In the fall of 2015, I embarked on a project to build myself a fixed gear bicycle using a set of the famous 3Rensho Modeulo lugs.  The build is chronicled in this Bikeforums thread, where I kept a photo diary of the process.  At the time, I didn’t know this would be the last frame I’d build for several years.  I’ve been riding and loving this bike for years since then, but I never got around to photographing and writing about the finished product.  This is my favorite bike, and I finally have some great photos of it.  Read on to learn about the inspiration for the frame, the copper plating, and the build.

The photo above is what the frame looked like when it came back from the plater.  I had it copper plated, with the instruction that it not be polished.  The finish is straight out of the plating tank, and had a rose gold appearance when it was brand new.  Over the years, it’s darkened to the color of a vintage penny, hence the name “Lucky Penny”. The frame was built using Columbus SP tubing for the main triangle, with Columbus tandem chain stays and seat stays for stiffness.  The wishbone-style seat stay was built from a kit provided by Nova Cycles, and the rear dropouts were Russian copies of Zeus.  I added extra reinforcement around the seat cluster lug where the wishbone mono stay connects to the seat tube.

The frame is built up with some fun bits and pieces: a Campagnolo Pista crankset and matching ring, Campy seat post, 3TTT adjustable stem, Paul Components brake lever, and Shimano 600 Arabesque-series front brake.  The wheels are Velocity deep-vees to Formula hubs and the chain is a Shimano Oval.  Much of this build came from my previous personal fixed-gear, an “Alien” frame that this replaced.

This bike has been my preferred daily rider, commuter, and all-around fun bike for many years now.  It fits perfectly (as any custom bike should!), climbs like a beast thanks to the stiff Columbus tubing, and handles like the Japanese NJS track bikes it was based on.  I hope to resume frame building one day, but until then, Lucky Penny is a warm reminder of my love for the craft.  Check out more hi-res photos in the gallery below.