Big Jim's Frame

Here are a couple of photos from the early stages of Jim's frame.  At 61cm its one of the larger frames that I have built.  Jim is a pretty fair-sized guy at 6'4 and 225 lbs. so I am putting a little meat on this frame while at the same time trying to keep it light.  This frame has a mix of tubes, from True Temper OX Platinum on the main triangle to Columbus Life chain stays. I love the beefy look of these stays and I have been wanting to use them on a frame for a while now and this was the perfect opportunity.  The down tube is a multi-shaped 8/5/8 double-butted tube from Nova called Pear to Penta.  It reminds me of the S3 bi-oval tube with a little more meat on it and without the rider weight limit.  I love the way it looks and will probably use it some more in the near future.  It would make a sweet down tube on a custom 29er.  We are going with a 1 1/8" steel fork on this frame so this thing is gonna scream muscle on the road and should hold a line like its on rails.  Jim is headed to the Tour of the Rockies this summer so this frame will get it proper style which is the way I hope all my frames get it.  Everything is all tacked up and I will be brazing it up tomorrow.  Check back for the finished product.