Aluminum CX frame for Iowa

 This customer already has a frame I built with rim brakes. This one is a bit more current with flat mounts for disc brakes front and rear. This is a pretty heavy duty frame that should take a beating.

 This color is called "teddy bear brown" and really goes well with the original black and yellow logos that I designed in 1984. In the beginning this was the only decal I offered but around 8-10 years later people started asking for other colors. I still think that this is the best color-even if it isn't as popular as back in 1984.

Dead wood no more

 I have a few old projects in my shop- frames that needed some repair but never got done for various reasons. The biggest reason is that I have so little time apart from being a custom builder. These old frames that have been hanging in my shop are the result of either a shop or a customer dropping something off to be fixed and then deciding that the frame was not worth the expense of having me fix it. After that the usual result is that the customer or shop winds up giving me the frame with the usual : " Hey, you want this thing ? - you can have it."

Another scenario is the customer leaving town and I lose touch with them. Some times I'll  hear that the original owner of the frame died- the next of kin will get in touch with me and ask if I want the frame. I usually say yes- I like to fix things and keep them out of the landfill, especially when it is an interesting old bicycle frame. This one is no exception. The only thing it needed was a down tube replacement. There is, however no small amount of skill needed to do this job properly- otherwise it is quite easy to destroy what is left of the frame in the attempt to get the old tube out.

 Fortunately I was able to get the old tube out cleanly and replace it. I had to do a bit of alignment on the frame and fork but it is now fixed, straight and ready for a repaint after hanging on a hook for untold years. The frame was built in the early '80's by Dave Tesch , someone I knew and had some discussions with back in the day. Unfortunately , Dave got cancer and passed away at the young age of 44. I liked Dave and on this particularly rainy Sunday ( When if it weren't raining I would definitely be riding ) made it a point to eventually fix this frame so it could live on.

There's a good chance the newly restored frame will see duty at the Eroica California. I'll get the correct decals and try to make it as original as possible. I think that Dave might have approved.

Definitely the last frame of the year-first of its breed

For 2019 I will be introducing the newest incarnation of the team 7005 CX race frame. This is a frame that has been slowly evolving since 2002. The newest version now has a flat mount rear brake , flattened top tube for a taste more shouldering comfort , internal routing for the rear hydraulic line and more seat stay mud room by virtue of eliminating the seat stay bridge - in the bridge's place will be a gusset high up near the seat tube. This is to do a bit of stiffening and lessen the chance of the seats tays breaking near the seat tube from flex.

The goal is to make a bike that does not load up on mud as quickly as the bikes that have come before this new one. Another goal is to have as little stuff on the surface of the main tubes - it's an attempt to have clean surfaces where the rider is likely to grab the frame for carrying. Price on this frame will be $ 1,750 and will come with a thru-axle and seat collar. All these frames will be made to order - if you plan to race and want one it would be good to get your order in no later than mid April. I have to admit-I'm kind of excited to get more of these out on the course.

Maybe the last frame of 2018 ?

 That depends on what happens today. This is the first in an aluminum batch that might number 6-8 total. I'm building three track frames in this batch- unprecedented. The frame pictured is a disc/road frame set up for Di II.

 The tubing is nearly all from Dedacciai and is 7005 series. I am now routing the rear hydraulic line through the down tube- something I didn't do until late this year in aluminum . I have offered it on steel frames for a little over a year now.

This frame is also fitted with the Ahrens design flat mount and dropouts. I'll be building many of these in 2019 according to my order list. I'll be updating my race CX frames to be more like this frame with the exception of more mud room. I should have some new stuff to show at NAHBS in Sacramento in March.

Steel MTB frame for Marin County

This one has dropper post routing and a sterling silver Jen Green headbadge. This frame will be ridden where mountain biking supposedly got its start about 40+ years ago.

 Lots of Paragon Machine works hardware on this one- BB shell, head tube, dropouts and brake caliper mount. This is not a boost frame and will probably not run a tire larger than a 2.4".

This year I will have built more MTB frames than in the last 4-5 years. Maybe the hardtail really is coming back !

headbadge for 40th anniversary bike

Yes, this is what will hopefully be on the head tube of my 40th anniversary special bike. This bike will be shown at the upcoming NAHBS, along with a few other complete bikes. This show might be a special one for me and I'll be bringing some merchandise to commemorate the occasion. I'm not sure that I'll ever do another bike sho so if you want to see my work be sure and get to Sacramento in March. I'll be next door to Mike De Salvo who himself is having a 20th anniversary.......might have to make a 20-40 shirt !

Aluminum gravel tandem frame

 Yes, that's what it is. I don't think there will be another one at the upcoming NAHBS but then I could be wrong. This has been a vision of mine for about a year and in the last two days I have devoted all the time to making it happen.

 While it isn't quite done yet , it is about 90% completed. I still need to put all the bottle mounts on and address the final alignment, maybe install rack mounts in the rear. The frame will be paired with a Rodeo Labs fork. Originally I was going to do a project with Rodeo Labs but I was not able to meet the timeline they needed. I'll still use their fork on this bike as it seems to be the only carbon fork stout enough for tandem use. It also has rack mounts as well.

I'm waiting for the tandem cranks- they should be available next month. I am still figuring out what to use for wheels- as many spokes as I can get and some really strong wide rims . The bike will have 700x40 tires to start . The frame weighs 9 lb. 1 oz. and is made from 7005. The down tube, seat tube and chain stays are NOS US made Easton tubes from the late '90's.