Blue Lug in Tokyo asked me for a bar design to complement the Black Mountain Cycles frames. I recalled the feel of swept up and back motocross style bars favored by the early mountain bike pioneers. I recall working on a Lawill Pro-Cruiser with such a bar and thinking “this handlebar shape feels super comfortable.” […]
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Due to the overwhelming interest in the Mod. Zero frame, I feel a new model is needed to round out the Black Mountain Cycles frameset offerings. I’ve been knee deep in developing a new frame based on the Mod. Zero. The Mod. One will be completely designed with a look to the future of cycling. […]
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I probably don’t ask that enough. 2020 was a tough year and 2021 is no different. Challenging on many fronts – but mainly trying to learn to manage customer interactions when the science on how to deal with Covid-19 seemed to be constantly evolving. The one thing that was clear was “avoid people.” Kinda hard […]
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For me, 2020 was pretty much business as usual. Except not. And except for the fact that 2020 and the coronavirus pretty much destroyed people’s lives and the economy (no, the stock market is not reflective of the actual economy where people rely on jobs and small business). Within the bicycle industry, demand shot through […]
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I don’t place much stock in Yelp and the reviews. First, the name Yelp, while easily recognized and remembered, is a word with a negative connotation. A yelp is something that is unconsciously elicited when harm is done. A dog yelps when its tail is stepped on. A person might yelp when struck unexpectedly by […]
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Oof. When it rains, it pours. Just when we all are getting used to living with Covid-19, the Bay Area gets a massive punch to the gut in the form of lightning started fires. There are about a half-dozen incredibly destructive blazes on-going within about an 85 mile radius. One in particular, The Woodward Fire, is […]
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It’s Day 4 of the “shelter in place” directive. Since it began in the 7 Bay Area counties, it’s expanded to all of California and many other states. Even though San Francisco deems bike shops as essential and are allowed to remain open, I’m only slightly adjusting my shop policy. During the past 4 days, […]
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As of today, Marin county, and the other 6 counties comprising the Bay Area, are mandating all residents shelter in place to slow the transmission of COVID-19, unless you are involved in essential business. A bike shop is not essential. Because of that, Black Mountain Cycles will be closed for the foreseeable future as long […]
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Today’s post is brought to you by guest writer Amanda Eichstaedt. Amanda recently had me build a Road+ bike for her, which prompted her to realize that, with this bike, she would likely never ride 3 different bikes she owned. The answer to the question of “how many bikes can one own,” is routinely noted […]
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Several years ago, my tax accountant asked me what I planned to do when I wanted to retire. Sell the business or sell everything off and end up with zero inventory. I thought about it for a bit. What is Black Mountain Cycles without me and would someone want to buy it? Good question and […]
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Before I get too far into this post, a reminder that frames are on the way. The vessel carrying the frames docked in Los Angeles this morning. ETA to Oakland where it will unload my/your frames is March 17. However, I believe the ETA for arriving in Los Angeles was March 10 and it’s the […]
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I expected the new frames to create a bit of interest with their revisions. However, it seems the demand may be higher than I anticipated with several deposits on both the road and cross frames already made to secure one. And that was without confirming the final price, which I am happy to say is […]
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