Current Work
The new look
After many hours of thinking, drawing, talking, computing, calling and who knows what else the new drop out is finally here. These are the steel version which were sent so I can proof them and see if there are any issues before getting a run of titanium ones made. Big huge props to both Peter Verdone and Ricky at Cantabridgian Mechanics. Peter did a killer job with the design work and Ricky and the folks in his shop did a great job with the machine work. OK enough talking here they are.
This is a bike I am making to see which way I want to construct the steel bikes. I might opt to build them with constant diameter stays the same as a titanium bike. It was designed and optimized for ti and the tapered stays will require a bit of material removal to get the look to flow.
The curved top tube was by chance. This rider needs more stand over to run 100mm of travel. I think it helps add to the bridge like look.
Last but not least here is the start of the tandem I will build in 2012. All I can say is it is a crazy cool bike and everyone should come to NAHBS in Denver to see what it is all about.
One more note. The plan is to have the open house on December 14th. That is a Friday. Next post will have more info on that.
Cheers,
Drew
Shop renovations
October 2012 will go down as the worst month in my 40 years on this planet. November 2012 needed to be way better to offset how crappy October was. That prompted the start of the scheduled renovation. 500 sq. ft. of space added and tons of moving stuff around and organizing the shop to have a better flow.
It started two weeks to the day and was really kick started by a visit from Simon Firth for a day of help. Having three people on the job is really important when framing out a 12 ft.+ high ceiling. Then the next two weeks were Dan, Ed and myself chugging away at the project. Trips to metal scrap and the salvage yard, endless trips to Home Depot, the plumbing supply store and all kinds of other random stores. The end result was without a doubt worth it! Shoulder room is not something I am familiar with but it is a very welcome change. Enough writing, here are some pictures:
Today I finished Jake's new bike. It is the first bike that got the start to finish treatment in the shop. First frame done in the blast cabinet:
This photo is just because I love my son and think he is cute:
Thanks for reading. I promise to be back on track now that the worst month ever is done and the renovation is almost complete.
-drew
Update
So I knew it was last minute but figured I would still try. The open house idea is postponed til somewhere between Thanksgiving and New Years. I am leaning towards the first week in December. Well before the holidays but after Thanksgiving. I will put it up in the news maybe next week once it is finalized. Plus the extension should be done by then so the shop will look better and not as turned upside down.
This is Kirk's new cross bike. It has the Parabox braking system which IMO is really cool. The brakes feel amazing and worth having the hydraulics below the stem. They feel just as smooth as full hydro brakes. They are what we called ninetyraulics. That is when 90% of the system is hydraulic and 10% is run by the cable.
I also started Eric's 29R but have not had any photos posted yet. Tomorrow I will update that set.
Here is a before shot of the extension ( I won't show you how much junk was in there before it was empty):
Hopefully in a few weeks it will be full and the blast cabinet will be running!
Hard to believe it snowed this weekend last year. Yesterday was amazing weather.
Cheers,
Drew
Open House???
So this weekend is the Philly Bike Expo. It is the 3rd year for the event and has turned out to be a cool event with all things bike related. It is more like the Seattle Expo than a handmade bicycle show. This is good since I can not really handle doing more than one show per year and the North American Handmade Bicycle Show is what I have opted to do. This being a local show means most people already know I exist and are welcome to visit the shop whenever they want. Speaking of visiting how do people feel about an open house?
If this Friday the shop was open to all guests would people attend? Should it be during the day or at night? Should I have food or just beverages? Is it even worth the effort? I figure some visiting framebuilders would like the opportunity to make a visit and break up the monotony of setting up a booth. Feel free to drop me a line if this is something you would like to happen.
Thanks for reading.
Cheers,
Drew
Comments
Philly Bike Expo
Drew, I think it's a very big mistake by not being at the show. It gets a little bigger each year and receives national attention on many bicycle websites and blogs as well. It would be nice to show off your wares (besides NAHBS, where not everyone local can make it to) and help keep the show that much more interesting!
Represent Philly!
D
Philly Expo
I understand what you are saying but I just can not make it work with the limited time I have available. I am giving a seminar and that is my contribution to the weekend.
Cheers,
Drew
I was not aware of that. Tis'
I was not aware of that. Tis' a nice surprise!
See you there tomorrow!
Zen
Open House?
sounds cool, I know I can always stop by and check out what you are working on, but this sounds fun! Just for indie folks? Hope to see you soon!