So I Named it Miele

It all began in January with research for a new clothes dryer to replace my Miele that runs with only questionable reliability and can no longer be repaired. (The initial thoughts of a new frame date back further, but that's a different story.) My laundry care research was interrupted by an email from Rivendell announcing a pre-sale on a shipment of expected Joe Appaloosa frames. One of the few benefits of my new solo living situation - unanimous consent in approving the purchase of bike in place of a new dryer.

Justifying a tighter than I'd like budget with rational that I could get by for another year with my drying rack and clothesline.  I thought "build it up with excess parts and scavenging parts of another donor in the fleet temporarily..."

It didn't take too long until the new parts started rolling in 😀 I'd thought I would build it up fixed gear with a White Industries ENO 

Killing time before frame delivery found me in the basement shop sanding and polishing the already shiny White Industries cog. You can see the new Sim-Works fenders in the background (how could I resist?)

I all-but hugged the UPS driver when the frame arrived - excitedly unboxed for a nervous living room stand-over test fit for size. Note to self: trust Rivendell on size recommendation

It was a late night in the basement shop on delivery day. Preparing frame and test fitting different parts to see what might work.I settled on this mock up before going to bed. Fenders stuffed with packing material to evaluate fender fit

The next day was a swap of saddle, chain, and a quick but chilly debut roll through the neighborhood as a brakeless fixed gear.

In light of a quickly unfolding world crisis and uninspired by the way things were coming together progress stalled until the last of my parts orders arrived on Thursday night. I'd prepared for potential build options by ordering an extra rim and White Industries geared hub from Rivendell.

Final assembly and a few shake down rides over the weekend served as a welcome distraction from the news.  The time alone also spurred a couple of creative solutions for real problems that didn't exist.

This is my hack solution for a rack mounted tail light. In the past, I've t. My solution to cut the side tabs off the Planet Bike rack mount in the past worked, but the single hole meant the light could rotate.  I shaped, drilled, and tapped a bit of aluminum stock I'd previously purchased at the hardware store to bolt onto the Nitto rack and prevent rotation.

My final hack was inspired when finishing up the wiring for the headlight

I noticed that the vent holes on the fork seemed larger than I'd noticed on other bikes. Eyeballed my 4mm tap and the fit seemed almost perfect. Quick trip to the garage for a little brazing, filing, and a final polish to create a little something to hold the wire.

This final build was a mix of old and new parts from inventory and a few discretionary purchases (most notably wheel components.)

• Phil Wood BB and NOS Suntour Superbe Pro crank & 42t chainring
• White Industries M15 rear hub, SONdelux and Edelux II headlight
• H Plus Son TB14 rims
• Dura Ace 7700 HG50 14x25 9 speed cassette
• Nitto racks and handlebars
• Dia-Compe 980 cantilevers
• Sim-Works fenders
• Brooks B67 saddle & plump grips

There are a few things that I still need to add: kickstand, cup holder, bell, and lip balm holder of course!  Pretty certain that the configuration will change and evolve over time. For now, looking forward to improving weather and mental health/anxiety relieving riding

Full gallery of images hosted on Flikr page here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmM8MPDX