Sunday, July 25, 2010

Factory Works Racer 2


Black Cat's hotshot racer, Greg Martin, asked for two bikes in his campaign for glory this year. He ended up with a "regular" Black Cat (short stays, snappy handling) and this, something a bit more subdued for the 24 hour style racing he does.


On this frame we stiffened up the front end and over sized the head tube to allow one of those new fangled forks with a tapered steerer using Cane Creek's new headset. Slightly longer, and more comfortable chain and seat stays will give his mind and muscles a break at hour 23.


Ample clearance for tires, mud, sticks, broken spokes, or anything else one might encounter in a 24 hour grovelfest. I'm usually loathe to make a bicycle that is so specific, but since he's got a frame that takes care of the usual duties, and because he does do so many extended days (and nights) in the saddle, I figured I'd make Greg a bike that lets him do what he does, and get out of the way. Good luck Greg.


There are many dichotomies present in building bicycle frames. Finding swoopy, flowing, eye pleasing lines for a frame, but keeping the results to tolerances measured in thousandths of an inch. Finding an aesthetic that is yours but allows for seamlessly mating others' components. Etc, etc, etc...


I like to explore these dualities in paint. Rigid, hard lines requiring some technical savvy, juxtaposed next to something that seems to happen more spontaneously. Somehow the parts that seem to be the most "natural" are the hardest to pull off.

It's fun to try and walk that line.


This last Wednesday night, the Obits
and the Night Marchers played. These guys,
ladies and gentlemen, know how to write
good rock and roll music, no doubt.It was a
Wednesday night and the crowd was well,
a crowd on Wednesday night. Too bad, as
the potential for greatness with those present
was through the roof. I, personally, have
witnessed greatness involving these same people.
I could start an entire weblog devoted
to the greatness stemming from the San Diego
punk scene. Thinking about it, I could
start a weblog for each band individually,
there is so much greatness.
I won't so I'll have something for future
posts, though.

I will mention Drive Like Jehu.
Members of each of the above bands were involved
and the results were above and beyond
what would be fair to compare anything else to what
those people did in the past, or will do in the future.
Too many good ones to list, but here's some favorites.
I was lucky enough to see the greatness in person
several times. That sparkly silver Les Paul mesmerized
me. Shrieking and squealing one second, belting out
some of most unlikely catchy loud chords the next.
I don't care what you say, Danny, Yank Crime's (the second
album of two) ten minute long songs are brilliant,
and wonderfully loud.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

White on White


One of my favorite painters has always been Jasper Johns, so i was very happy to tip the hat to Jasper for Julio Rodriguez, in Austin, Texas. Julio wanted something that suggested a watermark.



Word of the day is: subtle.




I don't do a very good job of brand identifying via logo recognition (or sometimes logo visibility for that matter). It's a bit more interesting to change it up. After a run of logo stencils is used up, its kinda nice to retire that font. Everybody goes through fazes, right?





The translucent squares overlapping was Julio's idea. It took a couple tries to get it right, but in the end came out rather splendid. Thanks Julio.


White finishes are pretty hard on fillet brazers. It's the color that shows everything. No place to hide. The most minor flaw in the sanding can result in a shadow that immediately draws the eye. Gotta be on your game when you're finishing a bike that'll be painted white.



Hey gang, are y'all interested in the music I post here at all? Not that I would stop if you weren't. This post's pick is My Bloody Valentine. My favorite, by far, of the "shoegazer" bands of the early nineties. I listened to Loveless a lot back then and continue to these days. Not exactly subtle, mind you, but there are so many layers to the music that it almost becomes nuanced noise. Does that make sense?
Here and here are couple videos with reasonable audio. "Reasonable audio" may not be the word for it... for some folks out there.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Summertime Lime


I'm never quite sure what to say to you, dear reader. Pretty sure you're not here to read a blow by blow account of each and every build. It's really pretty boring. I had a friend, Brian, hanging out in the shop, taking some pictures. He asked several times over the course of the week, "When are you going to do something interesting?"

Good question.


The bikes I've been making the most of may all look very similar at first glance.
When designing them, however, everything is definitely specific to the person riding the bike.
From body measurements, to where they live and what their hometown roads and trails consist of. Everything is a one-off. No cookie cutters here.


I'm trying to keep things interesting for each and every bike. Hopefully its interesting for y'all.


Kyle Ness will be getting his hands on this just as his shoulder relocates.


Remember kids: Skate and Destroy

How about some Two Gallants?
How about some more?

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Calico Cat


Jon Lewis has been waiting patiently for his new bike.


Head badge and paint scheme to match a favorite cat.
I'd say that cat has good taste in colors.



He's getting a 29er one speed with the swinging single dropouts and a curvy seat tube to keep the chain stays as short as 16 1/2 inches.


My terrible taste in music seems to wander. Some days it's all metal.
Some days it's more deliberate and quiet.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Factory Works Racer

This frame is off to Greg Martin, Black Cat's hot shot factory racer.


We kept the color scheme simple so Greg's riding could do the talking.







Torche's Meanderthal has been played a lot as of late.
Here's live, and here's slick production of the same song.
They're worth a look if you're not aware of them already.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Gato Blanco De Los Camino

Check out my ghetto-fabulous photo studio!
Only the finest oil stained canvas drop cloth for you folks.
So pro.


Carbon fiber top tube and seat tube/mast. Steel lugs.
It was harder than it sounds. More nerve wracking, too.

Press Fit 30! The only oversize bb platform worth fussing over.
The rest are marketing hype without the promised benefits.
Stiffness ain't worth a hill of beans if you have to pedal through constantly roached bearings.


15 pounds as you see it here.

Let's here it for The Thermals!

Monday, March 22, 2010

rOADBIKE.

I'm running out of clever quips for titles, people. Times is tough.

This bike made it out to Richmond, VA, for the Fancy Bike Show. It was probably the most subdued item in the hall. It was made for Jen, and she likes it that way.


I particularly like the chain stays. Flattened in some directions, squooshed in others, and swooped in others still.



The wood paneling looks all rumpus room-y.
Too bad no polar bear skin rug to really make this one pop.

Sugar.
Actually, anything with Bob Mould.
dig.