Boulder Bicycle

Winter 2012 Pricing and Information

 

Current wait for a tig Boulder Bicycle frame/fork is 7 weeks.  For a lugged frame the wait is 9 weeks

In addition to frames, we also sell complete bicycles, but our shop is already booked-up with complete bicycle builds through April 2012.  The next available build slots for a complete bicycle build are during May 2012.  Many of our customers purchase a frame/fork and perhaps some special rando parts from us, and either assemble it themselves or patronize their local bicycle shop for the build.  This is an ideal choice for the customer that wants the frame and specialized parts that are unique to us, yet needs the support and assistance of their local shop.

 

Why is Boulder Bicycle Special? A Boulder Bicycle frame represents the latest step in a journey to build frames that perform without compromise.  The designs of our randonneur frames are obtained through careful study of classic Rene Herse geometries and those of other French makers.  Some of the "classic" designs work better than others, and we obviously select those from the best-performing historic examples. Over the past 10 years the French randonneur bicycle saw a rebirth in the United States.  Mike Kone, lead designer at Boulder Bicycle, was one of the early proponents of French randonneur machines.  In fact, some of the most notable writers and modern proponents for this style of bicycle saw their first Rene Herse bicycles in Massachusetts when Mike Kone owned Bicycle Classics inc. Classic geometries are juxtaposed with modern materials to create the current line of Boulder Bicycles.  Waterford Precision Cycles does the actual frame construction.  Waterford was somewhat reluctant to embrace the low trial and light tube specifications used on Boulder Bicycles, but they have come to appreciate the performance of these machines.  In addition, Waterford brings expertise to the Boulder Bicycle line which is unique to the industry.  Waterford has arguably built more custom and semi-custom high-end steel frames than perhaps any builder in the county.  Their understanding of materials combined with their access to proprietary materials is an invaluable asset.  They are unyielding in their quest for reliability. There are many builders constructing randonneur style bicycles.  But our extensive experience yields advantages.  We know what geometries are most likely to perform well.  We know when we are pushing the envelope with extra light tubing.  And as students of bicycle history with many examples we've personally ridden, we know what is most likely to work well for a rider. Many of our Boulder Bicycle customers think of their purchase as a stepping stone to a Rene Herse.  They are welcome to think that.  But in reality, there is no performance gain in going to a more costly frame.  If there was a better tube or a better geometry for performance, we would use it on the Boulder Bicycle.  But there isn't.  Now a Rene Herse frame (or a frame from some other wonderful builders such as Peter Weigle) may offer cleaner wiring integration or more elegant lug shaping or fancier racks.  But when it is you and the bicycle and the mountain, your Boulder Bicycle will deliver the same ride and performance as a frame costing many times more.  So please take advantage of our experience and eye for value, and let us supply you with the bicycle that will provide the ride of your dreams.

 

 

Rando Frame and fork - Made in USA T I G   Construction 650b or 700c   You can pay more for a frame, but you can't get a better riding frame.  From the wizards in Waterford WI.   Frames feature a true low-trail design.  Stock tubing is lightweight oversize.  We design the frames to be as lively as possible yet still provide the stability and resistance to shimmy that we've found most riders prefer.
Pricing Information		A few words about our pricing
Stock frame/fork if you purchase from our online store and use our provided sizing information to determine your optimal frame  $1,385 Stock frame/fork with sizing consultation  $1,485 Frame/fork with fully custom geometry and tube selection $1,685 add $100 to above prices for in-store personalized fitting		Our Boulder Bicycle program has been a runaway success.  But we've realized that our pricing wasn't realistic.   We noticed that some frames are very quick to spec, while others are much more complicated.  We also realized that our margins were not where they need to be for long-term viability. Plus, some of our costs for 2012 increased.  So we made the choice to bump prices as necessary, while being certain that our pricing remains highly competitive. Plus, when you consider our rapid delivery capability for frames and forks, the Boulder Bicycle remains an outstanding option for the performance oriented rider. You will notice that if you can fit our stock geometry AND you can choose your frame size on your own, there is a considerable cost savings. We are pleased to pass on our production and time savings to our customers where we can.

 

Rando Frame and fork - Made in USA Lugged  Construction 650b or 700c For those who want the elegance of lugs at an a reasonable price.  You can pay more for a frame, but you will not get a better riding frame.  The workmanship is very nice and takes advantage of the decades of experience from Waterford Precision Cycles.  Pricing Information A few more details Full custom geometry and customized tube selection with fastback style seatstays, single color.  $ 1,995 Options   Contrasting headtube panel  $125 Handpainted lettering  $275 Flat seatstay caps  $95 We'd love to explain why a lugged frame will perform better - but we can't.  The tig frame option rides just as well.  In fact, the tig frame rides as well as our Rene Herse bicycles.  But lots of folks, including ourselves, love the look of lugs.  We especially enjoy the look of contrasting panels and cleanly brazed lug shorelines.  So if you are drawn to lugs for similar reasons, we are here to help you indulge.  But don't purchase a lugged frame for the wrong reasons.  A tig frame with modern air hardened tubes is a great way to build a frame.      Please see the spring 2009 issue of Bicycle Quarterly for a great review of our 700c Boulder Bicycle Brevet Model.   The review confirms that we met our goal of producing a bicycle that performs wonderfully at a very attractive price.    We are pleased to suggest the use of the Nitto M12 rack on our Boulder Bicycles. The Nitto rack is beautifully made, and has a very nice chrome finish.   Skinny 7/4/7 Tubing available on Boulder Bicycle frames as a custom option   (subject to rider weight and application)   Why Another Bicycle Brand   After listening and examining the market, we realized that something was missing. Performance oriented randonneur cyclists until now had very few if any complete bicycle options.  Most randonneurs typically "piece together" their machine. Most typical bicycles  while suitable for randonneuring with modification are suboptimal for the task.  A serious randonneur needs low trail geometry designed for a handlebar bag and wider tires, full lighting, and frame tubing optimized for rider performance.     The reality is that many bicycle producers equate randonneur riding with "take your time and smell the flowers."  We love that attitude - but it isn't for everyone.  Some randonneurs are very concerned with speed as well;  for those riders, compromises in design that detract from the performance of the bicycle are unacceptable.  Boulder Bicycle makes bicycles that are a tool for the performance oriented randonneur and a treat for those more casually minded.   At Boulder Bicycle, we realized that it would be possible to offer a bicycle that offers nearly everything the randonneur cyclist could want (our Rene Herse Bicycles offer everything, but not everybody is ready for that step).  We merge lightweight tubing in skinny or oversize shapes with classic French geometry based on classic Rene Herse designs.    Who Else might Want a Boulder Bicycle?   In addition to performance oriented randonneurs, we believe that your neighbors and friends will benefit from a Boulder Bicycle.  Here in Boulder, we meet up with lots of folks who like to ride, but don't "compete".  They enjoy charity rides, brisk 25 mile training rides, and aspire to do the 120 mile Triple Bypass Ride in the mountains.  They also know that there is a nearly endless network of dirt roads waiting to be explored.  Their typical road bike is not fun on the dirt and to do the longer rides means trying to figure out how to carry all sorts of stuff a typical race bike won't accommodate.  Most of these folks don't realize that wide tires are typically just a fast (or faster!) as skinny tires but offer a world of advantages.  At Boulder Bicycle, we encourage you to spread the word!   The Models   We offer two models, the Boulder Brevet and the Boulder All-Road.  These models are extremely similar but differ primarily by wheel sizes.  The Brevet model is designed and optimized for 700c tires from 27mm through 32mm.  We specifically had the wonderful Grand Bois 30mm tire in mind when we designed this bicycle.   We also run the Challenge Paris Robaix (rated 27mm, really 29mm)  on these bicycles.  The Boulder All-Road is a machine optimized for 650b tires in the 38 to 42mm range.  Unlike some 650b frames, the All-Road uses lightweight tubing and is perfectly suited for Brevet riding as well as a gentle meander down a dirt road.  We generally make each Boulder Bicycle as light as possible while maintaining good handling; many steel frames tend to be overbuilt for utility.  Our bicycles are built for performance.  Frame weight is optimized for the application, not a budget.   For smaller riders, the Boulder Brevet is optimized for 650b 32mm tires to give added front center.    Our bicycles are designed for generator lighting - specifically the SON generator hub.  Boulder Bicycle forks have external loops for wiring along the fork, and special provision for routing wires through the frame.  An entry hole (reinforced) on the underside of the downtube is now standard.   The frames are painted in a light blue color that has received near universal praise and we think it looks great!  In case you think differently, we can offer nearly unlimited custom paint options, but there is an up charge depending on the color selected.      The Sizes We like to think of Boulder Bicycles in terms of top tube length.  The following is a breakdown of the sizing options.   Frames are designed to provide a relatively upright position that many Brevet riders seem to prefer.  Fully custom geometry is available as an option.   NOTE:  Scroll down to the very bottom of this page...way down.....for some more fitting information!

 

Size and wheel/tire size	Top tube length - theoretical due to sloping top tube	Seatube length - Actual to top, but less than theoretical due to slope for most sizes models to enhance standover clearance	Seatube Angle	Headtube Angle
Size A - optimized for 650b 32mm	51.5 cm	47 cm	75 degrees	71.5 degrees
Size B - 650b or 700c	53 cm	51 cm	74.5 degrees	72 degrees
Size C - 650b or 700c	54.5 cm	54.5 cm	74 degrees	72 degrees
Size D - 650b or 700c	56 cm	56.5 cm	73.5 degrees	72.5 degrees
Size E - 650b or 700c	57.5 cm	59 cm	73 degrees	73 degrees
Size F - 650b or 700c	59 cm	62cm	72.5 degrees	73 degrees
Size G - 650b or 700c	61 cm	66cm	72.5 degrees	73 degrees

 

To Order

To order, we require a $900 deposit which will get your frame into production. You can phone in - but if you want to take advantage of our special discount for working through the sizing yourself, you must order directly from our on-line store.  (if you don't like to order on-line, you can phone in your credit card info, its OK) 

Sizing Information

Click Here for a PDF illustrating these measurements

When we size a bicycle for someone, we like to get three pieces of information.  This information is easiest if supplied in metric - plus the charts below can help also!

1)   Saddle height.  On a bicycle that fits well, get the measurement from center of crank to top of saddle.

2)   Reach.  This is simple but the hardest to explain.  Look at the bike from the side. Now consider the line going through the center axis of the seatube, then it extends through the center of the seatpost, and then continues until it "pierces" the top of the saddle.  From the point where the top of the saddle is "pierced" by this imaginary line to the top center of the handlebars is the Reach.

3)   Saddle to bar drop.  Also known as the difference in height between the bars and the saddle.  It is easiest to measure by taking the measurement from ground to top of saddle, then ground to top of bars, then subtract the difference.  Then be sure to make a note which of these is higher. Usually the bars are lower than the saddle, but that is not always the case, especially on rando oriented machines.

Now, if your reference bike doesn't fit well, or if the seatangle of your bike is not "typical", or if you are using a post with extra setback (or no setback), please let us know.  But as a rough guide, these numbers work really well for dialing in the fit on the vast majority of riders who are comfortable and set up well on their current bikes.

 

Home