I'm bringing my laptop and camera to the show so if I have the time I'll post some photos while I'm at the show. Last year I forgot my camera which was really dissapointing so this year I plan on taking lots of photos. I'll post them here to my blog.
Other people are doing the same and you can find some more photos here:
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/reports/nahbs2007/index.htm
Dennis is going to be at the show doing some fixed gear specific coverage. I'm excited to see him again.
http://townsendcycles.blogspot.com/
http://www.cyclofiend.com/nahbs
http://alexandchristine.smugmug.com/gallery/2522324
Check back Friday through Sunday for some photos!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
North American Handmade Bike Show
I'm leaving today so I'm as ready as I'll ever be! Unfortunately due to paint issues and other hassles I won't be bringing everything I wanted to bring...but I am quite happy with what I have and the show should be fun.
What I'm bringing:
Prototype stock TIG welded track frameset.
A really elegant road bike that we've been calling "super skinny" (we name all of them).
The above two bikes took nearly all my time this past month. Since my normal painter (Jason) has just moved into his new paint shop he didn't have time to paint them. I contacted Doug Fattic over in Niles Michigan about paint (he does great work as well). He was too busy to do all the work but offered to let me come and do the prep work and he'd spray the paint. I took him up on the offer and drove around the lake to Niles. The weather conspired against me and I was only able to spend 3 days there but lucky for me Marc Samuel was also there. He had worked with Doug in the past and is also a very good painter. I gave all the details to Marc and he took over with the remainder of the prep work and finished the frames for me. I finally got the frames back Monday after one long drive: 9 hours and a little glare ice to make it a fun adventure. I talked my assistant Zack into coming with me and we stopped in Evanston and visited Turin (he used to work there) which was a fun diversion from driving. Zac + cigarettes + red bull + non stop mega-mix rap all the way from Chicago to Niles always makes for a fun adventure (I think I'm still recouvering). Anyway...I'm rambling the frames are back and they are quite stunning. I owe Marc and Doug a favor as they really went out of their way on this one. Not only were they doing my stuff but Dave Bohm was also visiting to do some paint work for the show. Before I left I was talking to Marc about Daves stuff and he mentioned that he spent 50+ hours working on Dave's fancy how tandem. !!!
Ok back to other stuff I'm bringing:
Titanium quill stem - Same style as my normal quills, but polished TI. Quite sexy. This stem will be on Super Skinny.
Two of my fillet brazed cross "team" bikes: Zacks built bike, and my freshly painted frame.
Jasons track bike (best track bike at the show last year). This one will be on loan to Velocity to display some of their wheels.
Trevor will be coming to pick up Super Skinny (his new bike!) and will also be bringing Big Pink back to display.
Eric may come and bring one or both of the cross bikes I've built him.
Aaron is coming and he may bring his road bike (I hope he does).
What I wanted to bring but didn't' get finished:
Stainless lugged touring bike with custom racks. Not enough time to complete the polishing!
Full stainless 953 sport touring bike. I have to admit I was pushing it to think I could make it there with this one. If I didn't go to Niles to paint I probably could have finished it. It will be done shortly after the show so check back....its going to be pretty cool.
What I'm bringing:
Prototype stock TIG welded track frameset.
A really elegant road bike that we've been calling "super skinny" (we name all of them).
The above two bikes took nearly all my time this past month. Since my normal painter (Jason) has just moved into his new paint shop he didn't have time to paint them. I contacted Doug Fattic over in Niles Michigan about paint (he does great work as well). He was too busy to do all the work but offered to let me come and do the prep work and he'd spray the paint. I took him up on the offer and drove around the lake to Niles. The weather conspired against me and I was only able to spend 3 days there but lucky for me Marc Samuel was also there. He had worked with Doug in the past and is also a very good painter. I gave all the details to Marc and he took over with the remainder of the prep work and finished the frames for me. I finally got the frames back Monday after one long drive: 9 hours and a little glare ice to make it a fun adventure. I talked my assistant Zack into coming with me and we stopped in Evanston and visited Turin (he used to work there) which was a fun diversion from driving. Zac + cigarettes + red bull + non stop mega-mix rap all the way from Chicago to Niles always makes for a fun adventure (I think I'm still recouvering). Anyway...I'm rambling the frames are back and they are quite stunning. I owe Marc and Doug a favor as they really went out of their way on this one. Not only were they doing my stuff but Dave Bohm was also visiting to do some paint work for the show. Before I left I was talking to Marc about Daves stuff and he mentioned that he spent 50+ hours working on Dave's fancy how tandem. !!!
Ok back to other stuff I'm bringing:
Titanium quill stem - Same style as my normal quills, but polished TI. Quite sexy. This stem will be on Super Skinny.
Two of my fillet brazed cross "team" bikes: Zacks built bike, and my freshly painted frame.
Jasons track bike (best track bike at the show last year). This one will be on loan to Velocity to display some of their wheels.
Trevor will be coming to pick up Super Skinny (his new bike!) and will also be bringing Big Pink back to display.
Eric may come and bring one or both of the cross bikes I've built him.
Aaron is coming and he may bring his road bike (I hope he does).
What I wanted to bring but didn't' get finished:
Stainless lugged touring bike with custom racks. Not enough time to complete the polishing!
Full stainless 953 sport touring bike. I have to admit I was pushing it to think I could make it there with this one. If I didn't go to Niles to paint I probably could have finished it. It will be done shortly after the show so check back....its going to be pretty cool.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Fixed Gear Gallery best of '06
Check it out, the results are in for the Fixed Gear Gallery best of 2006 -
http://fixedgeargallery.com/2006contest/results.htm
Julies Jonny Cycle was voted best gal's bike.
Jason's Jonny made it into two categories - best new bike, and 2nd place for best of the gallery.
http://fixedgeargallery.com/2006contest/results.htm
Julies Jonny Cycle was voted best gal's bike.
Jason's Jonny made it into two categories - best new bike, and 2nd place for best of the gallery.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Momentum Magazine article
A month ago Amy from Momentum Magazine contacted me with some questions about my bikes for an article she was writing on the upcoming North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS). The magazine is based in Vancouver, CA and I first read it when my friend Jeff brought a few copies back from Interbike. Certainly one of the better bike mag's.
The article is out in the latest issue, and now available online: http://www.momentumplanet.ca/?q=node/321. A nice article, but I could be biased as the author gets excited about my bikes and calls them sexy.
The article is out in the latest issue, and now available online: http://www.momentumplanet.ca/?q=node/321. A nice article, but I could be biased as the author gets excited about my bikes and calls them sexy.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Stock bikes
I've been toying with the ideas of doing some stock size (pre-made) frames for awhile now. Initially Jason and I had the idea of doing a run of lugged frames that all have the same general theme, sort of like a limited edition run of frames. The main advantage would be that we could get some of our new ideas out there and make some really neat bikes. While I still have this idea rattling around in my head I've taken a different direction with this project for now.
I'm starting out with TIG welded track frames. TIG welded frames?! Even though up until now I've been exclusively building lugged frames I have nothing against welding as a method of joining tubes to form a frame. I haven't done it in the past because I'm not a welder, and I think lugged construction is the best way to build a frame (if you eliminate time and money as a factor). If done well (just like anything else) welding can be used to build a very nice frame (I own and ride a few TIG welded frames myself). With the addition of Ahren (master welder) and some nice new mitering equipment to the shop we are now equipped to build more frames faster...so why not?
Here's how the stock track bike project is going to work:
-All frames will be designed by me. Typical track sprint (Keirin) geometry. The main intended use is racing on the track...but they will be fun to use on the street as well.
-The frame will be welded by Ahren Rogers, forks are traditional crowned construction built by me.
-Paint: Still working out the details, but most likely these will be powdercoated to save time and a little money. Several color options will be available.
-Options:
Fork: Brake hole or no brake hole;
Frame: Water bottle mounts can be added.
-Sizing: Sizes offered will be 48 through 62 in 1 cm increments
-Lead time (from order to delivery): 1 month
So what are the advantages of these frames over my normal full custom lugged bikes?
-Time: This is the big one. Not everyone is willing to wait 15+ months for a frame.
-Cost: These frames will be less expensive. Not because I'm cutting corners on materials but because of the joining method, paint, and stock sizes. Target price for these is around $1000 for frame and fork.
What are the advantages of these frames over some other TIG welded production frame?
-Real, quality race ready frames made here in the US in my shop.
-Quality tubing (mix of Dedacciai Zero, Columbus Spirit, and True Temper OX Platinum) not some generic (and kind of heavy) cro-mo stuff.
-Style: These will have the normal Jonny Cycles high style that we (of course) think is great.
Enough talk. Here are some photos of the prototype that I'll be bringing to the Handmade Bike Show. After the show I'll have pricing and geometry finalized and will officially offer these frames starting in later April or early may. Sorry they are not the best photos as I was in a rush to get if off to paint in time for the show...but I'll post some better photos of the painted frame when its back from paint.
If your interested this one is a 55 cm frame and will be available after the show with a nice dark blue/sky blue color scheme
I'm starting out with TIG welded track frames. TIG welded frames?! Even though up until now I've been exclusively building lugged frames I have nothing against welding as a method of joining tubes to form a frame. I haven't done it in the past because I'm not a welder, and I think lugged construction is the best way to build a frame (if you eliminate time and money as a factor). If done well (just like anything else) welding can be used to build a very nice frame (I own and ride a few TIG welded frames myself). With the addition of Ahren (master welder) and some nice new mitering equipment to the shop we are now equipped to build more frames faster...so why not?
Here's how the stock track bike project is going to work:
-All frames will be designed by me. Typical track sprint (Keirin) geometry. The main intended use is racing on the track...but they will be fun to use on the street as well.
-The frame will be welded by Ahren Rogers, forks are traditional crowned construction built by me.
-Paint: Still working out the details, but most likely these will be powdercoated to save time and a little money. Several color options will be available.
-Options:
Fork: Brake hole or no brake hole;
Frame: Water bottle mounts can be added.
-Sizing: Sizes offered will be 48 through 62 in 1 cm increments
-Lead time (from order to delivery): 1 month
So what are the advantages of these frames over my normal full custom lugged bikes?
-Time: This is the big one. Not everyone is willing to wait 15+ months for a frame.
-Cost: These frames will be less expensive. Not because I'm cutting corners on materials but because of the joining method, paint, and stock sizes. Target price for these is around $1000 for frame and fork.
What are the advantages of these frames over some other TIG welded production frame?
-Real, quality race ready frames made here in the US in my shop.
-Quality tubing (mix of Dedacciai Zero, Columbus Spirit, and True Temper OX Platinum) not some generic (and kind of heavy) cro-mo stuff.
-Style: These will have the normal Jonny Cycles high style that we (of course) think is great.
Enough talk. Here are some photos of the prototype that I'll be bringing to the Handmade Bike Show. After the show I'll have pricing and geometry finalized and will officially offer these frames starting in later April or early may. Sorry they are not the best photos as I was in a rush to get if off to paint in time for the show...but I'll post some better photos of the painted frame when its back from paint.
If your interested this one is a 55 cm frame and will be available after the show with a nice dark blue/sky blue color scheme
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Purple Rain
Gaudy...but that's perfect. This stem was a prize for this years Stuporbowl alleycat up in Minneapolis. Last years race had a Prince theme...while this years race didn't have the same theme Prince is playing at halfime in the Superbowl so I saw fit to continue the theme.
I gave the stem to Keith Anderson to paint and gave him the instructions of: Prince, maybe some purble and gold. The photos below are what I received. Perfect.
If The Kid had this The Revolution would have been complete, but then maybe they wouldn't have written Purple Rain and The Time wouldn't even have tried....and that would be horrible. Good thing the stem came after the fact.
I gave the stem to Keith Anderson to paint and gave him the instructions of: Prince, maybe some purble and gold. The photos below are what I received. Perfect.
If The Kid had this The Revolution would have been complete, but then maybe they wouldn't have written Purple Rain and The Time wouldn't even have tried....and that would be horrible. Good thing the stem came after the fact.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Shop tour
The shops been quite busy latley...the other day I was inspired to take some photos of everyone working around the shop. I was finishing up polishing work on some stainless lugs, Zack's working on a cool Reynolds 531/Nervex for our friend Mark, and Ahren is working on a road twin plate fork.
So heres the shop...in all its messy glory:
So heres the shop...in all its messy glory:
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