There is no reason a cut vinyl decal will not stick to a powder coated frame, as long as it’s clean and grease free

If it’s a CAD Camm cut vinyl there are perfectly durable and colour fast, the material is self coloured so will be colour fast for 3-5 years minimum. If it’s a solvent based print onto a profile cut vinyl, these are again durable but do benefit from a clear laminate shortly after printing or a sprayed clear coat, using an air dry system

The link you have some is a totally different process, ideal for volume work but not viable for individual frames

Totally depends on the make up of the decals

A dry transfer, as a Lloyds use regular, needs a clear coat over the top, if it’s a self adhesive vinyl based decal, a little thicker, it doesn’t have to be clear coated but durability can be improved if you do.

However use a 2 pack or air dry clear coat as the high temperatures used to cure some clear coats will effect the vinyl decals

I do 20 or so sets of vinyl decals every week and have been doing so for years, some are clear coated, some are just straight over the top of a powder, I would imagine it’s the oven temperature for the clear coat that’s the issue 😉

I’ve a lovely set of Pace RC29-S100 forks that have seen little to no use since new, always keeping them for the right frame but can’t see that happening in the near future

Let me know if they would fit the bill and I’ll sort some photos

Only ever run a 3″ tyre on the front of the Plus or Diamond, always felt the 4″ tyre would be overkill, guess it’s another option

And you wanted a photo 😉

Think it’s the rabbit holes that are holding it back…

I’ve carbon on my other 29″ers, the RH rims were just a stop gap and will be changed soon to a 40mm Carbon Dually style

ajantom ~ out of interest have you ridden a Jones or other 29+ based bike?

Certainly not a “one-up” comment, just interested in different feedback 🙂

Personally feel the 25″ is more a bikepacking machine, more frame bag room and slightly more upright with the long head tube, however I haven’t ridden one so shouldn’t assume
I still have a 23″ Diamond and didn’t want to have too bigger “leap” beyond the longer wheelbase and that’s what the 24″ plus has given me 🙂
At one point I was even going to try a Medium Krampus,I like small frames they are far more fun

Came from a Krampus, initially the Krampus was fun but then I went back to other 29+ front ended bike the Krampus began to feel less playful, great for rolling over stuff but somehow not the spark of the + fronted bikes…It went
I already had a Jones Diamond and knew how playful they could be, the plus would make sense and they only way to find out how they rode was buy one, I was sceptical, the Diamond was sold
After 10 days of back to back trail riding I can say the Plus is everything I hoped for, + wheels can hammer over anything, frame is still “playful” even with the longer wheelbase and so stable at speed. Only immediate comment is the Rabbit Hole wheels feel a bit heavy, will be going with Carbon 40mm rims and running it tubeless shortly
I’m in North Yorkshire if your keen for a test ride (24″) and I’m 6′ 4″

Dropped you a direct email 😉

Let me know what you have in mind and I’ll give you a straight answer 😉

one of the flaws with a self coloured vinyl, it will be between 0.8 – 0.6 micron in thickness so will always have an “edge” to it, not really ideal for thin line work or small text, but fine for 2-3mm and above if not in high wear areas

certainly know of one frame refinished who regularly bakes my decals but I only use Cast vinyl and this makes a big difference – always go with a cast vinyl over a calendered if you get an option – a little thinner and more stable at higher temperatures, with better adhesion

mainly depends on the make up of the decals, if they are a single colour cut vinyl there is no need to clear coat them, this should be the same quality as Automotive vinyl, used for vehicle liveries and should be good for at least 3-5 years

you can tell if the reverse of the decal is the same colour as the front “pre-coloured” vinyl

if they are a solvent print onto a white media base and the bike will see regular use its worth clear coating the frame, just watch how it’s cured, in most cases don’t oven bake the frame to cure the clear coat, the very high and then low temperatures expand and contract the vinyl and cause cracks around the edge of the decal

if you use a 2 pack or air dry lacquer you should be fine, but always best to do a test if possible or talk to your painter

other option is request the decals have a laminate after print, ideal for large “wrap” decals but not really for small individual decals

if you have some “unique” decals always worth getting a scan before fitting, just in case you need a second set

Hope this helps

Talking to the Surly guys earlier in the Year it was the manufacturer and the price point issue that was holding them all up

Not too sure about the dual compound issues, sounds a bit involved for Surly…

yeah, wider rim will make a huge difference 😉

…a slightly wider rim will make a huge difference to any tyre, try a 35mm Blunt or 45mm Dually

Obviously without knowing what you’re currently using…

Damn, I forgot how good they are 😯

…and the wheelbase?

Guessing 112cm or is it longer?

Oh yeah, pricing?

…my big worry it is rides like a Krampus

When I first got my Krampus I loved it, so stable, comfortable and great fun, big tire footprint gave it confidence, but then I went back to my Steel Diamond and realised I had most of this plus could chuck it around so much more easily

I stopped riding the Krampus and sold it shortly afterwards

When I got the Diamond I could so much convincing on the 23″ top tube, I’m 6’4″ with a 35″ inseam, but the proof was in the pudding, rode it, loved it never looked back

This is all without riding the Plus but I fear it might have lost it “chuckable” factor with that longer wheelbase, it will be super stable but maybe not the fun of the shorter wheelbase

I run a Knard in the front of the truss and P35 rims, Carbon front and alloy rear, have tried a Rabbit hole in the front but didn’t seem to make a huge difference over the 35mm rim

Is the longer wheelbase aimed more stable “off-road” tourer, I have watched the footage of Jeff chucking it round corners but I also know what a skilled rider Jeff is….

Good riding in both Grand Junction and Fruita, would build in a few days there rather than the whole time in baking hot Moab…

Bez…Very interesting

So did you sell it with the dents or was that after your ownership?

Love the “Old Gate” currently rattling round as a single speed :~)

Did the SSWC race there a couple of years ago, amazing selection of trails just out of town, keep you busy if you like super fast flowing Redwoods and Rain forest trails 😀

Pig and Whistle is great for some after ride beers and some other bar I can’t remember the name of, just don’t start drinking the “tea pots”

Oh yes, it smells but you get used to it…

Works for me 🙂

To be fair to the guy a bought a dented Cross Check off him for £50, arranged a pick up all was as expected 🙂

Reading between the lines the one he is now selling must be an insurance replacement for the dented frame I now have, so guessing it cost him very little and they tried to match original frame colour ~ at a guess…

Anyway love me new dented CX, just what I needed for the winter slop..

Various options, but if you only want small numbers or a single set I would use a computer cut “cast” grade vinyl, but then again it depends how detailed your design is.

Outside of this a solvent based full colour CMYK print onto a conformable vinyl with suitable laminate, but then it depends on the colours you intend using

Beyond this if you want a thinner “decal” waterslide decals are an option but then can be hard to fit and quite “delicate” on a MTB frame and really only viable for larger numbers

Whizz me over your design and I can suggest the best production method for the design you have in mind 🙂

I’m happy to do custom Cotic work but only after I have been given the OK from Cy 🙂

Same goes for the Singular and Dialled Bikes work I also do 😉

…I respect my customers wishes, Cy sells all the sets direct to the public, it’s totally up to him what he charges – he is selling a quality item not some cheap eBay knock off, you get what you pay for…

Can’t resist adding a little bit of class to the list

Got to be one of my favourite bikes, does everything and always seems to finish at a pub

Gil, are you still alive?
Yes I need to have a chat with you.

…in a few more bits than I used to be but yes, still here

…will there be stickers 😉

Here’s a little review from Sunday’s ride

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=244926

I built my wheels ;~)

…to be honest the weight is hardly noticable

Have the Ti front end on the spaceframe kind of balances it a bit I guess but the diamond has got a great big Nate in the front of it 🙂

ridden a ti space frame and compared it to my steel. other than the big weight difference, the ti feels more active (twisty) in the rear. the steel is a bit more direct on the pedalling but not quite as feather bed. both brilliant and I’m not disappointed that i could only afford the steel. Would still have a Ti for pimp factor though

Ti Vs Steel Spaceframe, just as Tazzy says, I came very close to buying a Ti spaceframe just as Jeff announced they were doing the steel version. I’m so glad I hung on for the steel frame, the Ti one felt great and ws obviously lighter but I found it a bit “noodly” very comfortable but somehow a little to twisty, I’m not small though so guess this might have been too much for the Ti (6’4″ ~ 16st)

Now have a steel spaceframe with Ti truss fork and steel diamond with steel truss, both are excellent, the spaceframe is a little more comfortable and great for throwing around the diamond is great if you want to put a bag in the frame and camp out but the frame rides a little more harshly

I’m in North Yorkshire if you ever want a whirl…

tazzy – don’t happen to have a Rabbit hole and Knard spare do you or are you waiting like the rest of us….

The steel truss forks are great, compliant but very direct, a much nicer option than the standard unicrown fork

To me they are the real highlight or both the Diamond and Spaceframe, but that’s just my opinion…

Bring on the beer and bikes 🙂

Seeing as it’s you Charlie we’ll let you in with your undersized Endomorph…

You of all people should know they are so last year 😉

…and it’s not true, we won’t cut your body up and sell you to the Chinese 😉

…Hello 🙂

An “organizer” will advise…

…that will be me then 😉

Sorry that should read..I am one of the huge “organising” team…

Nice and quite in Dalby today, really don’t know why 😉