Hi Carl, Loretta

Just a little something to show I haven't forgotten. Just wanted to let the ride really sink in before I responded.

Guess I'm not as hardcore as I thought I was, cos the frame's absolutely stiff, probably due to the chunky stays. In fact, they would seem a little harsher than my carbon Wilier.

Still there seems to be little to no road buzz, so that's still awesome.

Haven't gotten around to weighing the bike, but don't plan to.

Really love the bike, and I absolutely think that the NAHBS brochure was an awesome touch. I really don't know what to say.

Obviously everyone has a different perspective and expectation of their perfect bike. Number one of course are the ride qualities but the hand made details are also really important to me.I'm always impressed with Carl's workmanship and I admit I enjoy just looking at it even after I have owned it for more than a year.
As far as the ride is concerned I get a smile from the second I start out.It fits me perfectly and is totally comfortable. I climb faster and with less effort than I ever have and going down hill is unbelievable.For the long hauls the overused expression " the bike disappears under me" now makes sense to me.

There are a lot of fantastic hand made custom bikes out there but I truly can't see any way to be more satisfied,impressed, or excited than to get a custom bike from Carl and Loretta Strong.

(by the way I also own a Strong steel mountain bike)

Summer riding is over so I thought I would chime in for the owner's gallery. I expect there are a number of folks out there like me who have been on carbon and titanium wonder bikes, but miss that first nice steel bike they had. The bike that would take them everywhere fast and in comfort. A bike that when pointed downhill was calm and collected. That is what I wanted and Carl delivered it. The steel gives a smooth, yet springy, lively ride. The fit allows me to ride all day without my neck and shoulders aching. The geometry and build makes for a bike that has given me a lot of confidence when I descend so that going down hills is fun again. Thank-you Carl and Loretta. I am having a ball.

Hope your back is getting better. Wanted to pass on that I'd finally had an extended period of time on the Ti hardtail in proper mountains out in Utah. Short of it is the bike is great and is exactly what I was looking for. We built it up with the new 2×10 XTR and some Chris King wheels using Stan's Arch rims. Pretty much a bullet proof package that I expect to ride for the next couple decades.