Richard Sachs Cycles

[jerk]

richard-
you employ"traditional handbuilding methods"....how have your bikes evolved in relation to changes in components, threadless headsets, shallow bars, 8 degree stems, etc. etc,... i look at modern race bikes and see that for the most part people sit on a racing bike the same way- but the bikes are dramatically different....how do you keep metal bikes relevant and competitive at the highest level of sport in a plastic world?
thanks!
craig

[e-RICHIE]

richard-
you employ"traditional handbuilding methods"....how have your bikes evolved in relation to changes in components, threadless headsets, shallow bars, 8 degree stems, etc. etc,... i look at modern race bikes and see that for the most part people sit on a racing bike the same way- but the bikes are dramatically different....how do you keep metal bikes relevant and competitive at the highest level of sport in a plastic world?
thanks!
craig

.....

[Carl S]

Hi Richard, thanks for doing SO. At the risk of sounding like a kiss ass I'd have to say that you were one of the inspirations that led me to pursue this craft and make it my trade.

If you had to distill your experiences in framebuilding into a single piece of advice for us younger builders, what would it be?

[e-RICHIE]

Hi Richard, thanks for doing SO. At the risk of sounding like a kiss ass I'd have to say that you were one of the inspirations that led me to pursue this craft and make it my trade.

If you had to distill your experiences in framebuilding into a single piece of advice for us younger builders, what would it be?

whoa atmo i am embarrassed to admit that i absolutely missed this post and apologize that it went unanswered.
here's a reply straight from the hip -
make what you use.
use what you know.
know what you use.
sell what you use.
and never look up to see what anyone else is doing.
no matter how wide the net is cast, all that matters is what you think.
if you ever second guess yourself, pause until you don't atmo.

[Dave Anderson]

whoa atmo i am embarrassed to admit that i absolutely missed this post and apologize that it went unanswered.
here's a reply straight from the hip -
make what you use.
use what you know.
know what you use.
sell what you use.
and never look up to see what anyone else is doing.
no matter how wide the net is cast, all that matters is what you think.
if you ever second guess yourself, pause until you don't.

Damn!....someone put that on a poster please....

[edoz]

Damn!....someone put that on a poster please....

I printed it and taped it on my shop wall.

[anthonymaietta]

make what you use.

I think this is what makes the made-to-measure, bespoke, custom, tailored framebuilding scene so awesome. Different framebuilders across the world living in different geographical areas all enjoying completely different types of bicycle riding and bringing a different perspective/expertise from their experiences.

[Gregory Townsend]

whoa atmo i am embarrassed to admit that i absolutely missed this post and apologize that it went unanswered.
here's a reply straight from the hip -
make what you use.
use what you know.
know what you use.
sell what you use.
and never look up to see what anyone else is doing.
no matter how wide the net is cast, all that matters is what you think.
if you ever second guess yourself, pause until you don't atmo.

Hey Richie,
I must admit to feeling more than a bit dense when reading your communications but for some reason this hits home.

Grazie mille for the support & encouragement.

Greg

[e-RICHIE]

Hey Richie,
I must admit to feeling more than a bit dense when reading your communications but for some reason this hits home.

Grazie mille for the support & encouragement.

Greg

high five atmo.

[DCT]

just found this on my desktop computer. pretty cool

[DCT]

richard - when is the next team event?

[jerk]

.....

rawesome answer!!!!!!

[ron l edmiston]

richard,

in motor sports, team owners maintain/pursue three avenues for sponsorship/support --- outa pocket, product/component & $'s ...
do you as a cx team owner/rider have a criteria for/or formula goal each year...

ronnie

[e-RICHIE]

richard,

in motor sports, team owners maintain/pursue three avenues for sponsorship/support --- outa pocket, product/component & $'s ...
do you as a cx team owner/rider have a criteria for/or formula goal each year...

ronnie

yo ronnieissimo -

the rs 'cross team is just shy of being a full time gig (for me) requiring its own budget and attention span atmo. what started as a cousin to my road team sponsorship (which goes back to 1982) is now a stand alone program. by the mid 1990s i was sponsoring two teams and running one of them. by 1997 it was clear that 'cross was more fun, easier to manage, had a better impact on my company's bottom line, added more brand appeal to what i was doing at the bench, and was a better media buy (compared to road) for all the companies that were aligned with us. as time has passed, the line up has changed a bit, but the one thing that hasn't has been my ever increasing dedication to 'cross with each new season atmo. data point: nearly all my 'cross frames go to my team. my bread and butter remains the rs signature road frame/bicycle. clearly though, my sponsorship dollars go further in cyclocross than they ever did or would on the road.

the criteria include but are not limited to these: the team is only ever as large as i can manage a frame supply for, so to see 4-5 of us at a race is to see the entire program. it would make no sense to have a team with riders using other brands, no matter how good the results are. i keep the body count limited and reasonable. i also believe in that the team should be made of of like minded pals rather that mercenaries. i would never recruit or poach a rider from another program. to me, that's the lowest of the low, and i couldn't live with myself or within the short season if i bought or brought in a rider just for the results. everyone who has ever raced with us has either been a pal, a pal of a pal, or has sent over a resume and been invited to ride with us. re that last part: the invitation is only extended if 1) we have a space we need to fill, and 2) if the sender of it is already a pal or summer (road) team mate of one our supported 'crossers.

the budget for the rs 'cross team is multi-tiered. i supply all the frames and make these outside of normal shop hours so their assembly doesn't affect the work flow. i run the team, procure the sponsors and support system, and work tirelessly (boldface added for emphasis) reporting back to them so that i can rest easier knowing that they are aware of our weekly travails (i love that word travails) and sporting accomplishments. to me, nothing is more important that keeping the sponsors and suppliers in the loop and being available to them for any feedback, race results, weekend updates, and image gathering that will help justify their liaison with us atmo. we are very lucky to have many multi-season supporters and i want to keep it that way.

i also want to add this - while the rs 'cross team has a good following and a deep history at this point, it's still equal parts business and pleasure atmo. i began sponsoring teams in 1982 and have fielded one every year since. it's only in the last 12-13 seasons that it has become a brand onto itself. we've had the good fortune to have many great results and many more great team mates. owing to the money our sponsors give us and the equipment pool the industry supplies us with, and the motivation to excel that every rider we have ever had has possessed, the team has won 10 national championships since 1997, had at least a half dozen members race on the world's team, and has helped companies develop and/or market new components. but all of this would be for naught if it wasn't also fun. before each season begins, i map out the priorities for all the individuals who are even remotely part of our organization. we exist first and foremost to help our sponsors sell their products. we should all do whatever we can to help our team mates achieve their personal goals. and we should conduct all of this in a way so that we make memories, the kind of memories that are so rewarding that we'd look at every race and every weekend and every season and wish it would never end atmo.

[ron l edmiston]

ya coulda been a indy 500, formula one or grand national team owner & podium, as well as being the "scoutmaster" for troop # 1 ....

ronnie, along with others, have the good fortune to know "atmo," be a part of yo team & culture and ride a richie..

just a sayin,

ronnie

[savine]

Just gotta say your bit of writing on picfest 262 was spot on!

[e-RICHIE]

Just gotta say your bit of writing on picfest 262 was spot on!

Thanks atmo.

[e-RICHIE]

It's about staying stubborn in the belief that living your life the way it matters to you counts...

The Twenty-Year Sweater | Debra Paulson

[ron l edmiston]

[QUOTE=e-RICHIE;591515][SIZE=4]
[B][url=http://debrapaulson.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/the-twenty-year-sweater/]The Twenty-Year Sweater | Debra Paulson

------------------------------------------

---by/from a infinite lady..

ronnie

[timto]

these pics have inspired me to try a massive attack with the flux next time. I won't stop adding flux till it looks like the joint needs a shave...