Readers’ Rides: Tom’s Steampunk Deviate Highlander

What are you all riding? This is where we find out! You send us your submissions, and then we cast our judgemental expert lustful …

By stwhannah

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Readers’ Rides: Tom’s Steampunk Deviate Highlander

I like. Is veeeerrry nice.

Cracking build and really unique.

I love seeing your builds as it isn’t just throwing expensive parts on, it’s the extra mile you go when putting the finishing touches on it 🙂

That’s gorgeous!

I’ve been following this on JMJ’s and Deviate’s instagram. These pictures don’t do it justice, great idea and stunning execution 👏

Thanks guys! It’s had a shakedown in the lakes this week, couple of minor adjustments to make, but it’s bloody ace!

These pictures don’t do it justice

Very much this. Any help in this department that’s more than ‘point my phone at it’ much appreciated…

For those interested, this is the dog it’s based on 😊

The bike is gorgeous!

But that dog looks like it remembers what being a real dog was like, and is very much not happy about it!

Lovely looking bike.

Looks like you have realistic rather than optimistic scales!

Hope it it as ace to ride as it is to look at🙂

Spectacular Tom, amazing bit of kit.

I’m going to go out on a limb here, and say I’m not a huge fan of the paint job, but it’s not my bike. Having said that, I can’t fault anything else on the build – it’s stunning. Think I’m most envious of the Trickstuff brakes – I visited the factory a few years ago and was blown away by the build quality and attention to detail.

‘Taut’ not ‘taught’. Honestly 😉

BadlyWiredDog
Full Member
‘Taut’ not ‘taught’. Honestly 😉

That’s a bit of a stretch ;o)

That’s a bit of a stretch ;o)

I dunno, it’s learned me something.

I get that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, I love it though. 😊

I might be the only one that doesn’t really like it but can’t help but be impressed with the wheel weight, especially for the intended use.

Is the lack of chain wrap on the chainring a problem? There looks to be barely 30% coverage and to share the load of a 90Kg rider squeezing out power on nasty uphills makes me wince a bit seeing how few teeth are engaged.

@twonks – From what I understand (I are not an engineer) the entire pedal load is borne by interface of the first few teeth of the chainring with the chain. Chain wrap isn’t an issue…

Chain wrap isn’t an issue…

This. Been riding it in a few guises for a year now, no chain issues at all.

That is an amazing looking bike. i love the brass coloured decals on the raw steel finish. very inspired, but i do have some sympathy for that poor dog.

do you have upgrade plans for any of the components? that’s a joke, by the way.

Have fun.

i love the brass coloured decals

Ain’t no decals on there, it’s all paint. The process of which can be seen below.

I do have a Dward Designs CNC Ti BB to fit 😊 but other than that, no, it’ll do for now 😉

It’s not for me, way too gaudy and bling for my taste. I always feel uncomfortable having anything that is ’the best’ as …. well, I’m not. As mentioned in another thread I would still burst out laughing if I saw anyone with trickstuff brakes in the wild 😬.

However I do love that people do their own thing and it is certainly unique, built by someone who clearly has a passion for bikes… so full marks on that front. Each to their own and I’m glad variety exists! Top marks!

I’m not a fan of the paint job but I admire the painters skill to be able to do it

It’s not for me, way too gaudy and bling for my taste.

Lolz, had a few comments (not just here) that it’s too rough 🤷‍♂️. Even that I should have it painted…

I always feel uncomfortable having anything that is ’the best’ as …. well, I’m not.

Does not compute. If I’m going to do something, I’m going to go for it. I absolutely accept I’m not going to push the limits of the kit that I’m using, but that doesn’t stop it from being very nice to use, and enhancing the overall experience.

To quote either Churchill or Wilde, ‘I am a simple man, I am very easily satisfied by the best.’

I’m not a fan of the paint job but I admire the painters skill to be able to do it

Interestingly, ish, that’s what put me in touch with JMJ, he’d done a helmet for Rich Payne, a tasteful pink and blue leopard print… Not my idea of awesome but it obviously took a lot of work to pull off. Same here I guess 😊

That’s certainly different – nice work!

If I’m going to do something, I’m going to go for it.

Sure thing, I do that too, just in a different way perhaps. As written it’s a unique bike and I’m glad you are enjoying it. Cheers for showing it!

Nice, very individual with the paint job.

I might be the only one that doesn’t really like it but can’t help but be impressed with the wheel weight, especially for the intended use.

Same, but only because I thought XMC1200 was some lighter-duty version of the XMC1501, rather than a previous generation – which is what they appear to be. Then half a pound as stated off with the spokes. Curious how they turn out long term.

I always feel uncomfortable having anything that is ’the best’ as …. well, I’m not.

If I’m going to do something, I’m going to go for it. I absolutely accept I’m not going to push the limits of the kit that I’m using, but that doesn’t stop it from being very nice to use, and enhancing the overall experience.

I think I get where the thought might come from, perhaps a feeling of not being worthy of top-line kit. I’ve never specced high enough (due to budget) for it to cross my mind though, on the things that matter I tend to go for plenty good enough then one level higher. I’d absolutely love to demo a bike with this suspension, brakes, and wheels vs. the same one with Lyriks, Super Deluxe, Code RSCs, and XM1700s.

Same, but only because I thought XMC1200 was some lighter-duty version of the XMC1501, rather than a previous generation

IIRC, the rims are the same, it’s just the stock 1200 comes with 180 hubs, the 1501 are 240s and slightly heavier spokes. The XRC is the pure XC lightweight, and the EXC is the full enduro.

Love it! Saw this on Deviate’s facebook page and thought it was ace! I’ve been fancying one of these for a while now and seeing this has only made me want one more.

I’ve been fancying one of these for a while now and seeing this has only made me want one more.

Buy it from JMJ and he’ll give you a discount on a paint job 😉 (keeps the warranty too)

It’s nice…but it’s not for me.

I’ve had some very expensive bikes over the years and I had a mental block with riding them and not wanting to ‘damage them’ even though financially I could afford to replace them. They become almost too jewel like/precious.

Conversely the HelloDave that is arriving tomorrow is going to get flogged and smashed to death without a second thought.

I dont get it, its not for me although I can completely understand why you would want to change from the yellow.

Ooh… I guess an oval chainring wouldn’t work on an idler bike…. hmm…

DrP

Not my thing either, but at least you completed your brief

this is the dog it’s based on

😉

Ooh… I guess an oval chainring wouldn’t work on an idler bike…. hmm…

I *think* they do, you just need to run them at a different orientation. Not looked into it properly though.

Out of interest, those that say it’s not for them (correct 😝) what would you change? Just the colour, the finish, or something else?

Get in Tom…
Great build, bet it’s quick everywhere.

Engineeringly-wise: smashing
Lookingly-wise: minging (sorry)

Still, different strokes for different folks.

Absolute cracker love it. Well done Tom 👍.

its a no from me…. i can appreciate the workmanship, but it doesnt look overly ‘steampunk’ to me.

but the build is pretty drool worthy.

As long as you love it, thats all that matters!

Love it.

love the build but that paint job is just… nope. It’ll always look like it needs a clean and that would drive me up the wall! 😀

I like it, a lot. I like the varied detail e.g. Trickstuff, Berd Spokes, Tune stem. You’ve gone off the beaten path and I love this detail.