A custom bicycle built in the style of road bicycles from the “neo-classical” period, as I define it (1984-2008).
Background
The construction of this Rogue Rabbit was begun in 2003 for the purpose of honing my silver-brazing skills. Started as a practice frame that got as far as a partial main triangle (seat, down, and head tubes) with braze-ons, it languished in that state until 2023, when I refitted a longer head tube and then completed the frame as a fitting birthday gift for my son, Asher.
This is the only frame I have brazed together with outside assistance since frame #1 (2002): my brother bronze-brazed Shimano SF-22 dropouts to a set of Columbus SP chain stays some time during 2016, to try his hand at bronze-brazing. The brazing was exceptionally well-done, so I picked them out of my “assemblies” bin, finishing them to my satisfaction for this Rogue Rabbit.
Description
A well-proportioned diamond frame that offers a little bit more stand-over clearance than a typical “square” frame with equivalent reach. The 50.9cm (center-to-center) frame is sized for 700c x 25mm-32mm wheels (maximum) to give about 76.2cm (30.0”) of stand-over, depending on the tires used (here, Grand Bois Cyprés, which measure 32mm on the equipped Mavic CXP-33 rims). The 55cm top tube is sized to give good range of fitment (with appropriate stem) for Asher as he grows, whose height is more in his torso than his legs.
This bicycle is sized and built specifically for Asher, around a unique, handmade, steel frame and fork: a bicycle built for everyday road and rail-trail riding fun. The design is similar to my frame #4 (2006), with some changes: shorter top tube; shorter down tube; LC23/CX fork crown-based fork; Columbus fork ends; Shimano SF-22 dropouts; and, plastic dérailleur cable guides screwed to the bottom of the bottom bracket shell. There’s nothing fancy here: just beauty, high-quality, and reliable utility in a fun-to-ride package.
Designed for everyday fun, the combination of chain stay length, 73° seat and head tube angles, and fork offset provide an all-day, comfortable ride that still conveys a sense of confidence when cornering or maneuvering around obstacles at any reasonable speed.
Frame Details
Built for long service life, this frame uses standard-size, Columbus SP main tubes and stays, with Tange Prestige fork blades. Equipped with high-quality Long Shen (Taiwan) investment-cast lugs and bottom bracket shell, now rare Shimano (Japan) SF-22 drop-forged vertical dropouts, complementary Columbus (Italy) fork ends, and a hollow, investment-cast stainless steel Long Shen fork crown.
Braze-ons include: three sets of reinforced water bottle braze-ons (front of seat tube, top of down tube, and bottom of down tube); braze-on stainless steel front dérailleur hanger; stainless steel down tube shift lever bosses; stainless steel chain hanger; stainless steel rear dérailleur cable stop; and, a pair of split, top tube rear brake cable stops.
This frame was built for longevity: all lugs were hand-shaped and -fitted; the frame was assembled one tube at a time to minimize residual stress from the heating/cooling cycle and to minimize the otherwise consequent need for cold-setting. With the exception of the seat stay caps, dropouts, and fork ends, the frame was low-temperature, silver-brazed to also minimize heating-cooling cycle-induced residual stresses and to allow for long-term repairability in case of mishaps. The seat stay caps, drop outs, and fork ends are attached using nickel-bronze brazing filler for added strength.
As with every Domínguez frame, the frame and fork were immersed in a heated zinc-phosphate rust inhibitor prior to painting to ensure longevity of the frame.
Finished in-house using Ruby Red Candy polyurethane (wet) paint, the frame received a primer coat to ensure the finish coat adheres well; three coats of metallic base coat provide the sparkle effect; five coats of color coat provide the rich color; and, a two-part, clear-coat provide depth and a highly protective finish over the paint and dry transfers. Fork and bottom bracket shell cutouts were filled with contrasting white paint (under the clear-coat) as a detailing touch.
Glamour shots of the frame taken before fitting with its final component mix:
Components
This bicycle is equipped with a well-vetted mix of mid- to high-end components primarily from SRAM and Shimano that balance cost, durability, quality, and longevity to provide the utmost in long-term value.
The durable and light-weight wheels were hand-built by Paul Wyganowski using Shimano Dura-Ace front and rear quick-release hubs (HB-7800 and FH-7850, respectively) laced to silver Mavic CXP-33 rims using DT Swiss 14-gauge stainless steel spokes (laced 3-cross pattern). The wheels are fitted with supple, high-quality Grand Bois Cyprés 700c x 30mm (32mm actual) clincher tires and butyl rubber inner tubes with brass presta valves.
The gear ratios provide 2.8 to 9.0 meters development (35.3 to 112.5 gear inches), which is suitable for rolling hills and some challenging climbs; for anyone moderately fit or wanting to become moderately fit. Are you reading this, Asher? Go ride your bike!
The 2×10 drivetrain is composed of an SRAM Apex (PG-1050) 10-cog cassette (11-26-tooth) connected by a Wipperman Connex (10S0) chain to the Shimano 34/50-tooth chainrings fitted to the 175mm Shimano R700 crankset, providing quick, dependable shifting and power transmission. The outboard sealed-bearing Shimano bottom bracket bearing assembly is economical, super-durable, and light-weight.
Shifting is accomplished from the SRAM Rival Double-Tap brake-shift lever controls which opperate a braze-on SRAM Rival front dérailleur, a short-cage SRAM Rival rear dérailleur, and a set of Velo-Orange Grand Cru dual-pivot brakes. The brake levers are very comfortable for most hand sizes; the brake levers give excellent brake feel and modulation; the stopping power of the brakes is exceptional.
A Ritchey WCS seatpost supports the very comfortable Brooks C17 rubber saddle. Profile Design synthetic cork tape wraps the handlebars and nicely cushions the hands. Handlebars are light-weight and durable Ritchey Pro (44cm width x 31.8mm clamping diameter) attached to a 50mm Velo-Orange stem. Cane Creek in-line brake levers provide an additional braking position from the handlebar tops. The headset is the reliable and durable Cane Creek Model 40 for 1” threadless steerer tubes.
Shimano and SRAM low-friction brake and dérailleur cable housings (respectively), Shimano and SRAM brake and dérailleur cables (respectively), and two sets of Minoura aluminum alloy water bottle cages finish everything off. The third set of water bottle bosses is unused.
The latest (2026) fitment:
| Part | Description |
|---|---|
| Bottom bracket | Shimano (BB-6600) - Fe alloy, grey, BSA, external bearing |
| Brake/shift levers | SRAM Rival - Al alloy, silver, Double-Tap, 10-speed |
| Brakeset | Velo-Orange Grand Cru - Al alloy, silver, 47-59mm, dual-pivot, standard reach |
| Cassette | SRAM Apex (PG-1050) - Fe alloy, silver, 11-26t, 10-cog |
| Chain | Wipperman Connex (10S0) - Fe alloy, silver, 3/32" |
| Crankset | Shimano (FC-R700) - Al alloy, silver, 175mm, 34/50t |
| Pedals | Shimano (PD-M520) - Al alloy, silver, SPD |
| Dérailleur – front | SRAM Rival - Al/Fe, black, braze-on |
| Dérailleur – rear | SRAM Rival - Al alloy, black, short cage |
| Handlebar ends | Velox - rubber, black |
| Handlebar tape | Profile Design - synthetic cork, black |
| Handlebars | Ritchey Pro - Al alloy, black, 42cm x 31.8mm |
| Headset | Cane Creek Model 40 - Al alloy, black, 1", threadless |
| Saddle | Brooks C17 - Al alloy/rubber/canvas, black |
| Seatpost | Ritchey WCS - Al alloy, black, 27.2mm |
| Stem | Velo-Orange - Al alloy, black, 50mm x 31.8mm |
| Inner tube | Nashbar - butyl/brass, chrome, 40mm Presta (28-32mm) |
| Tires | Grand Bois Cyprés - rubber/nylon, black/gum, 700c x 30mm (32mm) |
| Hub – front | Shimano Dura-Ace (HB-7800) - Al alloy, light grey, 36-hole, 100mm |
| Hub – rear | Shimano Dura-Ace (FH-7850) - Al/Ti alloy, light grey, 36-hole, 130mm |
| Rims | Mavic CXP-33 - Al alloy, silver, 700c x 20mm |
| Spokes | DT Swiss Champion - SS, silver, 14 gauge |
| Water bottle cage | Minoura - Al alloy, silver (2x) |
Bait-and-Switch
This Rogue Rabbit Roundabout was an early birthday surprise for Asher, but he was completely unaware that it was in the works.
Asher had been riding my old (ca. 1988) Stan Johnson fixed-gear, now outfitted as a single-speed with platform pedals. He enjoyed riding it, but the stem was too long and the handlebars too wide for him. Plus, there was a lot of slippage on the pedals with his sneakers, which led to sore arches after every ride. I had different stem and handlebars in my used parts stash, as well as some SPD pedals that would solve the pedal problem. But, he had no suitable shoes. Some cycling shoes were ordered: he was told the shoes were an early birthday present from his mother.
When the shoes arrived (not a surprise), I gave them to Asher to try out for fit. They fit well and he liked them a lot. Then, I said I would “swap out the handlebars and saddle and pedals”, but actually swapped out the whole bike with this Rogue Rabbit Roundabout. I didn’t take a photo of his surprise and delight when he saw it, otherwise it would be posted here to his eternal mortification.
We went for a shake-down ride (about 19 miles) with his brother so Asher could get used to the pedals and shifting. He very quickly learned how to clip in and out, and mostly got the hang of shifting the rear dérailler, too, on the first try. He especially likes that the shifters are called “Double-Tap”, as it appeals to his FPS gamer’s soul. Asher’s “gamer’s” back was too curved and inflexible for the 100mm stem, so we rode to the workshop first, where I swapped out the stem for a 70mm stem; it fit him much better, but still not perfectly. Since then, the stem and handlebars have been swapped out for a much better fit.
His older brother calls this bicycle the “Rouge Rabbit”.
Postscript
Asher has been enjoying riding his bicycle for several years now, often with his brother and me. Stem length and saddle position have changed a little during that time to adjust to his growth (5′-10″/177cm) and fitness level. But, I think he still likes it.
