I was able to build up one of the new Polyvalent framesets from Velo-Orange over the holiday. I won’t be able to take the bike for a long ride until the weekend (crossing fingers) but I have some observations from the build and short errand-running rides that might be useful for those considering the frameset.

My goal for the build was a spirited porteur–something that felt a lot like a road bike and could carry a large load on the front rack.  Parts selection was widely guided by what I had sitting in bins in the shop. The build went smoothly and I didn’t encounter any frame quirks. The welds are very nice and the flat black black frame color grew on me.

As luck would have it, a day after the bicycle was completed I received a call from my wife telling me she was at the post office picking up an unexpectedly large package. So the Polyvalent was able to do a little porteur duty immediately.

While very large, the box above wasn’t extremely heavy, and wind was much more of a concern on the ride home than the weight. When installing the VO porteur rack I made one simple change from the rack installation shown on their blog that improves the rack performance. If you click on the link you’ll see that mounting the porteur rack level on the PV moves the rack away from the headtube, creating a long lever between the rack and the single mounting point at the fork crown. I sacrificed a level rack and mounted the rack as far back as to shorten the rack strut/lever.

I’ve started to use the Polyvalent for sans toddler grocery runs. I usually treat these rides as a form of exercise, ride fairly quickly, and haven’t once felt the bicycle was holding me back at all. Although my schedule rarely allows it, I do like to ride with the local roadie club once in a while. I stick with the 17-18 mph group, and the rides are generally from 30 to 60 miles. I intended these rides to be the Polyvalent’s second use, and my first few miles have done nothing to make me think it won’t serve this purpose well.

The obligatory component list follows. For the interested the bicycle as pictured would cost $2175. This price includes assembly and two wheelbuilds. $2025 unassembled (wheels built, headset and bottom bracket installed). Framesets are $400. Call or e-mail to order.

• Nexus 8spd rear hub
• Alfine trigger shifter (akward and hideous–I spoke with Jtek yesterday and they should have their Alfine/Nexus barend shifters back in production in a month or two)
• Sugino XD700 compact double cranks used with single ring and Sugino chainguard
• VO bottom bracket, headset, seatpost, porteur rack, 650B fenders, and Diagonale rims
• Nitto Technomic Deluxe stem and Promenade bars
• Dia-Compe Giudonnet Levers with Tektro CR720 brakes
• Shimano DH-3N72 dynohub
• Busch & Muller Lumotec IQ Cyo Chrome Senso headlight and Planet Bike Superflash tailight
• Gran Bois Hetre tires
• Brooks B17 Champion Special
• MKS Sylvan Touring pedals
• Sunlite double legged kickstand