G'day Tim,
I'm currently on the hunt for a new touring frame (700c/29") with a few requirements that may be problematic.
1. Rohloff drop-outs (Not really a problem as i know you can do that)
2. Tyre clearance for 29er MTB tyres (2.1")
3. Disc tabs
Basically I'm planing on doing the Tasmanian Trail on it (rear racks not BOB). As far as I have read it's more or less fire trail type trails which could probably be handled with 38mm touring tyres but I have some other future plans and wouldn't mind the clearance for larger tyres.
Would you consider creating such a bike or do you have any recommendations.
If so, what would the price roughly be (frame only, no fork, 1 1/8 head tube) and could it be done for by December?
Thanks
Ty

That was the first correspondence I had with Tim from Velosmith. His reply?
Thanks for you enquiry. All the requirements you mention are not a problem.

From that moment on it was a series of simple questions and transactions before my frame arrived in the mail. Two hours later I had it built with my bits and pieces and was test riding the new creation.

So how did it go? Well, if you’ve read the story below you will have noticed that I didn’t mention the bike once. That’s the way it should be, it just worked.

Tim’s selection of tubing and expert building skills ensured the frame handled perfectly and stayed in one piece. The combination of Reba forks (with lockout), Rohloff hub (sliding dropouts), Avid brakes, Tubus racks and Ortlieb panniers left me with my perfect off road touring machine.

I’d really like to write more but there isn’t a whole lot more to say, so enjoy the pictures and give Tim a yell when you want something a little different.

The Build:
Frame: Custom (as described above)
Drivetrain: Rohloff hub (external gearbox)
Forks: Rockshox Raba SL
Cranks: Middleburn
Pedals: Crank Brothers, Egg-Beater S
Wheels: Velocity VXC, DT Swiss spokes, Velocity front hub
Brakes: Avid BB7
Tyres: Maxxis Crossmark
Headset: Chris King
Bars: Salsa Pro-moto 17 degree sweep
Grips: JetBlack foam (Get them!!)
Stem: Salsa Pro Scandium SUL
Bar ends: Profile Stubbies
Seat Post: Thomson
Saddle: SDG BelAir
Cages: Chris King SS
Rack: Tubus
Panniers: Ortlieb
Bar bag: Topeak

And some pics from my visit to the home of Velosmith, just in case you missed them in the story. Enjoy.

EDIT: News just in - the bike rides just as good naked!

Removed the racks and other paraphernalia and took the her for a ride at Eagle Hill MTB park. Perfect!

The best way for me to describe the ride was that it felt just like my Ventana singlespeed, but with a Rohloff attached. I used to think that the Rohloff caused some of the handling problems I had had with it attatched to other bikes, but it seems as though it must have been the frames (Surly Karate Monkey and Slingshot Farmboy). Had a ball on this thing today and am just overwhelmed at how the bike can handle anything!