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B13: Velo Orange goes black! Launches two new framesets, and shows off one weird handlebar

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Velo Orange Black Parts Kit

Velo Orange, makers of notoriously shiny bits for your bicycle, have gone to black.  That’s right, coming soon, you can obtain their seatpost, brakes, and even a headset in a nice black finish.  While this photo doesn’t do them much justice, the parts look really, really good in person.  Beyond the new color, they were also showing off two new framesets.  The first is the Camargue, which is designed around a 2.1 tire with space for fenders.  It’s aimed at the adventure touring set.  The other is a more streamlined rando style ride dubbed the PassHunter.  It’s set up to clear a 32mm tire with fenders and is good for credit card touring and randonneur riding.

Head past the break for images, plus details on their new, yet to be named wild handle bar, plus more!

Velo Orange Camargue Frameset

The Camargue frame is set up with rack and fender mounts both front and rear.  It can accommodate downtube shifters, uses a 1 1/8th steerer, and is made from tig welded double butted cro-moly tubes.

The larger 29″ wheels are used on the 62, 59, and 56cm frames, while the 26″ wheels are in place on the 53, 50, and 47cm frames. The geometry is not suspension corrected.  No word on price yet, but my guess is it won’t be too far off from the $500 price the VO Campeur runs.

Velo Orange Passhunter

As for the PassHunter, it puts a nice wide 700c 32mm tire under you for comfortable road riding, commuting, and even light touring.  And while intended for 32’s with fenders, a 35mm tire was mounted up sans fenders for the show, making me want to hit a gravel road on this thing.  The integrated seat clamp is a classy touch.  The frame, like all the rest of the VO line, is good old reliable double butted cro-moly Again, no word on price.

Velo Orange Passhungter Logo
In house designed and printed logo

Velo Orange yet to be named handlebar 2

Velo Orange yet unnamed handlebars

These yet to be named handlebars were being displayed in the VO booth as well.  They are quite the eye catcher.  The main section of the bar is a 23.8mm, while the “aero bars” section are a 22.2 diameter.

Velo Orange Rinko Headset

Also being shown off was this unique Rinko headset.  Rinko is a style of touring via bicycle and train in Japan.  When the bike has its wheels and front fork removed, it becomes small enough to fit on the train as regular baggage, thus not incurring an extra fee.  That is where the Rinko headset comes into play.  It is designed to allow the rider to easily remove the front fork without tools.  Pretty neat!

Velo Orange Grand Cru Handlebar Bag Front

And last but not least is this lovely handmade Grand Cru handlebar bag.  It is made of canvas and leather with brass hardware.  And, it’s sewn up in a small shop in Baltimore.

 

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Max
Max
10 years ago

Those frames have potential, but those bars…holy hell. Kill them with fire!

chris
chris
10 years ago

second comment

chris
chris
10 years ago

nooo

Jim
Jim
10 years ago

Love the Pass Hunter!

ah
ah
10 years ago

How does that headset help you take the forks out?

Champs
Champs
10 years ago

I dunno, those handlebars aren’t much different than the Jones H-bar.

On the other hand, it might be nice in the city to have an upright position for slow riding instead of drops for going fast (and banging my kneecap). But then with levers on the sweep, you’re two steps away from the brake in the fast position, and with levers on the crossbar, there’s no brake in the slow position. Dilemmas, for sure.

Mitch
Mitch
10 years ago

Hunqapillar copy! Sweet Jesus I’m in love!

David Lewis
David Lewis
10 years ago

Velo Orange doesn’t make anything. Check their blog, and you’ll see they open shipping containers from Asia and distribute their contents and that’s the long and short of it. Filling out an order form or sending CAD drawings to Asia is not the same thing as making something, even if they visit the factory occasionally.

That being said, many of the products with their logo are fairly unique in the U.S. and the product line they sell has a lot of practical things that I use, for example the fender stay mounts for eyeletless frames, which I can’t get from anyone else.

Stoker
Stoker
10 years ago

@David could you say pretty much the same thing about all bike companies? As far as I know all major companies outsource their frame building to Taiwan. Curious on your thoughts about when a company can say they “make” something. When do they cross that line?

Anyhoo, love the VO stuff. Handlebars are not pretty though.

Jared
Jared
10 years ago

Stoker, you can say the same thing about many bike companies. However, VO is like a direct, unabashed and blatant ripoff of Rivendell.

I say this having bought a seat post once from VO. But yeah, they don’t even try to differentiate themselves. It’s basically “cheaper Rivendell”, and the cheapness comes from what David alluded to.

Is it a bad thing? No, I guess it was expected. I’m sure they make fine products. But Grant at Rivendell is extra careful about where and why he sells certain products, and this can make them cost more, but in this day and age it is very admirable.

Chris L
Chris L
10 years ago

I think you have the bar numbers reversed and the main section is 22.2 mm (MTB) and the “horns” are 23.8 mm (road). I think.

Mr.Loren
Mr.Loren
6 years ago

I know it’s 4 years later, but I can still lust for the Camargue(sp?) it’s like having an old Farah Fawcet poster hanging around.

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