Bike Build – Page 2 – Seven Cycles

Like Elves

When you make things (like elves), you find very quickly that there is never a time when someone doesn’t want you to make something. And so, we have had a very busy December here at Seven. Rather than wax rhapsodic about the spirit of the season, let us just say how grateful we are to be able to make things people want (like elves do), and wish you all a happy holiday season.

Here are some brief scenes from shop this week:

A painter sprays a bicycle frame inside a booth A Seven paint template invoving Matt Ranger, Gloss Hot Pink, and brushed titanium The front third of a Seven Evergreen SL tandem with S and S couplers Dozens of short coped pieces TIG welded together on a work bench Four images of bicycle frames being painted in stands

Joe’s Expat SL

Here is a do-everything touring machine we built for Joe with our friends at Spokes, Etc. in Alexandria, VA. This Expat SL incorporate S&S couplings, front and rear rack & fender mounts, a kickstand, belt drive, generator hub, extra water bottle mount and a pump peg. We like this build because it really demonstrates the extent to which a rider can personalize a Seven to produce what is, for them, the ultimate bike for the purpose (or many purposes).

Seven Expat painted lime green trace with painted matching frame pump front headlamp mounred to front fork Seven Expat SL in bright green trace scheme

Photos by Mike Gregerson

Magic Hour

Liam finishing

It’s hot in the shop this time of year. Some days the air doesn’t move much and the heavy whir of fans makes the place sound like an aircraft hangar.

But late in the afternoon, as the sun slants toward the horizon, it floods in at the back windows and bathes the place in this beautiful light that overcomes the fluorescents. We call it magic hour.

Magic hour

John’s Airheart

John shoulders his Airheart S at the coast

This is John and his Seven Airheart. We built this one with our friend Eric at Pleasant Hill Cyclery. John went with a simple matte black paint job over his steel frame, then built the bike out with wide range Shimano Ultegra cassette and a set of Rolf Prima Elan wheels.

He says:

Hi Seven,

I hope all is well with you… apologies for my delay, I built out my Airheart in March. Since then I’ve done a number of short to long, easy to tough rides and throughout the Airheart performed much better than originally anticipated. I cannot detect any difference in performance from having frame couplers and not. As far as where my Airheart fits in my ‘bike’ world… right between my Merckx and Parlee. I would have no issue if I my Airheart was my ‘only’ bike but I’m glad I have all three !!

A bike fitted with S and S couplers fits into a square case

I‘ve included a few pics of the final build and from my first [airline] trip to Maui and Haleakala Crater. Jeez, packing the Airheart was so much easier with the Rolf Prima wheels as the cassette, shaft and free-hub easily come off.

The total bike weight less water bottles and saddle bag is 18 LB., just a half pound heavier than my Merckx EMX-5 and 2 LB’s heavier than my Parlee Z5.

Many thanks to you and Seven Cycles !!

Sincerely,

John

Introducing Project RedSky

RedSky side view

A red morning sky tells sailors that bad weather lies ahead. Project RedSky is our way of making all the bad weather days rideable, no, not just rideable, maximally rideable, lovable, to turn those rainy, snowy, off days into your favorite days to be out on the bike.

Here’s how we did it:

Lightweight: A typical RedSky builds up at 1.5 to 2.0 lbs lighter than an equivalent disc brake bike. The bike is the same weight as any lightweight road bike; the mid-reach brake calipers are only about 30 grams heavier than most lightweight short reach brakes. The bike pictured tips the scales at 16.2 lbs with the MSO 32c tires; without pedals.
Tire Choices: From a 23c road slick to a 33c knobby and everything in between, the RedSky is even more versatile than a true cyclocross bike. On 33c tires, clearance is limited, but tire option versatility will be appreciated in some riding conditions. True tire clearance depends on measured tire width, rim width, and brake caliper choice. Perhaps most importantly, the RedSky can also fit studded tires.
All Weather: Designed to fit fenders with up to 28c tires.
High Performance: This design sacrifices nothing compared to any performance road bike. It’s fast, agile, and accelerates with the best of bikes.
Optimal Handling: Seven’s 5E fork allows for matching the fork rake to the frame geometry so there’s no compromise to the bike’s front end handling.
Hidden Fender Mounts: At dropouts and chainstay bridge. The mounts are there when you want them, but hidden when you don’t.
Travel Bike: Simple brake system makes for fast, easy, and lightweight bike travel.

RedSky frame's seat cluster

Overall, the Redsky provides you most of the benefits of an Evergreen — a versatile mixed-terrain disc brake bike — while being as light as a pure performance road bike. Designed specifically for harsh environments, the RedSky loves the rain, sleet, and even snow and ice. Boston sees an average of 80 rain days a year; why miss that many days of riding?

The RedSky will make everyday a riding day.

What defines RedSky is its versatility. No other rim brake bike offers the same breadth of tire choices, rack and fender options, lighting possibilities. We’ll show you, in the coming days, just a few of the ways you can build your Seven RedSky.