A returning customer, Merle bought the Pro Shop cross frame. It is a perfect fit and was exactly what he was looking for. He wants it for wet road riding and a little exploring off the beaten bath. He’s building it with Sram Force, we’ll put on Paul brakes and an Easton fork. I’ll post pictures of it once it’s ready to go.

We have a ton of cool old cycling posters accumulated over the years that Loretta decided to start hanging around the shop. We have so many things to hang I don’t think there is gong to be a bare space on the walls when she’s done. I like the color and liveliness they offer. We go out of our way to make our work environment as nice as we can. I worked for many years in  a “shop” atmosphere and decided I spend far to much time here to spend it in a dirty space with stark white walls.

Yesterday was a good start to the week. I have three titanium frames on deck. I’m currently working on Holly E’s frame. It’s a “All Rounder” that will be used primarily for commuting along with some serious road riding. We’re building it with Ultegra 6700 and it will have two sets of wheels, one for general use and another pair for faster rides. I should finish building it today. Loretta will get it finished and apply the graphics and Bill will be in to assemble tomorrow. Next on the list is a Butted titanium for Ned. It will be assembled with Red and a host of light stuff. One of our goals on this bike will be to keep the weight to a minimum. I expect it to come in under the 16 pound mark and that should be without any strength or durability compromises. After that, Rob S of NY. Rob’s frame is a nice titanium “Stage Race” frame, clean and simple and to the point.

I have one titanium frame and two steel frames to ship today. I got three steel back from Spectrum Friday. Each is a custom color with custom decals. They all look great! One is the steel cross frame I said I’d post to sell at a discounted price. I’ll be selling the cross frame for $1200. Regular price would be $1800. It’s a Custom Blend steel with  S-bend Chainstays and Seatstays. It’s Grey with a Candy Green Downtube decal and Navy outlines.  It has fender mounts and bottle pickups so that it can be used as a Dirt Road bike and with fenders would be great for Spring and Fall riding. It was built as a demonstration and is brand new and in perfect condition. The Design is below. Please contact me with any questions.

Tomorrow I’ll be out of the shop.  I’m going to shoot over to Seattle for a couple days for my parents 50th wedding anniversary. Anyone that is currently working with me (except Kurt whom I’ll contact this morning) on their frame design will be hearing from me next Friday instead. I’ll be back in the shop first thing on Monday morning.

So, this week has been busy week. I’ve been tying up loose ends on five frame/bikes that are shipping this week. Andreas went out yesterday along with the Ti cross frame from the Pro Shop, which got a new home in Hood River OR. Also Patty K. picked up her pink dirt road bike. I’ll be boxing up Joe’s beautiful white Extralite steel frame that we just put on our road gallery and Tom P’s titanium 29er gets a final finish and goes out today as well.

For those interested in a good deal on a cross frame, keep your eyes open next week. I’ll be posting a new sale frame on the Pro Shop. It’s a 57cm Custom Blend steel cross frame. It’s got a very cool paint job too. I built it when working with John Caletti a couple weeks ago to demonstrate certain process’s. I’ll post specs and pics as soon as it’s back from Spectrum.

Next week I’ll be finishing a titanium frame for Holly and starting a double butted titanium frame for Ned H. Things are moving along very smoothly. I like that.

Butted titanium frames can be pretty light. An average size and stiffness road frame weighs about 2.5 pounds. Here is a frame I just finished up for Dominic. It weighs 4.5 pounds including the fork, headset, spacers, stem, post and clamp. Not bad.