it is a good enough product as YOU help design

I am 185lbs and speced 38mm TT/ 34.9 ST and 50mm DT that got swaged into opposing biaxial ends
and with 22.2 chain and seat stays.. all 0.9 wall thickness except the CS which are 1.2mm

but - wished i picked 1.6 mm thick walled chainstays. vs 1.2mm ( I was reassured 1.2mm would be more than enough but i like my chainstays to be real stiff laterally.
3.9lb
--

tracks great accelerate fast but the forte is stabilty.-- about 90-95% as stiff as my steel Tesch S22 but with a 110% better fit.
myh old E5 specialized rate about a 75% --it has noticeable wag on upwhille springting --but again I am 185lbs.

PM if you are anywhere near SF bay area and want to take a look .

 

Thanks for the reply. Locominute.

They did send me a drawing based on the dimensions I gave them. And if I remember correctly, the wall thickness is the same as you mentioned. I will double check. They also made the seatstay having an arc radius of 1600mm. From the looks of it ( not based on science of whasotever), it seem too much bend and maybe too whimpy. I think I will change it to 1400 so it has less bend (I think the bend will help the ride more compliant). FYI, I am 155 lbs. and I do not race. The bike is for club rides and recreation.

Since this is the first time I heard of the company and never dealt with money transfer, I'd like to know your buying experience with them. I am somewhat leery of sending money overseas, and finding out later the product was not manufactured according to the drawing's dimensions and angles. Sending it back will be too expensive. Did you have a pleasant experience with them? What are the pitfalls and what things should I watch out for during the ordering/buying process?

By the way, I live in the Bay Area (San Jose) and work in Oakland, I would love to see your bike if you do not mind. I will PM you for your location.

Thanks again.

 

I've dealt with XACD and I know lots of others who have - mainly UK based. I have not heard of any problems. Turn-around on drawings and inquiries is very quick - just make sure you study their drawings carefully to get exactly what you want. Finish is very workmanlike and robust - they makes lots of frames for OEM brands. If I was in the market for another ti frame, I'd certainly look at them.

 

I've dealt with XACD and I know lots of others who have - mainly UK based. I have not heard of any problems. Turn-around on drawings and inquiries is very quick - just make sure you study their drawings carefully to get exactly what you want. Finish is very workmanlike and robust - they makes lots of frames for OEM brands. If I was in the market for another ti frame, I'd certainly look at them.

Thanks for the advice.:thumbsup:
BTW, how would you describe the performance of the bike? Did you specify the geometry (HTA, STA, headtube length, bottom bracket height, chainstay length, front-center distance)? I will be interested in seeing your drawing if you do not mind--I am trying to gauge as to how the geometric design and material resulted in the riding characteristic of your bike. Does your bike has a braze-on front derailleur? I heard the location of the braze-on can be problematic. I prefer braze-on but afraid they might install it in non-optimum location. Also, trying to decide if I'll have them braze the seat collar (instead of using seat clamp). Any advice?

 

yes--you pick the angles

pm you email as I dont' know how to send the drawing through this webist..

stick if seat clamp rather than braze on any day more secure and you wouldn't have to worry about threads stripping

Also you need to get the head tube and BB faced and chased as this is not the most high quality job--no biggy.

 

I wonder if XACD does integrated headtubes. Is this even an option?

 

yes--you pick the angles

pm you email as I dont' know how to send the drawing through this webist..

stick if seat clamp rather than braze on any day more secure and you wouldn't have to worry about threads stripping

Also you need to get the head tube and BB faced and chased as this is not the most high quality job--no biggy.

I asked Porter specific question about head tube and BB being faced. He said it is not necessary since it is machined. Guess he will say anything to make a sale. But I will order the bike anyway.

 

I wonder if XACD does integrated headtubes. Is this even an option?

I did not asked this specific question since I was not interested in an integrated head tube. But they seem to make any custom request.

 

I just sent my money order to XACD last week... based entirely on the trust of this forum

If I've done my frame design right, and the XACD builders can keep tolerances, I should get a 68cm, cyclocross-geometry, Rohloff-ready, disc-or-caliper, 700x40c + fenders-capable frame for US$925 shipped.

If either of us screwed up, I guess I'll get a pile of scrap. That's the fun of XACD, or so I'm told.


EDIT: Screwups I made in designing this frame that I would fix if I had a second chance:

• Too much side clearance on tires. XACD assumes no fenders and equal clearance on sides and top of tire. Reducing side clearance would eliminate need for bends in chainstays and seatstays.
• Too thick/wide tubing in rear chainstay area. Straightening chainstays would make up for using narrower/thinner tubing (maybe)
• Slope the top tube, and drop the seat clamp area an inch or two. The frame's huge already, the seat post is tiny, and my groin is sore.
• More tactical cable guide placement. Because of the bends in the chainstays, there's one place where the Rohloff shifter cables will tend to poke out and interfere with the cranks
• Give up on the idea of the Eccentric Bottom Bracket. It would be way cooler if chains didn't stretch/wear and need adjustment.
• Don't bother making it caliper brake compatble. Disc brakes are way better. Go up to 410mm fork length (am doing that now anyhow)
• Shorten the top tube 1cm - I was wrong to doubt my frame fitter.
• Hope XACD eventually offers a chainstay mount for disc brakes
• Maybe raise the bottom bracket a tiny bit. I like the low center of gravity though.

 

That's the fun of XACD, or so I'm told.

what does that mean? that you might or might not get what was designed?

 

what does that mean?

No slur on XACD's work - Few have posted complaints about their workmanship, only one about a bottom bracket slightly out of alignment.

Just agreeing with what others have said: when you get something shipped from a wholesaler halfway around the world, there's not many warranty options to fix screwups. Mistakes could happen in the design, or in the fabrication - this is my first frame, and I'm sure I did something wrong somewhere.

 

No slur on XACD's work - Few have posted complaints about their workmanship, only one about a bottom bracket slightly out of alignment.

Just agreeing with what others have said: when you get something shipped from a wholesaler halfway around the world, there's not many warranty options to fix screwups. Mistakes could happen in the design, or in the fabrication - this is my first frame, and I'm sure I did something wrong somewhere.

Kindly let us know how the delivery went and most importantly, how is the workmanship and if the expectation was met as to its intended ride characteristic. As far as defects, I am more worried about frame alignment than other defect that can be corrected by cold setting.

 

Just got the delivery today...

 

Please let us know what you think of its quality and ride characteristic. Congrats!

 

Hi, A. Hilliard
I live in Ottawa and was going to order a touring frame with couplers from XACD. Checked out True North bikes, awesome work, but $3600 for a frame with couplers.
You mention you had a problem with the wire transfer. Any pointers for me in this regard?
When I get my frame I'll post photos as you have done.
Thanks in advance.
J. Lunney

 

Hey there. It's been awhile since I ordered the bike - just worked on it today, put on a Kinesis DC19 carbon fork with 410mm axle-to-crown and am very happy with it. More fender clearance on 700x38c, more compliant ride, and lighter. :thumbsup:

The wire transfer went fine, I don't recall any problems. I had heard rumors of shady dealings and un-expected fees, so I added an extra doo-hickey (seatpost clamp) that I could sacrifice instead of risking a second bank transfer.

Just don't screw up your frame design!

 

Hi, A. Hilliard
I live in Ottawa and was going to order a touring frame with couplers from XACD. Checked out True North bikes, awesome work, but $3600 for a frame with couplers.
You mention you had a problem with the wire transfer. Any pointers for me in this regard?
When I get my frame I'll post photos as you have done.
Thanks in advance.
J. Lunney

Ask Porter if you can pay via paypal. You get more protection using paypal compared to wire transfer. You can also use a credit card via paypal.

 

Chinese Cooper

Spent the month of October 2010 riding my XACD Cooper copy through northern Italy. Custom frame for 850.00, can't complain. For a travel bike with s&s couplers. Took a chance, they got the geometry right . yes I would do it again . Maybe a 29er.