset and chain !.
Once done it needs a bot of setting up for contact points and then I'm on my way !.
Will put some pics up shortly .....