Una Pizza Bike Show

A per the previous post, I was closed last Sunday to hang out, er, attend and display a bike at the somewhat annual Una Pizza Bike show organized by Sean Walling of Soulcraft Bikes and Anthony Mangieri of Una Pizza Napoletana.  Ten bucks got folks in to talk bikes and eat as much of Anthony’s […]

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Pizza and bikes and frame builders

The shop will be closed this Sunday, December 14, for the somewhat annual Una Pizza Napoletana bike show with the Bay Area’s finest frame builders and parts makers.  If you’re in the area stuff your pockets with some cash and come on over.  Noon to 5:00.   (What’s playing:  Elvis Costello What’s So Funny About Peace, […]

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Grease is noble

Recently, I had occasion to pull bottom brackets out of two different bikes.  Both bottom brackets were Shimano’s Hollowtech II external bearing models.  One bike was a custom titanium Seven with full Dura Ace.  The other was a Norco (or was it a Novara?) steel framed touring bike.  The Seven has low miles and is […]

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Turning tubes into frames

The MUSA cross frames are coming along nicely.  I got an update from Cameron Falconer yesterday.  Frames and forks are welded.  The fiddly bits are next to be brazed on.  They should be going to the powder-coater by next Wednesday.  When they get back to me, several are already spoken for, but there will be […]

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No two days the same

One thing is for sure here in West Marin – no two days are the same.  One day it’s overcast and the next day it’s clear as can be.  A side benefit of the variety of the weather is that even if you do the same ride day after day, it will feel different.  Sunday’s […]

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MUSA frame update

While the window to order your choice of frame size, canti brake, or disc brake is closed now, there are still some frames available and you can have your choice of color.  Here’s what is available:  56cm or 59cm frames for disc brake only.  Forks will be segmented style and there will be hourglass shaped […]

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Monster Cross V4 frames arrived

One phone call last Friday to the tucking company who will be delivering frames, “Yes, the frames will be delivered on Monday.  Please call back on Monday before 10:00 a.m. to get a delivery window.”  Monday morning arrives.  I think I can get out on the bike at 8:00 a.m. and get a 90 minute […]

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Sometimes you want to keep them

I love building wheels.  Feeling the tension slowly increase.  Seeing the wheel become round and true.  Checking the tension to confirm it’s ready.  Installing tires and cassette.  Fitting into the frame.  The wheel goes from a collection of loose parts, (roughly 66 individual parts, sometimes more, sometimes less) that are useless by themselves, into a […]

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Get on board with a US made cross frame

There’s still a bit of time to get in the queue for a US made cross frame.  Cameron Falconer will, once again, be making these frames for Black Mountain Cycles.  Cameron’s been getting some well deserved recognition recently, including this post on The Radivist.  Well done, Cameron. Here’s the skinny on the frame particulars.  We’re […]

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More cross frames on the way

The boat carrying the newest run of monster cross frames was docked in Oakland on Monday.  The customs bond, import duty, and dock fee have been paid.  I’m assuming they are clearing customs now and should be on their way here soon.  Based on what I learned with the last shipment, the trucking company who […]

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Cross frame updates…

Two updates on cross frames today.  First, the Taiwanese made cross frames are ready and will be in a container on the way here next week.  Container shipments leaving the factory are typically done on Tuesdays, if I recall.  What that means is that 57 cross frames in Maroon and Dazzling Blue in all sizes, […]

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Bruce Gordon Rock ‘n Road…

I was pretty stoked to be asked to build this bike for Bruce Gordon.  It’s funny, though.  Bruce is always cited for being a traditionalist when it comes to his bikes.  Steel tubing, 1″ threaded steerer tubes…  The reality is that couldn’t be further from the truth.  One look at some of the showstopper bikes […]

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