There I Was, Just Thinking When.....

Willie Honeman's Brennan track bike.

Late last Summer I posted the idea for a single speed gravel bike based on 1930's track bike geometry. I noted that much of what has become "gravel bike geometry" seemed to be uncannily similar to those old single speeds. Then I learned that those old track racers actually rode these bikes, in many instances across country, and very likely on gravel roads. 

Ever since I converted the Twin Six Standard Rando in 2022 to a geared set up, I have missed that bike as a single speed. I dunno..... There was just something about that bike. And I was toying with having a custom made single speed with ideas borrowed from a 1930's Brennan track bike with modernized appointments. But that fell through and well..... Money. Time. Space. 

Excuses.

So, that all got in the way and yet the idea was sitting there, simmering, and one day not long ago, something got to cooking again. 

 

The "Honemann Flyer" as proposed by King Fabrications

It took Erik Mathy to stoke the fires again. He would, of course, that's the kind of guy he is. So, this went from "falling through" to right on the front burner on high. Things look to be moving along again, and I have a feeling it all has to do with a story that just came out in "Mountain Flyer" about King Fabrications. Up until that published I think Erik's mind was elsewhere and well, communications had grown cold. Anyway, you may be wondering why Erik Mathy is in this story anyway. That part may be revealed later on. Stay tuned.....

Paragon single speed through-axle drop outs. (Image courtesy of PMW)

See, this whole project has layers. There is the bicycle, of course, and that much I can talk about here. However; there is a bunch of this that is all up in the air yet and plans are......tenuous? Yeah, that's the word now.

I made mention here not long ago that events were probably not going to happen for me due to my job, but part of this project has to do with an event. I could"push a few buttons" and I am willing to bet that it would put into motion some things that would possibly make that event thing a real possibility rather than a pipe dream. But other stuff has to happen as well......

As of right now, all I know is that the ideas for this Honemann Flyer (working name- this could also change) is being developed rather quickly and is looking like it may be a reality. So, here's what I can say now....

• Single speed, through-axle, using my current Paul Components WORD Disc hub as a wheel.
• Front wheel ideally would be built to match as current one is a mis-matched rim/hub combo. 
• Steel, tig-welded frame with flat mount disc brake standard, no provisions for derailleurs. 
• Drop bar design based upon the Honemann track bike featured on these pages built by Brennan. 
• Carbon fork.(Brand yet to be determined) 
• Finished raw with clear coat or...? Some ideas being bandied about here yet. King Fab does a cool crackle finish which might be used here as well. 

And the finer details would be filled in later. I would opt for silver ano stuff but yeah.... Whatever. We'll see. This is what happens when I start thinking about an idea. 

Stay tuned....