TUCKED // - Everybody can tuck tires. Not everybody can tuck brakes…. This was a particularly challenging location. There’s many solutions and a range of concepts I worked through from a concentric brake mount to a proprietary post mount system. I arrived at using the tried and true ISO mount because it’s wildly inexpensive, post mount adapters are readily available for 160, 180 and 203mm rotors and it does NOT rely on frame alignment to be accurate (I’m looking at you flat mount…). So for the initial release and to keep parts expense to a minimum, the brake mount will be ISO until I can justify the expense of either a proprietary system or a dedicated cast or forged post mount at a later date. - But the over all goal was to tuck the brake caliper insider the rear triangle and separate the brake from the seat stay in a tight and tidy package in an easy to fabricate and cost effective solution. I think I can call this one “mission accomplished”. What do YOUS think? - #steelisreal #steelfullsuspension #isoaintdead

Snakedriver V4.2 // - Progress! Finished up prototype V4.2 finally on Friday. Lots of subtle updates I’ll write about in a long form blog post on the 44HQ Blog. I may also do a build check reel too to go over a bunch of the updates. Now to disassemble it, get it packed up and off for some Cerakote. - #steelisreal #steelfullsuspension

SNAKEDRIVER V4.2 // - Well, that’s a wrap. This ones ready for COBRA BLACK Cerakote. Frame as pictured minus the dummy shock with all hardware: 7.9lbs. 3D printed parts for this round are over designed so I’ll be shaving weight for the production prints where I can and I’m fairly confident I can get the frame down to high 6 or sub-7 lbs. but there she is: SHRED READY. - Big thanks to all my suppliers and production partners on this one including @ram3dprinting @thomashosford @paragonmachine @firsthand.bike @cobraframebuilding @prosisemetalworks and @sendcutsend - #madetoshred #steelisreal

ROUTED // - A follower was asking about cable routing earlier. I used to route everything under the top tube and down the undersides of the seatstays but with the disappearance of external droppers I redesigned how I route all the cables to go down the top of the DT and then under the chainstays. Over time I had noticed when bikes would come in for refreshes, the undersides of the top tubes were a mess. Lots of rust and the powder was worn and abraded. Being that a tube is round, wet muck would settle between the underside of the tube and cables and with a lot of handling a bike, it would see a ton of wear in that location. Hence the move to put things in the DT and keep everything tidy in one straight line. - Here’s the underside of the swingarm. Asymmetric routing with that lead guide offset for a smooth transition. I do this on all my bikes including the Marauder. And wouldn’t you know it’s cut down on wear by a metric mile? How about that! - #steelisreal #steelfullsuspension

Clearance Check // - Checking that the ISO mount position and brake calipers clear. The M9220 and M9120 calipers clear by a long shot in their worst case scenario positions. Time to wrap up welding the lower shock mount. - #steelfullsuspension #steelisreal

Snakedriver V4.2 // - Pulled the swing arm and broke the tacks in the seat stays and reoriented the ISO mount a bit more forward. Results? Much better. My eye is satisfied. Now to wrap up welding and brazing and get this one out the door to Cerakote in COBRA BLACK. This builds color scheme? “DEATH MOBILE”. - It’s also Tuesday and that means it’s Turntable Tuesday. Three 7” that are rippers from the 80’s: BUM KON, Lost Cause and the Falling Idols top the chart. Check my story for links to the albums on YouTube.. SHORT. FAST. LOUD. - #deathmobile #steelfullsuspension #snakedriver