Frank the Welder is building me an "ARC 29"!!!

[ryano42]

After some time talking to Frank I pulled the trigger!

Frank is making most probably my last bike frame.

It's a modern version of a Yeti I always wanted but was too big for; the original ARC.

This will be a super beefy 29er version in 6061, having loopstays, guitar cable routing and the oval top tube.

As much as I dig the modern incarnation of Yeti, and I had an AS-R several years ago, the Big Top didn't have the old style I was looking for in a niner version of the old ARC.

I also wanted any aspects of weight saving thrown out with a complete focus on over-building the frame. I remember in 94 almost being able to crinkle an ARC downtube.

Frank said this frame is going to be about 40% thicker and heavier than the Old ARC.

I must also say my serious riding days are long gone, after hockey injuries, sciatica and operations, I just want to cruise and trail ride! Weight doesn't matter to me...heck back in the day I raced a tank; my 93 Pro FRO was around 31 lbs. and I still ride it on occasion today!

[ryano42]

i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...2/bentube2.jpg

i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...2/looptail.jpg

Frank is great to work with! FTW RULES!!!

[bungalogan]

Was unable to see the last two photos but please share the finished product with us.

[ryano42]

Give this a try...






Frame just got out of heat treating so full pics soon!

[robgclarkson]

what colour scheme will you be going for?

i'm more than a touch jealous !!!

so looking forward to seeing the finished article..

is that a straight steerer tube on there? if so, why? wouldn't it be better having a tapered one then you're not limited to 1,1/8" forks only?

[ryano42]

It's going to be a semi-transparent Turquoise powder coat with Block 90's style FTW graphics. The semi-transparent should really show off Frank's welds!

I went with 1 1/8 because it's what's on my current OS Blackbuck 29er and I wanted shift most parts over.

I also thought it would look more retro!

[robgclarkson]

fair play man, it's your bike, it's gonna be amazing either way

[Andrew]

Looking forward to seeing it

[andrewk]

Awesome!

[ryano42]

The color is going to be a Candy Turquoise powder coat like:

www.allpowderpaints.com/powder-coating-colors/candy-turquoise/

I am thinking putting FTW's in about same position as my 93 Pro FRO's original graphics:



Any feedback/ideas are greatly appreciated! The frame comes back from heat treatment on Friday More pics soon!

[andrewk]

This is such an exciting project and I've dreamed about doing something similar for a few years. Anyway, if you are looking for ideas, search Google for Yeti FRO images, lots of classic inspiration.

[ryano42]

Latest from Frank:

It's going to be a Turquoise tinted clearcoat to accentuate the weld work and the FTW's are going in the same places as the YETI's on my FRO!

Frame arrives back tomorrow from heat treat so I will have FULL FRAME pictures to share!!!

Thanks guys for your help and inspiration.

[ryano42]

Just back from heat treatment, now finishing work then off to the paint stop for Candy Turquoise tinted clear coat!

[robgclarkson]

Looking good so far, can't wait to see it all built up...

[FF]

Love it .. of the bikes I am fortunate to own, the ARC is the one I would keep if i had to choose just one.

Can't wait to see those pictures and the finished build.

Great work :-)