Kirk Frameworks, steel f/f

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basilic
Posts: 1028
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 8:05 am
Location: Geneva, Switzerland

by basilic

I have been posting in "on the road" for awhile, thought I'd show the bike. I got this bike early this season and put a few thousand km on it.

The frame/fork were built by Dave Kirk (http://www.kirkframeworks.com). I wanted a springy, comfortable frame that would perform well on poorly surfaced mountain roads, that would take up to 28mm tires with fenders, and that would work with both Vista pedals (which put you 15mm forward and below the usual position, see picture below) and normal pedals if I wanted to switch. The seatstays are what DK calls terraplane; the curve provides a small amount of vertical flex on rough surfaces to improve road holding/traction, it’s not for comfort or looks. The frame has an eTT of 590mm (TT has a slope of 4.5 deg), HT 177, SS 423, HTA 72.8 deg, STA 72.5, BB drop 75. Frame weight is 1730 (steel bolts removed, and 85 g discounted for the CK headset), and fork 780. (This being WW: I am sure it would be less for a 56cm frame with tighter angles, shorter straight stays, no eyelets, fillet brazed instead of lugs… ). The paint is by Joe Bell, charcoal with a sparkle, with gooseshit details.

Equipped with 7900 shifters, derailleurs, 11-28 cassette, chain, cables, Extralite cranks and 120 stem, Stronglight CT2 rings (here 48/33 that I used in the Dolomites), Vista pedals, Far/near brakes, syntace post (cut), SLR superflow saddle, ratio tacto bars 420, lizard skins 1.8 tape, Ti cages from wiggle, wheels by Ron Ruff (White mountain wheels): alchemy hubs, C4 V22 rims, Xray spokes, 20/28, Pro4 tires and whatever tubes (I have ridden also 26mm grand bois tires and latex tubes, have not yet tried anything bigger). Total weight is 7950, from my bathroom scale approximation.

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The bike rides great, it has the springy and lively feel of steel, smooth and plenty stiff for my needs. Very comfortable on long days. What surprised me was the stability at speed, the bike is quiet, steady and predictable when going down an imperfect mountain road at 60-80 km/h (on my previous bike it was often a bit hair-rising, you had to hold things together…). Initiating a turn takes a small input, tracking in curves is very neutral and consistent, a bit like a giant slalom ski. On broken pavement it behaves very well, no drama. What is due to the longer wheelbase or to the terraplane seatstays I don’t know, but it works.

Mostly I want to mention the builder, Dave Kirk, to those who are not aware of him. Very experienced, innovative, and a great guy to deal with. He truly listens to you, provides solutions, keeps you informed at all times, and delivers on schedule (or before). It was a privilege, one of life’s luxuries, to have a frame built by such a professional.

Simonhi
Posts: 79
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 4:15 pm

by Simonhi

Been following Dave Kirb on Velocipede Salon for some time, plus reading through his site etc ... A true craftsman with bags of experience.

I bet you are super pleased with the bike, I know I would be, my size too !!!

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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User avatar
fa63
Posts: 2533
Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:26 am
Location: Atlanta, GA, US

by fa63

That is stunning (the background in the first picture isn't too bad either), well done :thumbup:

Do you mind if I put a couple pictures of your bike on my blog?

sneeeky
Posts: 93
Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:12 am
Location: So. Cal

by sneeeky

beautiful bike! really love kirk's frames, true pieces of art

Fatbiker
Posts: 874
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 1:41 pm

by Fatbiker

Love the bike! Especially in the first picture, great shot.

LionelB
Posts: 1595
Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2008 8:09 pm
Location: Aix en Provence

by LionelB

beautiful JKS. Enjoy it.

xFree
Posts: 42
Joined: Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:17 am

by xFree

Very nice looking bike! :thumbup:

RichTheRoadie
Tinker, Taylor, Tart
Posts: 2070
Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:00 pm
Location: Sydney, Aus.

by RichTheRoadie

Vista Magic-X pedals! I used to run them but I got a bit sick of catching them through corners...

Lovely bike - Kirk does some really nice stuff.

basilic
Posts: 1028
Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 8:05 am
Location: Geneva, Switzerland

by basilic

thanks for the nice words guys
@fa63: sure, no problem using the photos

ttts2
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2010 8:50 pm

by ttts2

Stunning shots. And a beautiful bike to boot!

Spuds
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 3:50 pm
Location: Melbourne, Aus.

by Spuds

Oh, super nice. I so want a Kirk with Terraplane stays. Am also a fan of big rubber, fenders and nuetral handling. This is more or less the bike I would order from him, probably a different size though :wink:

More photos and detail shots would be much appreciated.

jz4nyc
Posts: 666
Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:07 am

by jz4nyc

AWESOME. A custom Kirk is going to be my midlife crisis purchase. :thumbup:

wanderx
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2012 3:15 pm

by wanderx

That's a lovely bike !

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



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