New Albion Drake Frame Is Ready For Action

We started posting photos of the prototype Drake early last year, because we loved how it turned out.
However we took our sweet time test riding it and we only received our first production run this month.

So let's take some time explaining what you can do with a Drake.
We call it a 650b (27.5") wheel adventure tourer.
We designed it with a wheel base length between a cyclo-cross bike and a fully loaded touring rig, to offer the stability desired when you're 'packing, but without taking away too much spirit when you want to just rip around gravel roads and dirt trails.

It will fit 42mm Soma Cazadero or WTB Resolute tires with fenders or 2.0" mountain knobbies without fenders. You can also put on WTB Byways or Panaracer PariMotos for velvety road cruising.
Can you or should you run 700c tires? Depends on what you want to achieve. We gave it 10mm more BB height than your average road bike, because we wanted to make it more dirt-capable, so don't expect it carve downhill corners like our Homebrew road frame.

While you can't ride this as fast over gnarly trails as a bike packing hardtail, its front triangle will fit a larger frame bag than a hardtail.

Other features:

• Beefy cast dropouts that allow for separate rack and fender mounting. And though not Rohloff-specif, it is friendly to Rohloff set ups.
• Chainstay-located IS disc tabs doesn't interfere with most rear racks.
• PF30 Bottom Bracket offers a bottom bracket option with larger cartridge bearings and stiffer platform. If you choose to run geared hubs or single speed, you can get an eccentric bottom bracket, which allows you to adjust chain tension.
• Tange Champion CrMo tubing throughout
• Front mini rack mounts and pannier rack mount on optional matching fork
• Rear mini rack mount and pannier rack mount
• S-Bend chainstays
• Downtube shifter compatibility
• Optional lugged crown disc fork

Custom Privateer by Pedal Revolution in SF

Just spotted this on the Pedal Revolution blog.

"Pedal Revolution built up this customized New Albion Privateer into a very special touring bike that is responsible for the safe transport of not one, but two riders. Our customer wanted a bike that she could use for daily riding and long distance touring that would be able to transport her dog Frances. After getting feedback on what she wanted the bike to do and some of the particulars like custom paint, we made some recommendations on rack set-ups and component choices. The Privateer frame was a logical choice for its comfortable road geometry and clearance for wide tires/fenders and rack mounts. She wanted the bike to handle like a road bike but accommodate a more upright position and be suitable for bike camping and touring. Lastly, we needed to find a way to carry Frances and her doggy carrier on the front of the bike. Attempts were made with Frances on a rear rack but being a dog, she yearned to feel the wind in her whiskers and see the road ahead."

Gravel Bike reviews the New Albion Privateer

Check out the Gravel Bike review of the New Albion Privateer!

www.gravelbike.com

"New Albion Cycles has successfully delivered an affordable, versatile frame with their Privateer model. With features found on frames costing much more, it’s an outstanding bargain that should deliver many years of service to recreational and utility riders alike."

Privateer in Gravel Touring Mode

Continuing with our new tire experiment, we got a set of 700c Soma Cazadero tires mounted up on a Privateer set up for some off road touring.

This looks right.

Homebrew Gravel Style

Took our 650B'ed Homebrew on a little gravel adventure after closing.

 The Cazadero tires ride great. Not much more I can say. Super fun!

Privateer Build for Gravelbike.com

I just had to take some pictures of this bike before sending it off. The Privateer is such a versatile bike, so it can be built up many different way for different conditions and riding styles. This one is set up for unpaved roads, long distance rides and some light trail riding.

We used all our favorite parts on this build. Plenty of gears, friction shifters, chubby tires, and a semi upright hood position make this build ideal for all day rides off the beaten track.

The Soma Classic Curve fork matches the frames geometry perfectly, and looks great with the silver panels and components. The traditional fork blade bends make this especially compliant ride.

Tons of clearance, even with 38c tires.

The Sun XCD rear derailleur allows you to shift a wide range cassette paired with the Sugino XD triple cranks.

Keep an eye on www.gravelbike.com for the upcoming review.