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FEATURES: UNDER THE RADAR: NEW CARBON FROM NOVEMBER
Road Bike Action
June 8, 2011
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November Bikes came to us through our RBA's women's editor, Raelynn Milley. We don't know much about them other than they have some nice looking frames, but more importantly, they exhibit a quirky sense of humor in all the verbiage they use touting their products....take their claim to starting out...
"The plan started loosely enough: figure out a way to make buying really good race bike frames not be a pain in the ass or require a second mortgage. The mainstream cycling press considers $3,000 to be the price point for entry level race bikes. Are they high? That kind of coin should get you an entire high level race program – not some dumbed down, porked up, low modulus version of a race frame with mid to low tier components and a throw away pair of wheels. Instead of throwing our hands up and walking away, we decided to figure out that better way."
Mike and Dave (above) are the two dudes behind November Bikes and scrolling through their web site certainly shows a deep sense of authenticity and involvement in the sport. Now, we're not here to get in the middle of the whole dealer versus Internet sales debate, our goal is just to spread the word on as many bikes that exist as possible. Still, we do like bike dealers and we like web site companies that at least give you some indication of where they call home - not so with November. Although they throw up the phone numbers of the mechanics they have signed-up to build bikes for them, beyond an e-mail address, we could find no indication of just where Mike and Dave might call home - no phone number, street address or country code. The whole "we're here for your embrace", and yet they allow no direct contact....seems strange.
Anyway, the site and blogs are cool. The frames and wheels look nice enough and did we mention, they have a good sense of humor? The following is straight from November....
Can I get my frameset unfinished and paint it myself?
What do you think this is - one of those decorate-your-own-cupcake bars?
Wait a minute, we really like those places, especially the ones with
the chopped up peanut butter cups and cream cheese frosting. OK, we'll
consider it for a large enough team order. Email us and we'll see if it
makes sense.
Wheelhouse Frameset
Price: $945
The Wheelhouse, our carbon road race frame, true to our philosophy, derives elegance through simplicity. Proven geometry, proven technology, light weight, quality materials, masterful construction. Your reliable partner through winter’s lonely miles, and summer’s shoulder to shoulder corners.
At about 1160g for a medium, it won’t make the weight-weenie hall of fame. But it also won’t leave you wincing over potholes or cobbles, or racing gingerly like you might on a 900g bike where you suspect some strength sacrifices must have been made. Muscular and athletic, the Wheelhouse is built for stiffness, efficient power transfer and rapid accelerations. Race the bejeezus out of it, in confidence.
WHAT ABOUT THEIR WHEELS?
 The Wheelhouse frameset includes:
Full carbon fiber monocoque frame: 3K weave, tapered 1 1/8" to 1 1/2" steerer tube
Full carbon fiber fork: Carbon fiber blades, crown and steerer, tapered 1 1/8" to 1 1/2"
Integrated headset
Compression plug (please stop pounding star nuts into carbon steerers)
Internal cable routing
Seatpost clamp
Cable guide
The Wheelhouse frameset does NOT include:
Awesome graphics or advanced technology paint: They add considerable expense and also 50g - 100g of weight.
Integrated Seatmast: They're just dumb.
BB30: This was a hard one. Ultimately we decided that most racers who buy a BB30 frame will then have to buy a new $200 - $1000+ crankset to go with it. If it gains widespread adoption you'll see it on our bikes. But for now, our philosophy is that if you can win on a BB30 bike, you can win on one with a conventional BB. And if you're pack fodder on your standard BB, BB30 isn't going to suddenly put you on the podium.
Price: $885
Availability: Sold out, sorry. Next availability is early July. You can reserve a set from the incoming shipment with a $100 deposit.
Specs:
Weight: 1370g for Standard (20/24) build, 1430g for SOB (24/28) build
Rim: Full carbon fiber with molded brake surface
Rim Depth: 38mm
Brake Track Width: 22mm
Rim Weight: 405g
Rim Style: Clincher
Spokes: Sapim Laser Double Butted
Build: Handbuilt in the USA
Hubs: Novatec with Japanese sealed EZO bearings
The Leatherman is generally as wrong a tool for any job as it is for every other job, but it's also a workable tool for every job. Our new RFSC 38mm Carbon Clincher is like the Leatherman in its adaptability, but it goes a whole lot better on the suitability scale. It's a great wheel for every application, and a "one wheelset" solution like no other.
In crits, they're stiff and sure-footed in the corners, they accelerate in no time flat, and hold their speed. In road races, they're light and aero, but don't get knocked around in cross winds. For TT's, they'll give you a distinct aero advantage over shallower v- or box-section rims. They're durable enough for everyday training and, when you use the included carbon-specific brake pads, you'll stop plenty quickly, even in wet weather. We know because we've been using them full time even in the crap weather we've had lately.
For more info: November Bicycles.
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