That's a great quote Eric. Nice to see they got a good one in there.
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That's a great quote Eric. Nice to see they got a good one in there.
The Rouge Valley Messenger wrote a little preview piece for this years Southern Oregon Custom Classic, an art opening that combines painting, tattoos and bikes.
Not Your Pop's Tattooed Bikers
http://roguevalleymessenger.com/site...%2019%20AM.jpg
Out with the old-
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8039/7...abf4ef0a_z.jpg
In with the new-
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8296/7...998ef219_z.jpg
Hammer time-
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8313/7...3a9853cd_c.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/7...ba0979bd_c.jpg
The car is packed, and I'm headed down to the SOCC (see above) in Grants Pass. Should be a fun time.
I've just uploaded a series of photos for the "Wanderer" frame set. This 650b all roads bike was photographed by Mark Dawson at last years NAHBS. It also took home "Best Randonee/ Touring" at the last Bespoked in Bristol.
Gallery Link
http://www.winterbicycles.com/wp-con...ycles-7200.jpg
After taking some time to get the shop up and running I am finally back at work. The shop isn't "done", but its usable enough to help me catch up. Thanks to all of my clients for their patience during the move.
In addition to the projects on the board, I have a hankering to build a few Japanese styled classic lugged bikes, but with a Winter flair. If you are interested, hit me up and we can discuss some details.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8304/7...b8fdb6fd_c.jpg
Love your work and aesthetic, Eric. For the uninitiated (such as myself), what constitutes a japanese-style lugged bike?
In this particular case I mean bikes with a similar lug cut to the Nagasawas, 3Renshos and Kalavinkas of the 80's/ 90's. I think of Japanese bikes from that time as Italian inspired, but where lug cuts started to have a more regional flavor.
Cinelli lugs (here on a Dazzan)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2534/...08b2ed9d_o.jpg
3Rensho lug
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5MuRWgUYvE...s1600/tex2.jpg
A Winter take based on the 3Rnsho
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6...eb04a113_z.jpg
For these bikes I am specifically interested in building some sporty frames in classic tube dimensions with a Japanese inspired "feel". I'm pretty open to the "type" of bike (road/ rando, etc) based on what folks want to use them for. I really enjoy refining these lugs into something very clean, without being overly carved or ornate.
A few months ago I was contacted by a gentleman with a very sad CSI. It had a pretty mangled top tube, and a nice seat tube dent from clamping. It was his hope to bring it back, but also to have it reworked to fit longer reach brakes, take fenders, and while we were at it, allow for a disc brake upgrade.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8286/7...b8e2c2cb_z.jpg
Sad tube:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/7...3a9182a4_z.jpg
Getting to it:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8308/7...40eae168_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8302/7...74144058_z.jpg
New tube:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/7...32f72d06_z.jpg
Brake and fender provisions:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8299/7...ff2aed20_z.jpg
New fork, with scallops to match the stay treatment on the frame:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8421/7...326ffd6a_z.jpg
Disc ready:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8442/7...15d73c53_z.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7...86a0aa94_z.jpg
Fender check:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7269/7...c14cf80b_z.jpg
I was asked for a fun green- this seemed like a nice option:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8032/7...24fda0e2_z.jpg
Add some decals, and it's ready to roll!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8439/8...744a3ffd_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8036/8...b3d994e0_z.jpg
The full repair set can be found here.
THAT turned out HOTT Eric. Nice work!
From the field:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/8...8e0a458a_z.jpg
I was just sent this photo and note- this stuff makes my day.
"I thought you might enjoy this photo of the guides on my present cyclo-vacation who are (now) fans of your work. You may recognize one of them!...I'm on the Cinghiale (Hampsten) tour in Tuscany... The bike has been sublime. Thank you. "
Thank you! I'm glad to hear you are enjoying it.
Attachment 46575I finally got your letter - I think it had an adventure.
The check clogged the gizmo at the bank!
Do you like the Prestige HT's?
- Garro.
Yep- they landed. Sounds like they took a more direct trip! Considering the huge volume of in coming and outgoing post from the shop, I'm still constantly amazed. I got a shipment to my door from Taiwan in three days- including packing it and getting it through customs!
Hurt magnet:
So the other day I discovered I had cut my finger by rubbing flux in it.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8461/8...e3e11995_z.jpg
Not one to leave well enough alone, I spent the day rubbing brass dust into it while working on some fillets.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/8...780326af_z.jpg
Why stop there? Since I was on a roll I figured I might as well burn in a rack tab:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8460/8...7f328631_z.jpg
I'm a little scared to see what tomorrow escalates with...
A little of topic...
Yesterday I met with Jaesy-Jay Anderson, Olympic Gold medalist, board builder, and overall nice guy. He was training and testing with his team up at Hood. I emailed him a bit before the trip tire kicking, and we got to talking about the boards. As luck would have it, I was heading north for some work when he had some time to kill after dropping team mates at the airport.
We met up in PDX and ended up talking for a little over 3 hours. We both build high end niche sporting equipment- it was really fun to geek out not only on the boards, but the business side of things. There are quite a few parallels with what we do- tailoring the specifics of the product to the rider and their uses, personality and tastes. Real nice guy, and very excited about what he's doing. It felt quite a bit like being on the other side of a conversation I have with my clients.
After about 2 hours we both though we were done, and I got in the truck. After another hour of chatting (I got out of the truck) with the lights on I ended up getting a WC winning jump start. What a goofball.
I picked up a very cool slalom board- check out his stuff if you are in the need for new race or freeride gear.
http://blu.stb.s-msn.com/i/8A/547479...D943F69C18.jpg
I've just updated a new web gallery for the http://www.winterbicycles.com/galler...icycles/1918-2. The "1918" is a modern reinterpretation of a classic Columbia Military Model as ordered by the US government during WWI.
http://www.winterbicycles.com/wp-con...-bike-1918.jpg
http://www.winterbicycles.com/wp-con...latgreen01.jpg
I tried to keep it very close to the spirit of the original while updating the fit (much smaller) the brakes (two hand activated drum brakes from a single rear coaster) and the shifting (5 speed internal from the originals single speed). The internal cables and stem shifter help preserve the original profile. The front drum brake bracket is integrate into the fork to appear seamless, while the rear is a chrome strap- a detail you can see in the original catalog advert.
A fun detail are the inset pennies-one from 1914, and one from 1918. These were supplied by the client and bracket the war.
http://www.winterbicycles.com/wp-con...latgreen10.jpg
Many of my bikes are made with a nod to the past. Some, like the M1918R, are made with specific historic reference. I have recently added a subcategory on the web site where I will be adding bikes made in these Historic Patterns.
Thanks! We have a 1914 and a 1918 on there, dates up.
This might be a dumb question, but what was the original purpose of the double top tube?
Not at all- I've answered that one a bunch at the show.
Bike tubes in 1918 were crappy. The only thing crappier where the "roads". Two top tubes helped (to varied degrees) keep it bike shaped, especially loaded.
Now, with modern materials, it's because it looks so damn cool.
That's what I thought, thanks Eric!
I sent an inquiry to a client re: paint direction.
His response and today's Awesome Customer Interaction of the Day-
"I certainly am not going to distract you by trying to get paint-specific; do your art, man."
I'm on it.
And in another installment of Awesome Customer Interaction of the Day-
A client recently returned from a guided tour in Italy. Of his guides discussing his Winter:
"They often spoke in Italian, so I couldn't understand much of what they were saying, but the word 'elegante' was unmistakable."
As luck would have it, I got a little note from the guide in question mentioned above.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/8...746684cc_z.jpg
A few in process:
22.0/ 26.0 for a Herse-
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8047/8...e4359e97_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8467/8...7553b9ec_z.jpg
A theadless open face stem with bell mount, custom lugs and a one off tall riser. All conceived as part of a travel set up for a Columbine-
Build it once:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8...7c9a01ff_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8...e1b34b70_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8335/8...db81ec76_z.jpg
Build it twice:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8188/8...5144ac8f_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8...d9d3b60e_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8327/8...f3c77c9e_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8473/8...9b0865c5_z.jpg
The pair:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8...34c0ccd4_z.jpg
Hi Eric, looks like you are building some beautiful stems. Do you like threadless or quill stems better, functionally for a bike, and also from builder's perspective? With other things being equal, how much difference in weight when you factor in the steerer tube, spacers, and quill clamp bolt etc? A custom quill with faceplate seems to offer the minimal hassel of adjustment in height and changing out bars.
Thanks- I do enjoy them, and it's a pleasure to help people "finish" their special bikes.
So long as the variables are accounted for, I don't have a threaded/ thread less preference for typical range road bikes. Fit is fit, and I can take care of the rest of the parts interface.
If there is no functional driver and if a client has no preference I'll defer to what I think will look best. For my own bikes and the bikes I build my wife we seem to have a reasonably even split.
The stems are made in small groupings. I recently purchased a Sputnik stem fixture which arrived ready for thread less, so I built a bunch of thread less. The quill block landed and I am working through a little back log of quill style.
I am happy to build open face plate stems when people ask for them or need them (some wing style bars, some carbon bars), but in that case I do have a preference for single bolt faces given a choice. I think they look better (especially from the saddle) and I'm not convinced open faces save a ton of time in typical bar change outs. If you are swapping bars you need to unwrap the bar tape and take off the levers- the open face plate just means you do this after you pull the stem instead of before. I don't think there is a real clock advantage there. Now for straight bar displacement, such as for travel, then I think they can be great (as above).
Re: weight- I honestly have no idea. I don't have a scale in the shop. The stems I build are all steel, so they are not gram pinchers anyway. Within that there is a fairly overwhelming sea of variation it's pretty hard to say. For a given 1:1 thread less to threaded "design swap" (same reach, etc) I would guess the quill would be heavier, but not in any way I would notice while pushing the pedals.
This week I've been working on stems for a Columbine, a Herse, a Sachs and a Rhygin. Pretty good company to keep! One of these days I should make a list- it would be interesting to know all of the bikes they have been matched with. Today I got the lions share of the last two worked on, hopefully tomorrow I can get those finished up. Process shots will be on flickr, and I'll try to get something over here, too.
Thanks!
A little bit of love-
Every now and again one of my bikes hits the blog circuit and gets passed around. Recently, the 1918 has been on a bit of a loop.
Soma Fab
GBlog
Artigianeide (in Italian I believe)
Prolly is not probably
Cycle Exif
Bike Rumor
Let me know if you find more- it's always interesting to me which bikes people at large relate to. I just wrapped up another photo shoot with this one for a local sporting wear and US goods company, and people were stopping on the street to look at the bike. Not bad fr a "simple" machine.
Speaking of photos- big thanks to Anthony Bareno of Velo Cult who shot these for me. He also has photos and video from the Oregon show he has recently posted.
http://vimeo.com/52664051
In this weeks FNL I showed two more stems, one for a Sachs, and another for a Rhygin.
I've also started to batch a few items for a run of bikes for Box Dog Bikes in SF.
To make life easier I made a few new items-
My new fender mounts- (special thanks to Curtis Odom for translating my napkin sketch into a CAD rendering)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8476/8...d8519827_z.jpg
A bender/ trim calibrator-
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/8...79e8b720_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8060/8...cf13c767_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8058/8...079edf7f_z.jpg
Never throw anything away! A dead hacksaw blade as a lowrider marker-
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/8...3e8cb88a_z.jpg
Consistency check/ length tool:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8342/8...de3c7127_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8...06c80eb3_z.jpg
The yield-
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8...bb09ec98_z.jpg
My last couple of updates have shown some of the progress I've been making on the Box Dog Bikes "Pelican" rando frames. This morning I picked them up from the powder coater, did the final prep (chased 114 M5's!) and boxed them up. Tomorrow I will be delivering them to the shop. The good folks at Box Dog will be hosting a little meet and greet get together starting at the shop at 7:30. I hope to see you there!
These are the first unfiled bikes I've put my name on, and the first I've done in a number of years. I'm really excited about how they have turned out. In addition to the raw main fillets the bikes are almost entirely "from the torch".
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8199/8...89168e1f_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8...a2d14b79_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8...eecb032b_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8...bbf18292_z.jpg
If you are in SF tomorrow night, swing by and say hello and check em out in person.
Eric,
I was looking through your gallery today. I'm wondering if you'd be willing to talk a little about this fork:
http://winterbicycles.com/wp-content...ks/forks29.jpg
Thanks
Sure- that was a composite road fork I made for my Oregon Manifest bike a couple of years ago. That frame had my bilam head tube, and some bilam work at the BB shell and drop outs. This seemed like a nice compliment. The whole bike had a tongue-in-cheek devils advocate/ devil theme going on, and the wicked points really played into it.
I don't do as much of the wild carving anymore, but I'm happy to do it if it works with someones bike. It's a load of fun, and can really be striking for certain projects.
Let me know if there was anything specific you were interested in with it.
Would you mind sharing more pictures of bike + fork?
It's been a while since I've been so interested in a fork's construction.
Sure-
Here are some shots of the completed bike, and the construction set.
http://www.winterbicycles.com/wp-con...-road/om04.jpg
A couple of fun stems- several for forum members:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8...55ee7695_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8...33213cd2_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8068/8...3ef2b138_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8...d4d671c2_z.jpg
Oh, I'd take one:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8205/8...317c90fd_c.jpg
Gabe's Pelican by boxdogbikes, on Flickr