|
|
Dirt Rag Fresh Dirt
|
|
|
4.6.2006
The Specialty Files: Paul Thomasburg
By: Maurice Tierney
 Paul Thomasburg was around in what we'll call the "experimental" stages of mountain biking—the '70s. Breakage was an issue and this led Paul to design and build his own frame with the help of framebuilder Kimo Tanaka in 1980.
Yes, that's an 18" motorcycle rim laced to a 140mm Phil Wood tandem hub. You'll also notice the cranks—one piece Tikagis with homemade triple chainrings made from modified Schwinn doubles.
The main tubes are 1.25" in diameter, so Paul had to cobble a front derailleur together from spare bits. Power is transferred through a Sedis chain into a New Winner freewheel. Stopping is handled by Tomaselli motorcycle levers and Mafac cantilever brakes. The fork is a unicrown Cook Brothers BMX cruiser type.
This bike feels like a boat anchor when you pick it up, but Paul rode it all day during the Crossroads Bike Fest last year, and he was in front the whole time.
Ed Note: This article originally appeared in Dirt Rag issue #120. Click here for Maurice's gallery from the Crossroads bike fest.
Got any Fresh Dirt? Click here to send it to us.
|
|
 |
