Urban Velo just posted a real nice post on the Big Block:
From Urban Velo:
The All-CIty Big Block frameset is going to make a splash once it is actually available this November. At the $500 asking price, this is one of the best spec’d framesets out there with some very real thought in it. The geometry is steep and tall with a short offset fork, mirroring the handling attributes of “true track” frames that so many are in search of. In fact, there is no reason for this not to succeed on the track along with the street. Its butted 4130 tubes and tapered stays should ride well, as should the lugged crowned fork. For the city riders, this bike will fit 32mm tires, giving up a bit of top end speed for the much warranted flat resistance that larger tires make. There are brake provisions front and rear if you’re so inclined, and the cast track end featuring the Hennepin Avenue Bridge has integrated chain tensioners to keep your axle in place. Production framesets will be available in a black/white color scheme, with the pictured red/white paint available on complete bike builds. The blue/black paint was a prototype only, destined to a lucky person as a one-off paint sample. Also recently announced is the new fixed freestyle model, the Dropout, with a BMX style fork and the latest touches in street fixed wheel bike design. Interesting things continue to come from Minneapolis.
I just received these photos of the first round of Dropouts just back from the powdercoaters.
We will be picking the best of these color schemes for our production frameset. Since this bike is going to get beatup, it was a no brainer to use powdercoat instead of paint (more durable). Since a mulitple color powdercoat is prohibitively expensive (for a frame you're going to beat the crap out of), the best way to make it interesting is to use a separate color on the frame and fork. We decided to keep it classy and roll with a low contrast color scheme.
Blue on Blue
Grey on Grey
Green on Green
Cream on Brown
And yes I know that the decal should match the fork color. We're working on it.
The Robeast Trevor Crayton wins the All City Championship 09
August 24, 2009, By: Jeff
Our good buddy the Robeast Trevor Crayton (namesake of the Crayton toe clips) rode his Big Block to wins in both the sprints and the main alleycat at this year's ACC. Way to do us proud.
I'll have some better photos of T$, the bike, and his champ bag shortly.
That's the first of many victories that the Big Block will be racking up.
Up until now I've only been able to allude to the fact that we've had a freestyle fixed gear in the works for the last year or so. Today I'm proud to announce its official existance to the world. The time for some disclosure is finally upon us, and while I can't reveal much (it is still in prototype stage) I am happy to share some screen shots and other info.
*Since this is a first gen prototype, AC reserves the right to change anything and everything as we see fit*
Introducing the All-City Dropout freestyle fixed gear frameset
Fork: 400mm ATC unicrown construction (the fork should be available sooner than the frameset) Tire Clearance: 40c's (easy)
Dropouts: All-City signature cast from Cromo instead of stainless. The Cromoly gives greater axle bite and less wheel slippage. Rear spacing: 120mm
We're expecting the first proto's later this month and will begin ride testing immediately. The AC riders (Sam Miller, Mike Carney, Jesse Hilliard, and myself) will be providing the critical feedback as we beat the heck out of these things to see what's golden and what needs further refinement. I'll have full pics of the frames and builds as they happen, and if you're going to Interbike stop by the booth for a first hand look.
Please forgive the lack of geometry and other specs, but due to recent incidents (you know what I'm talking about) we feel that it's prudent to keep a tight lid on that information until the bike is finished. Suffice it to say that we will be bringing you some very innovative (at least in our opinion) ideas that will create a stronger, lighter, and better handling frameset. I think we've come up with some great numbers (between headtube angle, top tube length, toe overlap, and barspin toe overlap), and I am unbelievably excited to finally get to ride one after spending so many months worrying about geo's and such.
And just in case any of you out there are jumping out of you skin, yelling "Bandwagon!" (the internet has no shortage of pundits) know that from the very beginning it was always our plan that our second bike would be a fixed freestyler. The reason being: I do stupid tricks on my bike nearly everyday (I have the embarrassing you tube videos to prove it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoBe4rKDZdE. C'mon it was 2006, cut me some slack (and I didn't pick the song)) and the only reason we do anything is because we're passionate about it and feel that innovation and progression of machine is possible. I love riding fixed freestyle and believe that the Dropout has alot to offer a rider.
We're super stoked to let you know that we are upping our handlebar game with this newest edition to the AC parts family, the Save The Track Bike (STTB) drop bar.
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