Titanium Crown Jewel Posted on April 23rd 2014
’11 Titanium Crown Jewel
Owner: Joseph Tousignant
From: New York, USA
Paint: Raw Titanium
Comments: This particular (used) 54cm Independent Fabrication Titanium Crown Jewel frame had JUST what I needed, a super long head tube (177.5mm). It was originally custom ordered by the previous owner for similar health issues.
At age 57, and with calcific rotator cuff tendonitis in my right shoulder, as well as arthritis in my neck,…..riding more upright is now a necessity.
This frame rides SO NICE, and for me now with lessened pain and much more enjoyment! The right bike makes ALL the difference if you also have health issues!
This Ti Crown Jewel came with a Reynolds Ouzo Pro carbon fork and a Chris King headset, purchased from an ebay auction for just $1325 plus $75 shipping!
Quite a bargain, and being “used” the only way I could ever swing one of these fabulous bicycles, having been out of work now about 5 years.
This was one of the last frames to be built in Somerville, MA before they moved. Also has the neat Sterling Silver Head Badge!
First pic is prior to buildup. I thought I would include some of the customizations I have added that makes this build a little special, at least to me :-) Most ALL of the items came to me used, through patient and frequent ebay and internet searches.
I built it up as a simple 1 x 8 speed, as that is plenty for my commuting needs. Much easier to keep clean and tidy also, with the extra space between cogs.
I had “Ti-Cycles” make a combination headset spacer-light mount tube that helps keep my handlebar clear and uncluttered. The pulled back and very comfortable Ti handlebars are from Budnitz, and the seat post is a Ti Kent Eriksen. Bottom bracket is a 68x113mm used Phil Wood that I just had serviced by them.
The “pseudo” double outer chain ring was made into a custom chain guard by me, as the fitting to the old Shimano Dura Ace FC-7402 crank was SO well machined seemed a shame to though out a worn out chain ring. I cut the tips off and used a 1/2″ sanding disc on a flex shaft machine to smooth out the outer edge. I could have removed all remnants of the old teeth, but felt the “look” of a double more appropriate. (BTW, I’ve made a total of 4 of these chain guards for use on other bikes)
The Dura Ace hubs are laced to Mavic Open Pro “SUP” rims, and are solid for my commutes. The 8 speed indexed shifter is by Suntour,….probably the best made “thumbie” ever made,… the XC Pro. Used with a Dura Ace RD-7700 rear derailleur (using the “B” position of cable attachment as shown in the Shimano documentation file I found online) it shifts smoothly. Brooks B-17 “Aged” saddle on top, and super comfy once you break in in as I usually do in about 10 minutes!
I make the Brooks “aged” saddles comfy immediately by coating top and bottom with Brooks proofide while attached to a seatpost and held in hand. I place a plastic bag over the seat to prevent the proofide from getting absorbed into the canvas bag placed over the seat top (folded up into 4 layers thick), and POUND the seat with a leather mallet about 300 times. Spread the hits out evenly, and I avoid the areas around the rivets, since it’s the main leather body I want to loosen up anyway. I have 5 of these seats, and all of them benefited from this treatment before using. In spite of what Brooks states as these being comfortable immediately. eI found them ROCK HARD out of the box! lol
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A heap of great pics added too
Man, I really REALLY like this bike A LOT! Sweet headlight holder!!!
Yeah,….the combination headset spacer/light mount was an idea I had last year, and the folks at “Ti Cycles” were kind enough to weld it up for me using their 30mm spacer and a 2″ piece of 22.2mm handlebar material. ($110.00 shipped as I recall) A standard handlebar cap finishes off the end. As long as you have a longish steering tube so the light will clear the top tube, it keeps the clutter off the bar. :-) I actually emailed them earlier today to get a few more made for 2 of my other favorite bikes.
For those wondering about some of the other items, I forgot to mention the fork is a steel Surly “Pacer” fork. I wanted the option to add a front fender or possibly a rack down the line. I also trust chromoly much more than the Reynolds Ouzo Pro carbon that came with the frame :-) The Reynolds fork rode very nice, BTW,…but so does the much safer Surly. :-)
The old school pedals are Shimano PD-M730 like the ones that came on my 1987 Schwinn Cimmeron rigid MTB. I’ve always liked these as I never slip, and have picked up 5 pairs on ebay over the years for some of my other bikes. Throw any rubber soled shoe, sneaker, or sandel on,….. and away you go! lol
Anyway,…as we get older, riding in a comfortable more upright position is almost a necessity. Helps a lot to see traffic on the road also,……which helps you to get,,,well,…OLDER! A win/win. LOL