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Tonic Fab Howie - For you 26 inch Enthusiasts
by spoiledgoods
Posted: Nov 25, 2008
Impeccable manufacturing, proven testing, and dialed geometry are some of the guidelines that Tonic Fabrication follows. Since day 1 Tonic Fab has been about doing what they want, when they want, not to follow the trend. No trendy graphics, weird geometries, or eye-sores are added into the Tonic, making it one of the cleanest looking frames I've seen.
Click here for info on my Howie...
Click here for info on my Howie...
A short while ago Tonic was keeping their ties in the 24" wheel industry. The Fall Guy was Tonic's claim to fame. Tonic had developed a 24" specific frame that had dialed geometry and they had a small grouping of riders following close behind. I have been following Tonic as they have advanced through the years. I figured with the creation of the Howie, it was time for me to get a Tonic.
After getting a hold of Landon at Tonic Fab, figuring out his stock, and sending him my cash via Paypal, I traveled to Ship Happens to get my frame. I was ready to build up my own Tonic. I have been waiting for this for quite some time now, so once the frame showed up it was time to get things started. However, this is not a review on my bike build, so lets talk about the Howie.
A couple years ago the Tonic team requested a 26" hardtail. They created the Howie, the team loved it, and now we are able to love the Howie just as much. Just for a slightly increased price bracket over the team. Tonic prides themselves in construction. So why buy a Tonic? Well, for starters because it's a Tonic! Hand crafted in Portland Oregon, using simplicity and focusing on a term known as "clean". The Howie is one of the most eye pleasing bikes I have ever seen. With extra short chain stays, an integrated headset, press in bottom bracket, and a standard disc mount the Howie frame is far from busy. Strait gauge tubing keeps the general design clean, with nice accents such as bent seat stays, and limited gusseting.
As stated before, the headset is integrated Campy style. The head tube measures in at 112mm and sits at 69 degrees. The top tube length on the Howie is 22.25 inches, with 15.25 inch chain stays. These ultra short chain stays keep the wheel slammed in the drop out, making for a very clean wheel well. The seat tube angle is 72 degrees, which puts the rider in an upright position when sitting. However with the extremely low stand over height I do not see myself sitting very much. The Howie runs 135mm drop out spacing which allows you to run all mountain and freeride orientated wheels, therefore not limiting you at all, however, it is disc brake only.
Equiped with a 27.2 seat post, and weighing in at a minimalist 5.251 pounds and constructed out of 100% Tonictanium which is better known as steel, the Howie is a street and park ready bike, with clean lines, and dialed geometry. Tonic sells these beauty's for $700 USD (frame only), and include a small side note that the Howie is one bad mutha. Tonic frames are available through their site, and they are pretty good about writing back asap.
[PI=3106897 size=m align=c]Tonic Fabrication GROUP[/PI]
As it stands, the component build on the Tonic goes:
Fork: RST Space Fork
Cranks: Deity Vendetta Cranks
Stem: Point One Racing Split Second
Tires: WTB Graffiti UK Tires
For those of you who are interested in Tonic they have recently re designed the Howie, and also released a Howie R/T. Click here for more info.
After getting a hold of Landon at Tonic Fab, figuring out his stock, and sending him my cash via Paypal, I traveled to Ship Happens to get my frame. I was ready to build up my own Tonic. I have been waiting for this for quite some time now, so once the frame showed up it was time to get things started. However, this is not a review on my bike build, so lets talk about the Howie.
A couple years ago the Tonic team requested a 26" hardtail. They created the Howie, the team loved it, and now we are able to love the Howie just as much. Just for a slightly increased price bracket over the team. Tonic prides themselves in construction. So why buy a Tonic? Well, for starters because it's a Tonic! Hand crafted in Portland Oregon, using simplicity and focusing on a term known as "clean". The Howie is one of the most eye pleasing bikes I have ever seen. With extra short chain stays, an integrated headset, press in bottom bracket, and a standard disc mount the Howie frame is far from busy. Strait gauge tubing keeps the general design clean, with nice accents such as bent seat stays, and limited gusseting.
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As stated before, the headset is integrated Campy style. The head tube measures in at 112mm and sits at 69 degrees. The top tube length on the Howie is 22.25 inches, with 15.25 inch chain stays. These ultra short chain stays keep the wheel slammed in the drop out, making for a very clean wheel well. The seat tube angle is 72 degrees, which puts the rider in an upright position when sitting. However with the extremely low stand over height I do not see myself sitting very much. The Howie runs 135mm drop out spacing which allows you to run all mountain and freeride orientated wheels, therefore not limiting you at all, however, it is disc brake only.
Equiped with a 27.2 seat post, and weighing in at a minimalist 5.251 pounds and constructed out of 100% Tonictanium which is better known as steel, the Howie is a street and park ready bike, with clean lines, and dialed geometry. Tonic sells these beauty's for $700 USD (frame only), and include a small side note that the Howie is one bad mutha. Tonic frames are available through their site, and they are pretty good about writing back asap.
[PI=3106897 size=m align=c]Tonic Fabrication GROUP[/PI]
Looking sexy!
Fork: RST Space Fork
Cranks: Deity Vendetta Cranks
Stem: Point One Racing Split Second
Tires: WTB Graffiti UK Tires
For those of you who are interested in Tonic they have recently re designed the Howie, and also released a Howie R/T. Click here for more info.
52 Comments
- - 6
2big4u
(Jul 3, 2009 at 0:15)
(Below Threshold) show comment
Nice Frame, but I dont really like the look of the chain stay.
the chainstays are ultra clean, just as the rest of the bike, i have to say this is one of the sickest frames in its category, super light, and the tight geometry seems oh so dialed! only bad thing about the frame is its price tag, but im sure those who have one can attest that its worth every penny. nice article as well! one of the top, if not THE TOP high end dj/street/park frames on the market!
wow that sucks for people with the old howie, the new howie has even nicer geo and weighs less, and costs 75 USD less with a BB, i would be so mad if i bought an old howie frame just before word got out about the new howie!
i wouldn't want to ride that frame only because of the chainstays, it looks so sketchy. and it wouldn't be the first chainstay i'd bend with some hardcore streetriding (on one of my frames i broke the whole rear triangle thing, on another frame i bent the chainstays very bad, like 5 inches away from where they should be, within 2 months of riding). But since i got great warranty on those frames i won't tell what frames they were to not ruin the company's name
IMO these stays are stronger by design. They are ovalized where they meet the yoke and therefore have increased surface area where the weld is...
so it's heavier than a mob, longer than a mob, more expensive than mob, and doesn't looks as good..... sounds like a good deal to me.
ahahahahaha nice one and what retard posted this up there is a new howie announced on the news like 2 weeks dumass! http://www.pinkbike.com/news/tonic-fab-new-howie-2009.html
Let's set the record straight. The Howie's chain-stays are .25" shorter than the Mob. The Howie is .1 lbs heavier the Mob. And, if the TT is longer that's YOUR CHOICE as a rider as the Mob comes in different TT lengths. I think that Tonics look way cooler than Mobs. The Mobs look like a BMX frame that fits 26" wheels, while the Tonics are completely unique with thick stays with mellow bends, a cool chainstay yoke and a simple powder-coat color-scheme. Both are great frames. The Tonic is more slightly more expensive due to a smaller production run and due to it being a small company that does EVERYTHING in house (besides paint).
Well, the article was about the OLD howie...good point though. ALSO, there is a new Howie for 4x/Slalom/DJ action as well. Support independent builders!
[Reply]
alot caus i think you can only order it from there site so you are going to have to pay like £40 shipping like £400 for the frame and then tax when it gets here, so to much and baring in mind this is the old howie new one is alot better
[Reply]
anyone who doesn't like the look of that bike is insane, i recon it looks mint, only let down is the RST's
This frame design is over 3 years old, and has been replaced with a new model. That said, the old bike is hardly dated.
The new Howie is on our site, as well as the Howie R/T for racing.
Love the "doesn't look strong" comments about a bike which has proven it's self to be quite the opposite over the years.
We (owners)actually ride. We also have a team which tests our stuff.
I guess we don't blow our horn loudly enough for the Bike Scholars to notice...
-L
The new Howie is on our site, as well as the Howie R/T for racing.
Love the "doesn't look strong" comments about a bike which has proven it's self to be quite the opposite over the years.
We (owners)actually ride. We also have a team which tests our stuff.
I guess we don't blow our horn loudly enough for the Bike Scholars to notice...
-L
those that know, or pay any attention, and have even the slightest bit of taste or experience know that Tonics are where its at, and that your Los Tonistas are the crazyiest muthas in the NW's!
i say dont stop what your doing...
-and pound a tall boy for every hater ass hater (12 years old or not) in the house.
i say dont stop what your doing...
-and pound a tall boy for every hater ass hater (12 years old or not) in the house.
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