Hi,

I got around to taking pictures for your gallery. It took a little while to get together all the parts I needed to build out; but we took our time and did a good job.

The bike has all of the characteristics I was hoping for. From the first ride, it is a comfortable ride and a great fit. I didn't want to sacrifice the responsiveness of the bike and I am very please. Once you put the pressure to the pedals, the bike reacts. Also, the finishing work makes it an outstanding bike. The black powder coat is very smooth and sets off very nicely with the gloss paint used to set off the Strong name. I am looking forward to riding the bike for years.

Thanks
Kevin

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)

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.

First ride on the Ti CX bike today. It's everything that I hoped it would be. Super sweet ride!
Here's a few pics for the gallery. Big thanks to Chad at College Cyclery in Reno for the awesome build up and Wayne for gluing on the red Tufos. Chad told me the Hand Built Bicycle Show is coming to Sacramento next year. I hope to get down there and meet you in person.