Velo Orange Rando

So last winter something that rarely happens occurred- there was a 1/3 off closeout sale on a bike frame that A) Was new, B) Lugged Steel, C) a color I liked and D) it was actually my size!   A-C happen frequently, D never happens.  Velo Orange was closing out the last of their Rando framesets and the ones left were 59cm! I have an issue with having legs too short for my height (according to bike fit standards anyway) but I compensate with an extra long torso so this bike had the length I needed and who says you need to show a fist full of seat post?

Oh and I got a few goodies along the way-thank you 10% discount on components with frame purchase.  Now one minor gripe I had was that this bike had a decal instead of a real metal badge, but I was in luck as VO had just introduced metal head badges on their bikes and when I asked if they could send me one they very kindly did. They even checked to be sure it would cover the decal before sending it.  Good folks at Velo Orange.

I did have a few issues along they way.  I had intended to go old school with down tube shifters like this

But I had an issue with the right side shifter boss in that the threads wouldn't allow the shifter bolt to go in all the way so instead of taking it to a shop to have the threads chased I tried to do it myself  with a stainless steel bolt...bad idea.

Hey bar end shifters work great! I had a less dramatic problem with the headset and steerer tube.  I didn't really want to cut the steerer tube but something seemed wrong when I got it all assembled....

Yeah gonna need some spacers but I was in luck as VO had some cool knurled ones.  I had this bike most of the way assembled months ago and then for one reason and another it sat for a long while.

I recently came to the realization that I was bike rich and cash poor so I decided on a bit of whim to list the Soma Smoothie I had just built to see if I got any takers.   I did, good for my pocket book but I did really like how the Soma turned out and was sad to see it go,  but I realized I had a pretty darn cool bike that was mostly finished if I would just get off my duff.   So I put the Rando back in the stand to get the fenders mounted and then to finish it off.

I love the fenders but man they had to be the most time consuming PIA part of this project.  One of my favorite parts of this bike are the lugs-they are gorgeous.

BB cluster and cable guides

Seat post lug- love this one!

There are even details on the inside of the fork blades

All in all I am really happy with how it came together.  I still have a few things to dial in and a front rack I haven't mounted yet but this is one bike I plan to hang onto and hopefully do some credit card touring with.  Now I just need to start riding it!

Until next time ride smile and repeat.