racing machines

2014 ROAD

introduction

I built the first Speedvagen in 2006. It was a singlespeed cross bike and was my own
personal race bike. It had a homemade extended seat mast with a Thomson seat post,
carved down to a stub and glued in place to accommodate my saddle height. I stripped
an SLR saddle down to the shell, drilled it out and painted it matte army green along
with the frame; the perfect color, I thought, for a homemade hot rod prototype.
That first bike wasnt called Speedvagen. Around the shop, for efficiency sake, and
maybe because we like to think that were clever, we tend to take words and smash
them together. (When I say we, I mean me) The Cross concept bike was affectionately
referred to as the croscept. Kind of an unwieldy name, right?
Well, I raced that prototype for the season and loved the heck out of the bikes sparse
design, light weight and sure footedness.
Around this time my wait list for Vanilla was exploding. I was faced with the conflict of
not wanting to compromise what I was doing with Vanilla (It was important to me that
I be the builder of my bikes and continue to pursue my craft). At the same time I didn't
want to be exclusive to the point that I couldn't build bikes for my teammates, the
Gentle Lovers, and fellow racers that liked the direction we were going and wanted to
go that direction too. That year, 2006, Speedvagen was given a name and a clear direction: a small run of race bikes produced several times a year. The wait would be
months, not years. The bikes would be built in house with the help of A list guest
builders and a take away everything non-essential and innovate with what was left
design approach.
Now, in the summer of 2013, there have been seven runs of Road Machines, eight runs
of Cross Machines and about 500 bikes in total. The bikes have gone to every continent.
They have been piloted by their owners in everything from beginner to pro level races
including top tens, podiums and wins at National Championships and International
UCI events.
In the past seven years, with feedback from our race team and our growing family of SV
riders, Speedvagen has been gradually evolving. In the early years, our frames were
built using many off-the-shelf tubes; we hashed through making our own seat post
heads out of machined stainless steel (if you listen closely, you can hear me pulling my
hair out); we built our own seat tubes, we went through version after version of our
Berserker Drop-out in R&D, etc. etc.
Now in contrast, nearly every tube that we use is custom drawn to our specified size,
shape, and thickness; we offer carbon Speedvagen seat post heads, and have a super
light carbon seat tube option on our road and cross frames. Small parts like our cable
stops, our stainless steel reinforced brake bridges, our head tube reinforcing rings and
our down tube adjusters are all of our own design. These may seem like small steps, but
the thousands of hours that have gone into researching, designing and fabricating
parts and tooling, make for a better bicycle.
We're looking forward to making this run of Speedvagen the most innovative and
meticulously built to date. I hope you are as excited as we are...

photo: michael tabtabai

contents

cover photo & this photo: jeff curtes

In the following pages, you will find descriptions of this years color palette, our component offerings, upgrade options, and a pricing breakdown for all of the above.
Please, print out the work sheet in the back of the guidebook to take notes on. Well be in touch shortly to arrange a chat date to answer any questions and finalize your
order.

1 Intro
2 Contents
3 Standard features

8
14
15
19

Paint and Graphics Options

Component options and Philosophy
Popular Upgrades
Frameset Options

19 Frameset Options
20 Kit Options
21 Gruppo Options

22 Shipping
23 the Vanilla Workshop
24 Work Sheet

sta n da r d f e atu r e s

SPEEDVAGEN

We design the Speedvagen road bikes to be

good stage race machines. Here is the best
description we can offer: they are comfortable
for long days in the saddle and very stable at
high speeds. When riding curvy roads, the bike
feels better and more fun the faster it goes.
Speedvagen are nimble and well balanced
while climbing (this comes from how the
wheels are laid out under the rider and how
that design complements the fit). The bottom
bracket is on the lower side, which gives the
rider more agility. This means that you'll be
able to take tighter lines than you could on a
bike with a higher center of gravity. The
tubing is light, but stout enough to inspire
confidence. We have the fastest sprinters in
Oregon racing our bikes and they have nothing but good stuff to say about their stiffness.
At the same time, people also tout the comfort. I guess it sounds too good to be true...but
well leave that up to you.

photo: jeff curtes

TUBING

Our tubing is made up of the strongest alloys

from True Temper and Columbus. The stronger
the alloy is, the thinner it can be drawn and
remain strong. The thinner the tubing the
lighter it is. When you go thin and light, you
also need to make the diameter of the tube
larger to keep the frame stiff. Look at one of
our frames; youll see larger diameters up at
the headtube to deal with the twisting forces
and smaller diameter at the seat tube/ top
tube joint; a place that you want a little cush.
The down tube is bi-axially ovalized (fancy
words for ovals being oriented at 90 degrees
to each other) because you have vertical force
up at the headtube and side to side force
where the downtube meets the bottom
bracket. The seatstays have too much going on
to get into, and are crazy difficult to make
compared to the stock offerings. Theyre a big
contributor to the inexplicable ride quality of a
Speedvagen and that makes it all worth while.
Each tube is selected and shaped specifically
for its owner and based on the size of the bike.
We do this in-house for an even ratio of
strength, suppleness and sexualissimo.

sta n da r d f e atu r e s

sta n da r d f e atu r e s

BRAKE BRIDGES

A typical brake bridge between the seatstays has a painted

face where the brake mounts. On every bike in the world, the
paint gets squeezed out when the brake is bolted on and that
paint eventually falls off of the frame leaving bare metal to
rust. We like to use Stainless steel in high wear and tear areas
and this spot fits the bill. We took cues from our Berzerker
dropout with the removable brushed metal face. The inside of
the bridge has been machined out, turning the chunk of metal
into what is essentially a very light tube. The bridge tapers to
a larger diameter where it attaches to the stays, creating a
stiffer joint. This results in less flex and better braking.

photo: bob huff

sta n da r d f e atu r e s

INTEGRATED SEATMAST

An integrated seat mast makes for beautiful lines. A couple of

things that are unique to our bikes: The length of every Speedvagen seat mast is finished specifically for its owner. We use stainless steel around the top of the seat tube where our post head
mounts, rather than the post head wearing on a painted surface.
The result is lighter, and cleaner, than a traditional seat post and
collar and looks great topped off with our ENVE-made Speedvagen post head. Lighten it up with the ENVE carbon fiber seat tube
upgrade and you could be defending your machine to the UCI.

photo: bob huff

sta n da r d f e atu r e s

BERZERKER DROPOUTS

This new generation of dropout is our lightest and

smartest to date. The Berzerker dropout is cast from
a super strong steel alloy and incorporates stainless
steel inner and outer faces. The use of dual materials
means that we get the strength of the base metal
and the protection from wear and tear that the raw
stainless offers. The design is all business. The fact
that it looks killer? Well, thats gravy.

photo: bob huff

8
PAINT OPTIONS

Each year Sacha puts together a new color palette

for the bikes. These colors are shared by all Speedvagen (Road & Cross) from that year. This creates a
family of bikes and a cross section of Speedvagen
culture and history.
The three main colors for 2014 are Race Red,
Kawaski Green and our perennial favorite (the
color of the original SV) Matte Army Green. Each of
these colors work well with minimal graphics, but
will also play nicely in a heavier graphics scheme
that incorporates all of the colors.
In addition to the three frame colors, you have
several graphic styles to choose from: Overt,
Covert, Hollow Text, Horizon and the Leave It On
The Road commemorative scheme. In the following pages we have included photos as well as a
description of each graphic style to give you a
sense of layout options.

paint options

Kawasaki Green

Matte Army

Of course there is also the Surprise Me! option.

Should be tasteful, but thats relative isnt it?
Sachas choice. No hints, no regrets!
UPGRADES
Surprise Me!: $0-$800
Overt: $550 (color integration on hubs $150)
Leave It On The Road: $600

Defining our color

palette creates a family
of bikes as well as a
cross section of Speedvagen
culture and history.

Race Red

graphic options - covert

COVERT GRAPHICS

The idea of minimal branding, especially taking

away material to brand a frame, rather than
adding material, is true to the original vision of
Speedvagen. This way the visual focus is on the
seamless design of the bike, rather than the
graphics, while the rider focus remains on the
ride.
The Covert paint scheme has a base frame color
with the word Speedvagen laser cut out of the
head tube and backed with a carbon fiber sleeve,
which shows through the cut away portion of
the head tube. The 1 millimeter cross section of
the head tube is highlighted with a contrasting
color, and if you choose to upgrade to a carbon
seatpost head the 3-dimensional Speedvagen
shield will be highlighted with the same color.

minimal
branding

true to the original

v i s i o n

o f

speedvagen
photos: bob huff

10

graphic options - hollow text

texture
conveysthat

information

HOLLOW TEXT GRAPHICS

Many of our recent Speedvagen paint schemes

have big, somewhat abstract, single color hollow
text that wraps around the tube. This has been a
way to add color and texture to the frame, filling it
out - so to speak - while not overwhelming the
frame with contrasting color.
From a distance, the frame looks like a single solid
color. However, closer up you notice a texture to
the color, a pattern. Closer still, you see that
texture is conveying information, enough that you
want to really get in there and see what is being
said.

photos: bob huff

11

graphic options - overt

OVERT GRAPHICS

In the Overt paint scheme, three stripes (in this

year's colors) run down the seat mast and along
the center line of the top tube. The stripes also run
under the down tube, on the chain stays and down
the fork blades, incorporating the Speedvagen
logo and shield. This graphics scheme is the raciest
by far.
There is a $550 upgrade for the Overt scheme.
Colorwork integration for KIT A will add
another $150.

raciest

b y f a r

photos: bob huff

12

graphic options - leave it on the road

LEAVE IT ON THE ROAD

Earlier this summer Michael Tabtabai and Andrew

Hudon embarked on a 3,465 mile, 23 day ride from
Astoria, Oregon to Plymouth, Massachusetts in the
summer of 2013. Averaging 150 miles and 4,300
feet of climbing per day, the goal was to raise
money and awareness for the Colon Club and
Colon Cancer Alliance. The result was as much a
moving, spirited and cathartic experience for the
pair of friends who undertook the challenge as it
was for the thousands who followed and supported them on their journey every day.

We paired a bold stripe of the blue from their logo

with a top panel of the Vanilla blue. A hit of red
across the middle brings the two together.
Sponsor logos are featured along the driveside
chainstay balance the LIOTR logo on the top tube.

There is an upgrade of $600 for this scheme. All profits will be donated to advancing cancer research
and raising awareness about cancer screening.

photos:
photos:Bob
bobHuff
huff

13

graphic options - horizon

HORIZON GRAPHICS

The newest paint scheme being offered for our

2014 Speedvagen Road customers is Horizon.
We wanted something with some depth but that
didn't feel heavy. The Horizon scheme layers three
complimentary colors boldest to lightest from
bottom to top giving the impression of a sea scape
or summer day in the mountains chasing clouds.
When requesting this scheme, just let us know
which 2014 frame color (pg8) you would like as the
base of the scheme.

photos: bob huff

14

component options & philosophy

Component options & philosophy

Our component offerings are broken into two kit levels:

Kit A is comprised of cutting edge, bred-for-racing components (i.e. lotsa carbon, tubular tires, etc.) and also includes
custom paint integration on our base level paint jobs.* In
contrast, Kit B utilizes hand built alloy wheels, alloy bar
and stem, clincher tires, etc., making it both race-worthy and
a capable workhorse. Within each kit level youll have a
choice of shifter/drivetrain brand and level (i.e. Campagnolo
Super Record, Shimano Dura Ace, SRAM Rival, etc.).
We would prefer to build you a complete bike. It is our experience that the highest level of customization and performance can be obtained when we see your bike through its
final test ride. Its during the final build-process that we can
tweak the most minute details and dial-in the finishing
touches, thus creating a true racing thoroughbred.

"I use components

that I love and stand
behind for their design,
durability and the core
values of the companies
that produce them."
-Sacha

Many of the components that well feature on your bike are

from companies who sponsor the Speedvagen Cyclocross
race team. Weve chosen them for our team and for you
because they all offer performance and good value, but
most of all because they are companies that we respect for
doing things the right way, companies that we can stand
behind.

Painted & powdered components

The best looking bikes from the last couple of Speedvagen

batches have had the frame colors integrated into the components through paint work on the hubs and the stem (or
bar/stem combo). We are offering this Component Colorwork on the high-end kit (Kit A) at no extra charge.* If you
want the components with their standard colors and graphics, no worries.
Note: Were not able to do Component Colorwork on Chris King
components and will be using DT Swiss for bikes getting this level of
color integration.
*color integration for an Overt paint scheme with KIT A will be an
additonal $150.

photo: bob huff

15

popular upgrades

SPEEDVAGEN CARBON SEATPOST ASSEMBLY

Weve worked with ENVE Composites to develop a Speedvagenspecific, externally clamping post. The new design has zero setback
and has more vertical adjustment. At 90 grams, its half the weight of
our original design. This item will be painted to match your frame,
and will feature a 3-dimensional Speedvagen shield on the front.

photo: bob huff

To upgrade from a standard seatpost head to the

Speedvagen carbon, painted to match your frame is $250

16

popular upgrades

CARBON FIBER SEAT TUBE

For 2014, we're offering a carbon seat tube as an

option on the Speedvagen Road Machines. Each
carbon seat tube will be made for the rider, meaning
that when we design your frame, we'll also design
your carbon seat tube to the ideal weight and stiffness for you. From there well send that design to
ENVE Composites and they'll mold a tube just for
your bike which we'll build into the frame.
The substitution of carbon for the traditional steel
seat tube will cush out the ride and will offer weight
savings of between 1/3 and 1/2 pound depending on
frame size.
photo: bob huff

This upgrade option is $750

17

popular upgrades

Di2 / EPS INTEGRATION

Di2 BATTERY INTEGRATION

this upgrade option is $300.

this upgrade option is $300.

Around 40% of SV riders have us build their bikes with

Shimanos Di2, Ui2 and Campagnolo EPS electronic groups.
This system eliminates standard shift cable routing brazeons and routes the wires through the frames tubing, rather
than outside of the tube. Integrating the wiring harness
into your frame adds considerable fabrication time and proprietary fittings, but the result is visual cleanliness and
precise function.

Routing the wires internally is one thing, but up until now

weve used Shimanos traditional battery and junction box
which are bolted on (like a water bottle cage) to the underside
of the down tube. Weve released our own integrated battery
system, which affixes the battery neatly inside the top of the
seatmast under the seatpost head. The system is beautifully
designed, weatherproof and requires no tools for installation
or removal of the battery for charging; a pleasure to use.
photos: bob huff

18

popular upgrades

PRO STEALTH EVO BAR / STEM COMBO

We have offered the PRO Stealth Evo bar/stem combo as an upgrade option on our road bikes for a few years now. We like them for their
shape and stiffness-to-strength ratio. They also look super sharp when painted up to match your frame set, the broad tops offer an good
amount of color integration. We offer the full range of stem lengths and bar widths.
This upgrade option including paint to match your scheme, is KIT A: $400, KIT B: $600, and A La Carte: $800

photo: bob huff

frameset options

19

Lets Get

10

PERSONAL

Every Speedvagen frameset includes the frame,

an ENVE carbon fork, and Ritchey seat post
head. Each Speedvagen, stock and custom,
includes a seatmast sized specifically for you.

STOCK: $3700

Our stock bikes come in increments of 2cm

from 48cm to 62cm. If you know your measurements and you're ready to roll, a stock frame is
the way to go. We contact each customer
individually on the phone to talk about your
new bike. When we chat all youll need to know
is your ideal saddle height, what type of saddle
youll be using, rail type and what color and
graphics combination youll want.

FULL CUSTOM: $4350

A full custom Speedvagen is where we can

really dial in the proportions for the individual
and make a bike that will be perfectly balanced
for you. Every measurement, cut and angle is
made to fit your exact specifications. A custom
Speedvagen includes a fit session here at the
Workshop with Sacha.
The frame is designed from the ground up just
for you and not based on any template. Custom
measurements and adjustments include top
tube length, seat tube length and angle, head
tube length and angle, top tube stand over
height, fork rake, chain stay length for balance
and bottom bracket drop optimized for the
type of riding and/or racing you will be doing.

4
8
5

48cm

ROAD FRAME SIZE

1 - Effective Top Tube Length

2 - Seat Tube (Center to Center)

3 - Seat Tube Angle

4 - Bottom Bracket Drop

5 - Chainstay Length

6 - Head Tube Length

7 - Stack

8 - Reach

9 - Suggested Saddle Height Range

10 - Suggested Stem Length Range
B.O.A. RATING*

515
458
74.5
70
409
105
515
370
630-670
70-100
11

50cm

525
468
74
70
409
110
521
374
650-690
70-100
11

52cm

535
478
73.5
75
412
114
529
378
665-705
80-110
11

54cm

546
493
73.2
75
412
123
542
382
680-735
90-120
11

56cm

560
516
72.8
75
413
141
559
387
710-765
100-130
11

58cm

573
538
72.7
75
413
163
582
392
745-800
110-130
11

60cm

587
568
72.5
75
415
182
603
397
765-835
110-140
11

62cm

600
584
72.3
75
417
200
621
403
785-860
120-140
11

Suggested saddle height range is meant to be a guide for finding the right sized bike.
The actual range of saddle height adjustment, once the seatmast length is set, will be about 15mm.

GENERAL FRAME SPECS:

Front Derailleur Clamp is 28.6 : 1 1/8 Standard Headset to be used

130mm rear spacing for geared bikes : 68mm English Bottom Bracket

* Bureau Of Awesome

kit options

20

KIT A

HEADSET: Chris King

HANDLEBAR: ENVE Composites carbon fiber (shallow or deep drop)
STEM: ENVE Composites carbon fiber
SADDLE: Whatever you want (upcharges may apply)
HANDLEBAR TAPE: Cork (to match saddle)
HUBS: Chris King R45 or DT Swiss 240 (20/24/28h)

$3720

Color integration is included on DT Swiss hubs only with covert and hollow text graphics packages

RIMS: ENVE Composite carbon rims tubular 1.25mm, SES 3.4 or 6.7 set.
or ENVE Composite carbon rims clincher SES 3.4 or 6.7 set
SPOKES: DT Swiss Aerolites (or equivalent) with ENVE nipples
SKEWERS: ENVE
TIRES: Schwalbe Ultremo HT Tubular (22 or 25) or ZX Clincher (23 or 25)
BRAKE PADS: ENVE carbon pads

KIT B

HEADSET: Chris King

HANDLEBAR: Ritchey WCS: classic, compact or anatomic
STEM: Ritchey WCS
SADDLE: Whatever you want (upcharges may apply)
HANDLEBAR TAPE: Cork tape (to match saddle)
HUBS: Chris King R45 or DT Swiss 240
RIMS: HED Belgium rims
SPOKES: DT Swiss spokes with alloy nipples
TIRES: Schwalbe Lugano clincher (23 or 25)

$1450

POPULAR UPGRADES

Ceramic bearings for Chris King or DT Swiss hubsets: $150

PRO Stealth Evo Carbon Bar/Stem with paint: (KIT A) $400, (KIT B) $600
ENVE Carbon Stem: (KIT B) $100
ENVE 1.0 Fork: (KIT A) $175, (KIT B) $225
Speedvagen Carbon Seat Post Head: $250
Carbon Seat Tube: $750
Di2 / EPS Intergration: $300
Di2 Battery Intergration: $300
photo: jeff curtes

parts pricing is subject to change

gruppo options

21

GRUPPOS

Once you've selected your parts kit, it's time to consider which
eight piece component group you would like to run on your
Speedvagen. Some people are dyed-in-the-wool Campagnolo
while others bow to Dura Ace. Whether you're going for top of
the line electronic or or good ol mechanical, we've got what
you need. Our gruppo pricing is up to 40% below MSRP and
competitive with most online retailers. Gruppos are only
available with a parts kit and are only sold as a complete unit
with no substitutions.

GRUPPO

Campagnolo Super Record 11 EPS

Campagnolo Super Record 11
Campagnolo Record 11 EPS
Campagnolo Record 11
Campagnolo Chorus 11
Shimano Dura Ace 9070 Di2
Shimano Dura Ace 9000
Shimano Ultegra Di2
Shimano Ultegra
Sram Red 22
Sram Force 22
Sram Rival
photo: jeff curtes

$4250
$2725
$3600
$2015
$1450
$3115
$1850
$1455
$740
$1800
$985
$715

shipping

22

SHIPPING

Your complete bike, or frame set, will be carefully

packed in our own Vanilla Workshop doublethick re-usable box. Rear dropouts will be secured
with machined wood spacers that are bolted in
place to protect dropout spacing, just in case.
If you live overseas and have a shipping carrier
you trust we will gladly work with them to ensure
delivery. We can also take care of it here using the
United States Postal Service or UPS and we will
bill you for the shipping. Please note, you will be
responsible for any taxes, tariffs, and duties to
your country.
If you would like to purchase any addtional
Speedvagen gear to be shipped with your frame,
be sure to let us know. Weve got some waterbottles, hats t-shirts, pit boots, and socks that will
look great with your bike and can be found at our
online store: www.boutique.vanillabicycles.com

SHIPPING COSTS
COMPLETE BICYCLE:
Domestic
International
FRAMESET ONLY:
Domestic
International

Free
A $100.00 credit will be applied on
international shipping for complete bikes.
Email for a quote.
$140.00
Email for a quote.

23

the vanilla workshop

photo: michael tabtabai

"From the beginning with Vanilla I've thought, What's the point of having this business if I cant put rad ideas into action? It goes way beyond
just building bicycle frames, it goes into exploring concepts, innovating and collaborating on many different levels. I want to work with designers,
craftsmen, photographers, writers and graphic artists to create The Best and break convention." - Sacha White

worksheet

24
Well thats it. Fun, right?!
Its fun for us too!
Please, spend some quality time with this
document. Take a bit to mull it over, get
excited and then print out this last page to
keep notes on.
Soon, well want to talk with you on the phone
to discuss your choices and answer any questions you may have. Lets plan to chat
between now and the end of next week. Well
be in touch shortly to schedule a time and
date.
If youre not sure about any of the measurements located on this page, we can give you
some guidance or you can consult your
mechanic, Local Bike Shop or fit specialist.
Thanks, from everyone here at the The Vanilla
Workshop: Jenn, Tom, Ryan, Evan, Jrdn, Birger,
Patrick, Sacha and of course...Charlie

frameset: stock (what size?) / custom

(If you want custom, do you want to schedule a fitting here at the Workshop or use existing bike measurements?)

frame color: matte army green / kawasaki green / race red / surprise me!

graphics option: overt / hollow text / covert / surprise me! / leave it on the road / horizon
saddle you plan on using:

make

model
rail type
saddle thickness

(We take this measurement from the center of the saddle rails to the top center of the saddle.
Make sure the saddle is sitting so that the top plane has an even horizon).

kit: kit a / kit b

gruppo:
crank:

length

gearing

cassette:
spread

hubs: chris king / dt swiss

hole count

Speedvagen chat date & time

stem length:
bar: compact / standard
width

The Vanilla Workshop

1711 SE Powell Blvd
Portland, OR 97202
www.speedvagen.com
speedvagen@gmail.com
503.233.2453

upgrades / a la carte items?

approved by the bureau of awesomeness