Update For 2022

The last year saw huge challenges mainly centered around availability. I am just now starting to receive parts that I ordered 10 months ago. I have no idea if I ordered enough or too much. Nothing I can do about it, so I’ll play that hand and go all in.

Things are happening, though. La Cabra and Monstercross frames are in production. They should be out of paint and ready to ship in March. With the issues facing ocean freight, there are still many questions about securing a container and space on a vessel, so ready to ship in March vs. an actual ship date and arrival date are still unknowns. Working on it, though.

While La Cabra and Monstercross frames are in production, MCD and Road+ frames … well, that’s another story, I’m sorry to say. I’ll post a separate blog about these frames. They deserve an entire post. First La Cabra and Monstercross.

Last fall, I posted of some of the challenges for frame production – mainly the large increase of minimum order quantities (MOQ) per frame size. And last month I got hit with another unexpected challenge – no facility to paint frames had space available. I was told they were all booked out until 2023 – unless I wanted all frames painted black. I was finally able to secure production space at the same facility that has painted frames in the past, with one caveat: one color option for each model. In the past, I had usually offered two colors – a wild and a mild. So, I had to come up with one color option for each model. I think they’ll appeal to a wide range of folks. I hope.

All Monstercross frames will be painted PMS 2150. It’s a blue I’m calling Kinda Blue sort of inspired by how frequently I was listening to Miles Davis’ “Kind Of Blue” during the time when I was trying to be color inspired. I think it’s kind of cool. A bit like some old ’60s Volkswagen maybe. A little dusty. Not too dark, not too light.

I knew I wanted something earthy for the La Cabra frames. Maybe the color of an old penny. And then I opened a jar of peanut butter and there it was. PMS 7511 Peanut Butter. That’s it. I like that. And I like that a color can also tell a story.

Even though the La Cabra and Monstercross frames are in process and the long wait will soon be over, I’m not ready to start accepting orders or deposits. That will happen when I know the frames are produced, painted, and in a container loaded on a vessel. Sometime in March, I hope. In the mean time, I do have an active email list for folks to receive updates. Drop me an email and let me know which frame you’re hoping to order and I’ll add you to the list.

Alright, I think that covers things for now. I’ll make a separate entry about MCD and Road+ frames within the next day or two.

(What’s playing: Attica Blues “Contemplating Jazz”)

One response to “Update For 2022”

1. Andrew W says:

   January 18, 2022 at 6:13 pm

   I’m liking the colors, Mike. Good to hear things are moving!

   Reply

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