(WBO) 2015 Winter Build Off Entry: "Switch-a-roo" by Gig Mata

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Joined
Nov 1, 2013
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Location
Studio City, CA
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I am in.

- by Gigmata
 
Today I visited 3G Bikes (they are an advertiser to this site) and test rode a couple of their bikes. I got great service and learned a bit more about the products they have (which you can buy throught the ratrodbikes.com store on this site). I was drooling over the 3G forks. I want a set of those really really badly. I also wanted a set of those sweet checker board wheels which come as fat as 80mm. That is not as fat as me but it's pretty fat.

My 2015 WBO entry, "Switch-A-Roo" was born with a bit of a problem. I needed adjustable handlebars. Notice the past tense. One of the bikes I rode at 3G was sporting this puppy.

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I forgot to ask 3G's Gary Silva who came up with this idea. I don't know who to credit but my debit card. Thank you 3G. I also ordered a set of rims and tires through the ratrodbikes.com store which you can do too on this site.

I also spoke with a company that does anodizing. It turns out that anodizing is pretty cost effective and does a great job at protecting components and entire frames. Hmmm, what does that mean, hmmm? I also raided the island of misfit parts again to come up with a GT Rhythm front hub. It didn't sell on eBay. There might be a Deep 6 chain guard in "Switch-A-Roo's future if that thing doesn't move.

In a similar vein, I look at two houses (now I know where B.F.E. is) and one of those homes was situated in a picturesque setting with a lot of land. It had a horse stable that would make a very nice place to weld, grind, paint and polish. This same weekend I took 4 of my bikes to the studio for a photo shoot. It was a mixed blessing. Somebody turned off the power that I needed and I didn't know how to turn it back on. I left a couple of bikes there (they are locked away) so when I go back I can photograph them. I came home with 2 in my SUV. I walked into my apartment's kitchen which had no bikes in it for the first time in about 2 1/2 years. My living room hosted "Switch-A-Roo" parts and Bill's Elgin that I built for him. I wanted to Plasti-Dip the tank white and do a few other little things. It goes to him this coming weekend. My living room was larger than I remember it. It was strange seeing so much space again but in a good way. A friend called and offered me another job full-time or part-time. I will be going in on weekends, if we can work it out. That house in B.F.E. would suit me fine and since I don't have horses, I suppose I can consult a a contractor about how to make the stable a shop if I end up out there. If get that place I will post pictures. Maybe we can have a Room Addition Build-Off. More updates to come. Thanks for reading.
-Gig


- by Gigmata
 
The plot thickens. As many of you know I have been saving for a house. I found a place and I am trying to buy it. My realtor told me I will likely need another $8K to $6K in funds. As a result, I am selling as many of my bikes as necessary to raise the dough. I've got half of it so I shouldn't have to sell but a few. I am still in the contest with "Switch-A-Roo" though. I won't be able to afford the .......' expensive forks I was salivating over but I have an alternative. I have nearly all the parts for "Switch-A-Roo" but there is a long way to go.

The house is a priority at the moment. Can you believe I am having trouble getting my realtor to take my offer and deposit check? I knew that house was out in the boondocks but I had no idea it was in Bizzaro world (Superman reference). Thanks.

-Gig
 
Family and home is always the priority. Hope everything works out for you. I had to excuse myself from building for 2 years until I got settled here.
 
Housing update: the realtor didn't need a check until my offer is accepted. Hopefully we hear something back soon.
"Mint Julep" bike update: the mint green Felt I built will be featured in a TV show. I can't mention which one it is until is goes on air. The bike had a lot interest from the crew and the woman from the property department passed out my information. I hope that helps.

"Switch-A-Ru" news: The chainring and power disc arrived. The combo looks really good together. I already had the cranks and bearings. I am still on the lookout for a very special set of cranks. Hopefully they will turn up a few weeks prior to the build-off's end and after the house is bought.


- by Gigmata
 
Just a brief update. I took the brakes apart so they could be anodized but I may go with hydraulic brakes in the same color. I also ordered the forks. I am out of my depth on them but the house I wanted may go to a higher bidder so I squeezed a bit out of my budget for the mystery forks. I got the exact seat I wanted which was a plus. I also found an even cooler fender and bought it from a forum member. It's perfect but it wasn't cheap and it wasn't free but it was better than what I had originally invented. Unless I swap the brakes for hydraulic units I have all the parts for Switch-a-roo down to the last decal. I am now saving up for that powder coat. I am also saving up for another Felt aluminum tank frame for a future build-off. :)

Is there anyone in the Los Angeles area that can weld two disc brake tabs on steel forks? I need some help with that.
-Gig


- by Gigmata
 
I ordered forks on 2/16 and they still aren't here. In fact UPS lost them and I bought a second pair which they actually had to build. Fortunately, they are some good guys and sent 2 forks my way but they used UPS again. I grit my teeth. The powder coater is ready for me. Tomorrow, I will be dropping off all the parts to be shot and some that are blast only so they can be anodized.

Switch-a-roo was a complete fully-functional bike but I hated the color. I could swear it was shot in the wrong shade of orange. The photo below is all the stuff that came off the bike and won't go back on.
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Above you'll find a rear rack, Noleen forks, suspension seat post, Felt Cafe seat, Felt cranks, Felt cross bars, and a pair of Quick Brick tires. Not even the brake levers will go back on. I have plans for the seat post butt the rest will hit my parts closet for something in the future.

Switch-a-roo started out as two bikes rolled into one but delays have killed that idea. What reared it's head is the most technologically advanced bike that I have ever built. Hydraulic disc brakes, Ziegler-Lam Supergear cranks, Osymetric chainrings, 8-Speed Sturmey-Archer hub, 3G adjustable handle bars and a completely unconventional number plate. As for tires, I am still contemplating the color. I had originally wanted aged brown tires so I sprung for a set of brown BOA-G tires and they look great but they are going into the parts closet as well. I had better hurry up and make up my mind. I only have 2 weeks left.


- by Gigmata
 
I didn't realize the forks would be threaded (I did not look at the photo on the website carefully. That really changes things for me but perhaps not for the worst. I had an idea that I thought I just would never be able to use but now maybe I can.

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Due to a previously mentioned snafu with UPS I now have 3 of these forks. I need two. The 3rd will be sent back to the manufacturer.


- by Gigmata
 

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