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Spelljammer - Rim Brake Randonneur

$1,600.00
$1,600.00
Sold Out

Style | Frameset

Color | Oxblood

Size | Small

Quantity

- +

Spelljammer - Rim Brake Randonneur

$1,600.00
$1,600.00
Sold Out

Style

Frameset

Color

Oxblood

Size

Small

Added to Cart View Cart or Continue Shopping.

*This is a pre-book. It's going to take about eight months to fill the order. We'll be placing it at the end of August, so with shipping we should be delivering the frames early next Summer. We hope to do sizes sizes S,M,L,XL,XXL - We have to order 15 of each size and are not going to order XXL without some prebook commitments. So tall folks, jump on it if you’re interested because this is the only chance. We plan to make 75 or so frames total.*

The Spelljammer is one of those wish fulfillment bikes. We made it simply because it's a bike we all wanted in our stables and because we could. We took a bit of inspiration from Jeff's beloved classic canti Space Horse, the versatility of the iconic Cross Check, and current developments in gravel, to create our own interpretation of a classic randonneuring bike. 

What is a randonneuring bicycle? There are a number of nebulous definitions floating around the internet and here is our take, which was the guiding principle for this project: It is a long distance machine. Meant to cover ground efficiently over a variety of road surfaces while carrying enough supplies to support the effort in all weather types. 

Our interpretation is meant to be a modern take on the genre without being overly slavish to the historic form. Because of this it has some modern features like three pack mounts for choice in how you carry cargo, and a threadless headset, which we favor because of the ease of adjustment with just allen wrenches rather than having to carry a large headset wrench. 

We wanted it to be of heirloom quality so it's got smooth filed fillets, just like we build in our Minneapolis workshop, but at less than half the price because they're built by a specialty brazing shop in Taiwan. We've been riding them since last Fall, and we've really come to be impressed by them, and hope you will too. 
 
If it's a "modern take," why rim brakes? 
All of our production bikes are tested to the most stringent ISO standards for their category. In order to pass testing, a disc brake bike requires thicker (heavier) fork legs and chainstays than a rim brake bike. By utilizing rim brakes we are able to use lighter tubes for a more compliant and smoother ride. Plus, we already have several worthy disc brake bikes in our lineup, and we do love the classic aesthetics of a good rim brake bicycle. 

Why is this only a one-run bike?
On the island of Taiwan there is literally only one person left in the trade who does the kind of delicate filing required for these large fillets to look good. They are getting up there in age and are semi-retired at this point. They've also gotten really into farming and are now only working around their harvest / planting schedule. They've agreed to do one last batch, which is why we have to make this happen now. And can't do it again.

Why is it $1600 for a rim brake frameset?
It's expensive because it's expensive to make. The amount of fine hand work involved in these things is ridiculous. In our own workshop, our frame builder, Brad, spends as much time filing fillets as he does in the actual frame construction. There's a reason big hand-filed fillets are a dying art form, because it's extremely labor intensive and thus expensive. If you see the value in it, cool. If you don't, no worries. 

In addition to the labor intensive nature of the frame construction, the fork adds considerable cost to the bike. To match the character of the frame, we didn't want to use any old off-the-shelf crown. Instead we contacted Pacenti and sought permission to use their gorgeous PBP fork crown.  In our minds it's THE rando fork crown. The crowns aren't cheap, but they are ideal for this application. 

And heck, with with way things are going tariffs will probably make them even more expensive by the time they get here, but by pre-booking your price is locked in. 

What's so special about that dropout?
That dropout is a direct result of this bike's lineage. The Space Horse canti-version has become a bit of a cult-icon. They are terrifically reasonable, great handling and smooth riding bikes. They're the bike that really launched All-City to a wider audience and were a huge milestone in Jeff's career in the bike industry. Our friend Anna Schwinn designed this dropout when they both worked at All-City together, and we've always felt it was an inspired design. It keeps all the good things about a semi-horizontal dropout: single speed capability, the ability to adjust wheelbase length, compatibility with fenders, etc, but adds a little nubbin at the front that allows it to function more like a vertical dropout when running with a QR. That nubbin perfectly orients the hanger with the axle, and you won't pull the wheel out when using lightweight axles and skewers when you're putting down the power. 

Designer's Notes
*We asked Blaise for notes on his decision making and he just gave us some bullet points, some are covered in the features, the ones that aren't are below...*

Canti brakes 

• Allows use of a lighter tube set for a more comfortable, compliant ride
• There are so many cool vintage parts that need a good frame to call home
• We left the rear cable stop off incase you want to use Vee’s
• The brake posts are spaced slightly farther apart for modern wider rims

Dropouts
• We used the same casting as the original Space Horse, and were able to add our lightning moon logo
• Single speed / fixed gear compatible
• 132.5mm spacing for more hub and chainline options
• Able to fine tune chainstay length for riding preference 

Cable routing
• No downtube braze-ons means nothing to cut your knees on when running single speed, fixed or 1x
• Internal brake routing for frame bag mounting
• Full housing for better all weather performance
• BB cable stop included for front derailleur if desired

Geometry
• More fork offset with more compliant, extra curvy fork blades
• Lower trail for better handling with front loads

• Slightly longer top tube in case you want to run a flat bar
• Smaller sizes optimized for more stand over and no toe overlap with 700’s
• Clearance for bigger tires while keeping a spirited ride characteristic

Braze ons
• F&R rack mounts for light touring and general cargo carrying
• Mid-blade mounts for low riders or platform racks, 3 pack mounts for cargo or H2O
• Underside fender mounts front and rear for clean metal fender installation
• Internal dynamo routing on fork with exit placed for crown or rack mounted lights
• Pump peg cause they’re classy as heck (Editors Note, Blaise didn't say "heck")
-Blaise


FRAME FEATURES

  • Smooth filed large fillets
  • Uses the "Space Horse" dropout designed by Anna Schwinn
  • Tire clearance 700c X 45mm
  • Bottle mount on top of downtube and seat tube with three pack mount under downtube
  • Fender mounts
  • Rack mounts
  • Pump Peg
  • Frame weight: 4lbs 14oz (medium)

STEEL FORK FEATURES

  • Pacenti PBP fork crown
  • Fender mounts
  • Double eyelet on fork ends
  • Mid-Blade mount
  • Three-pack mounts
  • Internal dynamo routing routing
  • Tire clearance 700c X 45mm
  • Underside fender mounts for clean metal fender installation 

GEOMETRY

TUBING

Wilde TLC - Tough, Light, Compliant
Our own proprietary double-butted, chromoly tubeset. TLC stands for tough, light, and compliant which are the characteristics we select for. On each model and size, we select the optimum blend of tubing diameters, wall thickness, and butting profiles to yield a frame that is both built to last, as light as practical, and comfortable for the rider.  

FRAME SPEC

  • Traditional straight headtube for EC34/34 headsets
  • 68mm English threaded bottom bracket shell
  • Cantilever Brake Mount
  • 132.5 mm rear spacing, so you can use 130 or 135 hubs
  • Seatpost: 27.2mm
  • Cable Guides: Modular guides under the downtube, internal routing for rear brake and full loop braze-ons on the stays (No Zip Ties)

FORK SPEC

  • Cantilever Brake Mount
  • 100mm spacing

COMPLETE BIKE
We can also build yours up any way you want, we'd love to create your dream machine according to your taste and budget. We work with all the major component suppliers, as well as with many small niche makers. Contact us to get started.

FINISH

Phosphate dipped and E.D. Coated for corrosion resistance and durability. Wet paint finish. Color: Brownish-Red Metallic

DELIVERY

We expect to ship these to customers in early Summer 2026

SAFETY

Please read the bicycle owners manual before riding. This is important for safe operation of your new bike. 
Bicycle Owners Manual