Trans Iowa v.4

http://transiowa.blogspot.com/


Not sure what I've gotten myself into here. Awhile ago Zack and I sent in our Registration postcard for the Trans Iowa race. We didn't make it in time and were put on the waiting list. I forgot all about it until this morning I received this e-mail :

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Jonny,

Guitar Ted here with Trans Iowa. I hope all is well with you. I am writing to let you know that your name is next in line for an open spot on the T.I.V4 roster. I have your card here on "the waiting list". If you are still interested in getting on board with all the gravely fun, just respond to this e-mail within two days and i will add your name to the roster.

If I do not see a response within two days I'll move on to the next name in line and yours will go to the end of the line.

Cheers!

Guitar Ted

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Now I have until April 26th to prepare for a non-stop all gravel road 300+ mile race w/30 or so hours to do it.

Time to start riding....

Banjo Cycles

Ahren now has a web-site up, check it out:

http://www.banjobicycles.com/

Across the hall with ZR Cycles

Check out what Zack has been up to over on the other side of the shop:

A lugged 650b S & S coupled single speed mountain bike.





I think the made from scratch lugs are a nice touch and bring a bit of (much needed) style to the mtn bike world.

More photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9071768@N04/sets/72157603655073475/

I'm sure more photos will follow once its back from paint.

http://www.zrcycles.com/

Leah in Argentina

Leah, who's usually hanging out in the shop building custom racks has been traveling in Argentina (and will be for a couple more months!) with two of her friends.

They have a good blog going, check it out:

http://overtheandes.blogspot.com/

Cute little book

Found a neat book the otherday: "Everyday Engineering" by Andrew Burroughs + IDEO. Its essentially a collection of photos illustrating several ideas, divided into several sections with a short description before each section. The titles of each section are Craftsmanship, Unseen, Illusions, Interfaces, Elegance, Function follows form, Challenges, Corners, Ugliness, Materials, Repetition, Consequences, Nature, and Time. Flipping thought to the Elegance section you'll find a photo of one of my frames (which I build for Jenny in Chicago). Needless to say I'm quite flattered.




Even if it didn't have a photo of one of my frames I'd still recommend it. A nice inspiring little book, especially if your into engineering, design, aesthetics, and how they all relate. If you want a copy check out:
http://everydayengineeringbook.com/buy

at the races...

Didn't have the time (and I didn't put in enough miles on the bike to make it worthwhile) to do any cross racing this year. I do have this great cross bike I built, and I figured someone should race it. My friend Frank C. was racing on a Fuji touring frameset...which worked but wasn't ideal. He's about my size so I loaned my my frame. His standings improved on the new bike (I'd like to think it was the frame!) but it was more likely due to getting a few more races as this was his first season racing. Hopefully I'll be able to get more of my frames out there next season, until then enjoy some photos of Frank:

Cool frames in the shop

Couple of cool frames in the shop this week.

Reynolds 953 frame #1 is back in the shop for some fenders,custom racks, and a Brooks saddle w/copper to match the copper highlights on the frame:









A really cute and tiny Richard Sachs frame came in today for a rear triangle re-spacing:

On the fixed gear gallery again...

...and this time its my new bike!

http://fixedgeargallery.com/2007/dec/2/JonKendziera.htm

Squid and hammerhead stem in Bicycling Magazine

The December issue of Bicycling Magazine has page about Squid, and he's riding one of our Hammerhead Stems...



http://cyclehawk.com/

Welded frames now available!

The project took a bit longer than expected...but its done:

TIG welded Jonny Cycles track frames - A lower cost/less waiting alternative to the standard lugged Jonny Cycles track frame. Check it out:

http://jonnycycles.com/TIGtrack.html

COG magazine article

The first issue of COG magazine is available. Out of Milwaukee COG is a visual journal captured from behind the bars of city bikers and messengers around the world.

http://www.cogmagazine.com/

Issue #1 has an article about Jonny Cycles, check it out -

http://www.cogmag.com/01/jonny-cycles.html

Fun frame modification and re-paint

Awhile back Glen brought his old Trek touring bike into the shop. He wanted it to work with 700c wheels and modern components, so we did the modifications. For the re-paint we had Keith Anderson do the base coat, then send it back to Glen. Glen gave his two daughters some sharpies and let them draw on the panels, and sent the frame back to Keith. Keith cleared over everything and the end result is really nice...check it out, a truly unique bike!

Shop website

Our framebuilding shop now has its own site, check it out -

http://madisonframebuilders.com/

A collection of photos and links to our sites (hit refresh for new photos).

Twin plate fork for one less car

Awhile back Cole from One Less Car http://www.1lesscar.com/ asked me to make him a fork for a track frame of his. It took awhile...but its finally done.

I sent it off to Keith Anderson for paint with the vague instructions that it should be white with some sort of black and white checkers on one leg. Here is the result -

Finally....my frame end collection is complete!

Received a batch of frame ends today - vertical road ends and fork ends.





My Jonny Cycles frame end collection is now complete and I'll now be using my ends on all frames. Track, horizontal road, vertical road, and fork ends. All have stainless faces and accept stainless M5 bottle mounts for rack/fender mounts.

Reynolds 953

I've finally finished a Reynolds 953 frameset. I made a light touring frameset for my friend (and owner of Jonny Cycles #2) Kevin in Sacramento. It turned out quite nice, check it out - http://jonnycycles.com/roadpix8.html

The 953 tubing is light stuff, although really you can get pretty close with the less expensive and easier to work with True Temper S3 (its within a few grams). So if you want a light frame I'd prefer to use normal (non-stainless) tubing, but if you want a light and shiny frame 953 is a good way to go...since the only other option is chrome.

Since it's expensive material, difficult to work with, and time consuming to finish it makes for an expensive frame. If you want an un-painted Reynolds 953 version of one of my frames I'll do it for and extra $550.

Jonny Cycles on the Fixed Gear Gallery

Chris' bike just went up on the gallery today, check it out:

http://fixedgeargallery.com/2007/aug/4/ChristopherSims.htm

Here is the full list of Jonny Cycles on the gallery -

http://fixedgeargallery.com/2007/july/1/GregJohnson.htm
http://fixedgeargallery.com/2007/apr/ChristopherWright.htm I didn't have anything to do with the frame, but check out that stem!
http://fixedgeargallery.com/2007/apr/LinwoodHines_3.htm
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2007/feb/TrevorAsh.htm
http://fixedgeargallery.com/2006/dec/JulieEisenhardt.htm
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2006/may/EricMatthies_2.htm
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2006/apr/Jasanch_aol.htm
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/dec/IvanVoronec.htm
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/aug/JennyComiskey.htm
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/e/jonny.htm
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/aug/PhilSieg.htm

Fun stem...

Matthew in Chicago wanted a stem that he could mount his Rohloff twist grip shifter to, so I made him this custom threadless stem with an add on appendage for the shifter.

Sept 1st alleycat

After-party at the shop.

Bike weekend!

Not to be missed this weekend:

This Friday (8/24) @ 7pm Thunder Quarry. Kid's bikes + rock quarry....for sure to be fun.
http://kittenfactory.blogspot.com/
FYI, quarry park is behind Whole Foods on University

This Sunday (8/26): Cookout at our shop 4pm, followed by ThunderTAB at the abandoned building (you know behine Olbrich)
....same link -
http://kittenfactory.blogspot.com/