Spectrum Cycles

[Tom Kellogg]

And here's the first one, on it's way to NAHBS.

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[Too Tall]

Dang that's hawt. HAHA love the sticker placement :)

[blue boy]

Sure ... BlueBoy blue?

Good guess!

[Tom Kellogg]

SPECTRUM is expanding (a little bit)

Spectrum Cycles | Frame Components

This does NOT represent a change in our business. We've always offered framebuilding stuff that is unique to us as a way of helping others make better frames. The difference now is that we have offered to give Kirk Pacenti a hand with an item that has historically been pretty low volume for him. His 22.2 O/S shell has been our Go-To shell for years ... ever since we helped him design it. We don't use it for everything (it isn't ideal for track frames) but for almost everything else, it is the best 22.0 round shell ever produced. The why and wherefore are discussed on our site.

Our conversion plugs and crown races make much better forks out of 1.0" crowns but they aren't for everyone. a) they are expensive and, b) a builder has to know his $hit, be really good at his $hit and have the proper machinery and skills to use them. Again, discussions on the site.

A few other items for discriminating builders there as well.

We are not "going into the business" of selling frame components, just offering some of the stuff that makes our frames good. Drop us a line if you'd like any of the stuff we offer.

[Tom Kellogg]

And here you go. Just click here Spectrum Cycles | Frame Components for a bit more information. If you want even more of the low-down poop. Email me and I'll send it off to you.

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[nixage]

Tom,

That Pump (and bike) is amazing. Love the work you guys do!

irfan

[ShockTreatment]

Tom,

Got my new piste set up, and it's great. The fit is right on, and I can't wait to get it on the track. I am curious about the unique seat lug and large diameter top tube. I figure they are related, but would be interested in hearing the reasons behind the design. Thanks to you and Jeff.

-Pete

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[Tom Kellogg]

Tom,

Got my new piste set up, and it's great. The fit is right on, and I can't wait to get it on the track. I am curious about the unique seat lug and large diameter top tube. I figure they are related, but would be interested in hearing the reasons behind the design. Thanks to you and Jeff.

-Pete

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Pete:

Thanks for the note. Massive top tube (although very thin wall) makes the front triangle much stiffer. Better control, more stable even though the front end is very quick. And the unusual seat lug simply makes that top tube possible with a standard size seat tube. This is one of the advantages of making our own lugs. We are not limited by the available lugs out there.

And, boy I guess we hit the fit, huh? Of course the matching stems are more important than any of that function stuff. Ride it in good health.

[blue boy]

Of course the matching stems are more important than any of that function stuff.

That's right Tom, "it's not how you ride but how you look" that's so important.

[Tom Kellogg]

We messed up. We had no idea our initial T-shirt offer would sell out about 12 hours after we got them in stock. We ordered seven dozen. And they are gone. So, what to do? We could simply order more just like the first ones from the printer, and we may do just that. But I wanted to throw out there that we could add some additional colors to see if there are any takers. The first print run were black with white graphics and sport grey with dark grey graphics. Obviously popular. We will add two other colors if there is interest. I’m thinking a heather pale green and a soft medium brown. Classy, not flashy.
What the T-shirts are:
U.S. union made, soft corespun cotton, slightly tailored, not “box cut” style.
Sizes: Mens’ XS - XXL
Original pen and ink Spectrum Seat Lug drawing by world famous bicycle artist George Retseck on the chest. Spectrum logo, name and location on back and my signature (just like on our frames) on the right sleeve.
We will be taking Pre-Orders for two weeks, ending on November 13th. This time, don’t lose out. Get that order in and don’t be left without one in each color. To Pre-Order, send an Email to [email protected] . Include your snail mail address and desired T-shirt quantity in each size and color you want. Once the order arrives here, we will send you a return Email for payment or you may send a payment when you make your Pre-order.
Payments: Personal checks preferred. Plastic (Visa, MC) is accepted but we charge a 3.5% fee to cover our bank CC fees.
Cost: 17.00 per shirt plus 5.00 shipping for each order. If you are local and want to pick up your shirts there will be no shipping charge. Questions: Email or shop phone: 610-398-1986.
Ps. Christmas, Hanukkah, etc. is coming up quick.

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[Tom Kellogg]

Pps. In order to clarify what the shirts actually look like, I have attached a second image of two shirts, front and back.

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[skouri1]

what about kits Tom? I bet those would sell out mighty fast too. You should go have a chat with Joni Taylor at the Philly Bike Expo. :)

[Tom Kellogg]

what about kits Tom? I bet those would sell out mighty fast too. You should go have a chat with Joni Taylor at the Philly Bike Expo. :)

We do get requests for kits and have done them in the past. Here's my thinking:
- Our previous kits, winter jackets, vests, etc. did just fine and were well received but after quite a few years, we do still have a few items left (most vest sizes, a few bibs, medium jerseys, a couple of long sleeve jerseys ..)

- The buy-in for a kit from a company that makes stuff we would feel proud selling is pretty steep. The issue is generally minimums and piece pricing. We could go with inexpensive stuff like Champion, etc. but we don't want our name on their clothing. If we go with the good stuff; Giordana, Castelli, etc, the minimums are killer for a two man shop like us.

- We could go with a direct order company like Vie13 or with Joni, but we can't control just what the clothing is since you guys would be doing your own ordering and only their top line is the really good stuff.

- And sizing is the biggest issue. As everyone knows, sizing is all over the place in this business. I don't want to have to deal with the inevitable misunderstandings, miss-orders and mistakes that will be sure to happen. With T-shirts, if I say that the shirts on offer are mens sizes, slightly tailored, there is a pretty good chance you will order appropriately. If we offer kits, it is a complete crap shoot unless you already have some kits from the company making the clothing.

- And finally, even this very simple t-shirt process has taken way too much of my time. Jeff and I are hammered here with orders, repairs and paint work. I had a conference call chat with my family last week and they even suggested that I hire some smart high school kid to run our merchandise efforts. Not a bad idea if we wanted to do more of this. But honestly, I want to concentrate on the bikes.

Sorry, but it will be limited to T-shirts for a while. We do plan on ordering for stock this time. Although that was the plan last time as well. Thanks for the question.

[Bewheels]

Not that I am encouraging taking focus off building bikes ... But socks are another easier piece of merchandise. Though any businesses I have run we would offer the equivalent to water bottles or occasional equivalent to a messenger bag. One size fits all. The mechandise can become a large distraction for smaller operations.

[Tom Kellogg]

Not that I am encouraging taking focus off building bikes ... But socks are another easier piece of merchandise. Though any businesses I have run we would offer the equivalent to water bottles or occasional equivalent to a messenger bag. One size fits all. The mechandise can become a large distraction for smaller operations.

Brian:

In fact, we do still have socks left in small and medium. And these are the ones that the UCI has banned. So now is your chance to sport illicit socks. Woo Hoo.

[dogrange]

- And finally, even this very simple t-shirt process has taken way too much of my time. Jeff and I are hammered here with orders, repairs and paint work. I had a conference call chat with my family last week and they even suggested that I hire some smart high school kid to run our merchandise efforts. Not a bad idea if we wanted to do more of this. But honestly, I want to concentrate on the bikes.

Glad to hear you guys are busy!

[Bewheels]

Brian:

In fact, we do still have socks left in small and medium. And these are the ones that the UCI has banned. So now is your chance to sport illicit socks. Woo Hoo.

If they were banded because they were too much of a competitive advantage, I will require extra extra extra large...

(I am sure there a great story behind your having socks that got band. Use of the rainbow stripes?)

[Tom Kellogg]

... socks that got band. Use of the rainbow stripes?)

You guessed it. Even though our frames have been ridden to at least 15 world championships, the rules (that no one ever paid attention to in the past) only let manufacturers use the world bands in the year after the WC was won. There is a lot more than that, but that is the basics.

[Saab2000]

You guessed it. Even though our frames have been ridden to at least 15 world championships, the rules (that no one ever paid attention to in the past) only let manufacturers use the world bands in the year after the WC was won. There is a lot more than that, but that is the basics.

That sucks! I fully expect your bikes at Ballers to be sporting the bands! Hope to see you in Philly this weekend!

My name is James Kile

[blue boy]

You guessed it. Even though our frames have been ridden to at least 15 world championships, the rules (that no one ever paid attention to in the past) only let manufacturers use the world bands in the year after the WC was won. There is a lot more than that, but that is the basics.

I wonder if Colnago meets those rules requirement.