nice kicks… along with your bike. totally agree with NG

so i take it army green is your fave color lol…my cars caned that same green haha…. you remind me of peewee from Kumbia kings lol…

Like the way the shirt matches the frame. Bright shoes. Good to be seen by car drivers. Are those bullet holes in the tree in the last shot? Was wondering if the “fan club” had caught up with you already. Good to see your boat at last. Cheers Luftie.

I love this bike! And I love you too Luftmensh.

Yeah right Luft….so he can hack you up with a dull axe?

Surprise, you don’t look nearly as arrogant as you come off. And the bars are too long but make a dandy coat rack.

ng, you know I was kidding right?
wsb, you haven’t seen me talking about my writing.
slo, give it up haha
fab, yes had to rethread but not a big deal. it seems common most modern commuterish bikes come with higher steerer tubes standard for a more ergonomic stance, which, frankly, looks dumb.

I’ll begin work on the bars immediately because I value your opinions. That and I’ve been wanting to for some time. Angle grinder? Cheers boys.

I agree that there are some steerer tubes that are way out of control. But frankly I wouldn’t have included yours in that group. I don’t think it looked bad with the additional inch. But it doesnt look wrong with it gone either. I took a peek at the “Tank” thread to make sure I wasn’t just misremembering. Bars like yours, and the Noah’s arc which i am currently on just amaze out of the box. Who would *ever* want them that long? Even if you had to fit two brake levers and shifters? Even with doubled barrelled bells they are obscenely wide. The Somas were 57cms new? That’s just insane. How much are you going to shave?

Hacksaw works too of course and a file to smooth it after cutting. The Noah’s Arc is the one I cut three times around 6 inches shorter now and still plenty of bar.

@WSB: I am at minus 4″ currently and feel like I could take some more off without issue. I was thinking of an inch per side, which would bring me to where you are. The one thing I am nervous of is that the Arc isn’t actually a perfect arc, and I don’t want to end up with a flat bar without the slope.

well you defnetly look nothing like what I envisioned(not a bad thing)and nice bike,apart from the bars I like it,maybe there can be a post for everyone to post a head/body shot with their bikes and put (headshot) next to the title?….maybe not but next time I post a bike I will be in it

Luftmensh, you are a superstar, like the update. I think the risers are fine, depending on what your using them for. I always judge my riser length in regards to, how small of a space I would like to be able to squeeze through when riding. It’s a moto jungle out there, you don’t wanna clip a car or mirror with the end of your bars. Enjoy!

John Thompsonn are you sleeping ?

Lufty,how do you figure Japanese frames are smaller?A 55cm is still 55cm even in Tokyo.nice frames but still sized the same.Now Italian sizing,that is weird.My two Bianchis are 55s but one measures out at 57,the other at 54.enjoy it though,hope it works out good.

LOL–thats about right.I think it has to do with stated weight/size.Or maybe not.Anyway they sure know what looks great!cheers

you look like a dick. just what i was expecting by reading you comments. plus you have no style at all.

@sup – what a sick wheel set on your Cannondale
@luft – 55cm is 55cm is 55cm – international standard. The only difference would be bikes like wes’ that have a much higher bottom bracket. So as he says, his 53 is like a 57.

Luftie, Daniel’s Simonelli Centurion is a sharp bike. And, you are a less than diplomatic critiquester !

Sorry guys I don’t want to be the town asshole anymore.

i dunno luft..after seeing some of your latest comments and looking over your bicycle, you come off like a prick. i have a particular taste and comment on bikes i dont like..but there is a way to go about it. i keep in mind that most people have a connection to their bikes and nomatter what my taste is, they are proud of their bike. im not saying its wrong to critique, thats the point of the site..but i feel like, if you see a bike and say “that (kishamax)saddle look like crap” and you have a cheap velo saddle on your bike, well..you opinion is automatically considered dog shit by others. im not speaking bad of you. i just think youve come off like a cunt lately.

so, about the bike..not my taste but not horrible. i think an upgraded crank and saddle would help. and the bars are a bit wide. while im not a fan of your frameset, if its all you had to work with i think youve made the best of it. not bad..i give it a 7.

@luft i am sorry for saying you look like a dick.
but reading your bad comments on almost every bike here really pisses me off. (me and 90% of the community here)
oh and i know that you dont care and you wont quit…

I humbly accept your bashing, criticism and critique of the tank. I’ve become too inconsiderate in my comments and haven’t taken into account a person’s intimate connection with their bike. That joke was in bad taste but I am not a racist, and without pointing fingers plenty of you others have made racist comments in the past. No this doesn’t justify it, but nonetheless I’m not the first one to let one slip. In regard to the tank, I’ll be getting a second job on top of my full time to pay for some incredible debt, so if you should feel so inclined to buy me a Miche Advanced crankset and Selle San Marco Concor I wouldn’t turn them down. I totally agree with you guys that this commuter style frame is trendy and will definitely be dated but there’s not much I can do about that except hope the Nishiki I get on the 5th is a good fit then I’ll finally have a lugged frame which will satisfy your want of a decent frame for me. Cheers, Luftmensh.

I’ll take that into consideration.

Technically the comment wasn’t racist. It was an implication of an insult to short people if there’s an assumption that height-challenged people (from Japan or anywhere) are worse off. Darwin has other ideas –size is of relative importance. NOTE: The Dutch are statistically the tallest people in the world (insert joke that isn’t technically racist here). I think the consensus is that you’re an asshole. Race-bating asshole? yes. Racist… maybe so. The jury is still out on that. Keep up with the jackass comments and we’ll have a better idea. Other people on this site are racist? Evidence please.

Your insincere false humility is contemptible as you simultaneously apologize and point fingers. The fact that your olive green, military colored bike is nothing much to talk about and the so-called bashing of it (on this string) are unrelated. Besides, the bulk of the comments –about the bike– are encouraging (as most of us try to be) and pretty positive. I think we are seeing a need for the sadist to play the victim here so any negative comments will appear retaliatory. …As we watch Luftie ride down the rails on a crazy train.

Now to the bike: It looks alright. Nothing special. Its set up looks right and that tells me that whoever you are; you spend time riding. Nice wheels. I can’t get past the color. Too WW2 for my taste.

Insincere false humility? Why do I even bother trying to say something honest about myself to you guys? You call me out, I admit I’m a jerk, then you tell me I’m lying? Wow jq, not sure what to say after that. I guess there’s no escaping the cynic archetype. I just don’t like being called racist when I’m nowhere near. Remember this?
http://www.myfixedgear.net/sha-knee-quah
I may be downright cynical and obnoxious but I’m a decent person at heart and don’t appreciate getting slammed for admitting I’m human. Is that sincere enough for you?

Ahh! let the healing begin! ? You get a pass on all previous asshole-comments (race-baiting or otherwise). because you found one racist post. Who, by the way, had the commonsense not to try and defend himself by finding a worse example and stopped posting entirely. You (on the other hand) would rather taint the whole site with a wide accusatory brush about “plenty of others.” “Im so sorry… but!” But what? But you don’t want to “point fingers”? Because a “decent/cynical person” doesn’t point fingers? “Not the first to let one slip?” Sounds pretty insincere to me. Actually it sounds like contradictory bullshit (like most of your back-pedaling posts of colliding antonyms). Amend the cynical behavior and we’ll see how sincere you are. Yeah, I’m calling you out.

thanks for the comments on my bikes gentlemen.
@cs doctor…always do the right thing. i’m thinking of doing the 5boros ride next year dressed as mars blackmon i gotta go to canal st. and get the nameplate made first.

luft is catching hell right know but it took guts to show his face, the dude cannot abide with any racism but at least he apologized for his stupidity some others should follow his example wsb

Luftie, I have read a lot of your comments and of others. You are a harsh critic of others and you are also hard on yourself. Have respect and love for yourself be kind and others will show you respect. i.e. mellow out. JQ writes well and I have respect for his opinions and agree with most of his observations. on the other hand you are good reading but caustic like sulphuric acid at times.

You made some excellent points CS. The main reason I updated was at other’ request, but I also enjoy the limelight. My social life is lacking to say the least, as I find myself living the life of a middle aged man, working 40 hours a week, coming straight home for a nice cold drink, enjoying a quiet weekend inside with only my immediate family, then work resumes. So you could say my life is limited to the constrains of my own imagination. My emotions, however flawed, passionate, inspiring or offensive come through my thoughts and words full force, and I cannot always control what comes out. And when it comes to the one thing I enjoy above all else, writing, there’s nothing humble about it for me.

Yes, CS, I got that. I was merely being polite, not oblivious.

K just wanted to be sure.

Thanks guys. I appreciate your comments and tolerance of my insanity.

Nice, Alan. Like I mentioned on Blue Aurora I have some ideas for the tank and even worked up a schematic of sorts but have no cash yet to support it. I’ll probably post it, you know CS, cuz I like to get a rise out of people and be the center of attention. What? I’m not disputing it, I’m agreeing with you

Right on Allen. Lets get past this. Who cares if hes a mean-spirited, illiterate race-baiting, bully. No reason to attack him. Especially now that hes on a full blown charm offensive. He did “apologize.” I “like” the new Luftie! As a fixed gear aficionado; a connoisseur, crankmeister par excellence there is no getting around it. He is one of us. Lufties ideas and opinions should be respected no matter how contradictory and poorly expressed. Who among us (from time to time) hasn’t humiliated themselves with angry quips that defy logic followed by misdirected, back-pedaling attacks? Absolutely, Allen. I for one extend my hand in friendship. You’ve got to love the one, the only Luftmensh. Forgive and forget; thats my motto. Whew! I feel so much better now that I’ve let it go. Thanks Allen! I needed that.

Now about the bike: looks like a nice ride but I don’t like the color. Too drab.

that’s what i like to see let’s all get along. now back to bike’s and movie quotes.

@ allan i’ve got purple socks too it’s the cplour of royalty, stay gold.

Fiction can be fun, jq. Glad to have your charming friendship again.

@ cs my mars outfit need the chain and the cazals. it is about the shoes so the 5′s or the 8′s

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50681249@N06/4844990412/in/photostream/

strip it and leave it raw!no muss,no fuss,no cost.If that’s only paint it comes off easy.A coat of wax and you’re golden.neutral color so any color is complementary.Let that aluminum shine !

@sup, THAT JERSEY IS FUCKING AWESOME. Sadly I don’t actually know enough about jordan’s to choose (I’m just familiar with spike and remember the commercials), but I say go with the right pair. If you’re going to do it go all out. Also, I noticed your macbook pro (or powerbook, I can’t see the ports well in the pic). If it breaks you should swing through stl and i’ll fix it!

it’s a pro and pleeeeeeeeeease don’t jinx me! right pair are the 8′s color is better but the left pair (v’s) are made of 3M reflective material so are perfect for the eventual bar crawl afterwards. it’s a conundrum.

That’s awesome.

Man o man, what a coooooool jersey Sup. Although coming from you that shouldn’t surprise me anymore. Re: the color of your ride, Luft, I have to agree that it would be much nicer if you do paint it. With that said, how much are you going to be using this after you get the Nishiki? Am I correct in thinking that you bought a track frame? Or is it a road bike? I was convinced of the former. I like the suggestion of cranberry. My personal favorite is orange, but I know you don’t like it much. The ultimate, IMHO, would be to paint it rather bright and cheery (especially for PDX where the winters are gray gray gray – did I ever tell you I went to school in Portland?) and then get a chrome flat crowned fork. The fork is the thing that just doesn’t do it for me. Anyway, any color change would be for the better. BTW – how many inches did you end up shaving from the bars?
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Oh and for what its worth, if you read jq’s statement trying to be as objective as possible, I think you will find that he’s not attacking you at all and rather saying that while he thinks blah blah blah about you, he finds you knowledgeable about our hobbies and respects your opinions. He also is saying that he likes how much you have tried to be less abrasive. I would take it positively. Be well.

appreciate the offer, fab, but i need total black ones. not sure what to say about jq. it all sounds sarcastic, and the word “illiterate” stings when you’re a writer, even though it makes no sense.

Luftie, I’ve been thinking about your bike for a while now. The sloping toptube is finally starting to grow on me. It looks comfy as hell. Like a bunch of the other kids here though, that army green is a bit off-putting. Wanna know what I would do? Probably not, but I’ll tell ya anyway. Powdercoat the frame sky blue, to encourage the eye to look at the perimeter. Two inches of each end of the bar, but keep the black tape, that’s wicked. Lower profile saddle, and to finish, a set of fyxation session 700 whitewalls. No? Fair enough. Just tryna help.

aarcadian, I suspect a name change went with your new logo picture. I like the dancing puffer or what ever bird it is, very nice. Luftie, divorce the Tank before it is too late and switch rides. It will sell as Hemingway’s ride. While you are at it switch names and drop the fried eggs and we will guess who you are by the tone of your comments and your ride. forget the Zoloft and go with Bass Ale for what ails you.

UPDATE: The charm offensive seems to be working but more importantly his writing has shown marked improvement. Either he is slowing down to catch mistakes or he has asked his boyfriend to proofread his prose before posting. It doesn’t matter which –We can now understand and follow his syntax. Im not so sure he was a cunt. I don’t think thats a fair comment. I was more offended by his sloppy writing. I hope that wouldn’t make him a sloppy cunt. Name-calling like that is just mean and uncalled for. I think it was a series of misunderstandings. A common problem when the words and sentences (of a post) aren’t chosen and assembled carefully. I am often guilty of that myself but at least I try. Luftie is trying too. Give this man a 10!

The Bike:
It looks like I’m not alone in thinking that the olive drab color of this bike is too military. You could wear an army jacket, jack boots from the Army/Navy and an army helmet to complete the look. Otherwise its a great ride!

Yes, I stand corrected. I was attempting to be generous and I did (in fact) overstate. His intention was clear; even within the fog of his sloppy rhetoric. I suppose I was attempting to compensate for the “cunt” remark. I feel bad for him even if he deserves much of the reprisal. Would that make him a sad, sloppy cunt? I think thats too much. Still, he would be a former, sad, sloppy cunt. He has changed. I think of him more as a pathetic jackass that has changed his ways. Change is good. Love the Lufty.

Hey Luftie is ok. He’s learnt a lot in a short while. He will turn out some fantastic bikes in the future. He, like me is merely handicapped by lack of finances to help realize his true desires in bike building.

Luftie has changed and the Charm is not offensive merely kind and considerate. My speech at home is not always charming and too often offensive when provoked ( the wife can attest to that ). However when at the keyboard there is time to taste the words before spitting them out and offending those I care about. I should have a time delay when speaking. With that in mind, some of the body parts mentioned here are bad words where I come from and do in fact make me CRINGE. the comments stay around for ever and reflect on our style and may be read by dear old MOM or client, brother or sister or even Pope Benedict with the tall hat. Can we get the point across more tastefully ? Thanks DICK

I’m not advocating a person never being able to change or not accepting a change. I just think you should be responsible for what you say to other people. If you’re going to get on a forum that’s built for commenting on bikes and cycling in general and you start taking digs at the actual people posting you shouldn’t expect a rosy reception. I know luftmensh knows this and has changed and I think that’s great, I just don’t think anyone should pretend like he’s never said anything bad to someone else or that what was said was a misinterpretation. That’s all.

Absolutely. I agree with all of the above. We live and die by our reputations. His is on the mend and thats a good thing. Nasty labels (like cunt, douchebag, sloppy douchebag, jackass, dickwad, scumbag etc.) may serve a purpose but lets not belabor the point. They linger in the mind and I think hes served his time. His social climbing skills are a little transparent but its something. As you say; kind and considerate. Un-provocative might be more accurate. Its a start.

Okay guys—think of a nickname that plays off of aluminum. All I could think of was Aluminator but that sounds like a mix between a laser light show and a dildo.

Sloman the peace maker? hey wait we were already doing that.

And so Luftmensh now you have five fathers, and one Dutch Uncle watching over you, and six or seven brothers and sisters. Does the Nishiki have a sloping top tube.? Maybe you could turn it into something like Das Balloon. Good luck .

If you want some ideas for Japanese keirin frames, I have been obsessively looking around and actually found some lovely things that I am not going to use as I have my hands happily full. There is also a store right near me (not Velo) but Chari & Co. probably the most famous niche NJS/keirin store on the east coast by some opinions. I’ve seen many of their things at 30% of prices I see on the internet. SO let me know if you need a hand.
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http://www.chariandconyc.com/frames.aspx

4 weeks and a Name Change ? I tried to submit today but the page said No Action after several minutes of digesting the photos. I still thing JQnyc owns this site. or is it J. T .

I think he’s Greek.