Recent Brazing Work

Finally finished cleaning up the most recent brazing work that I did.  I said a couple of weeks ago that I was gonna try to make this the best fillet-brazing that I've done, and its definitely some solid work but I'm not sure if it would win "Best Fillet-Brazed Bike" at NAHBS, which is what I would like to do one day.  Oh well, gotta keep pushing for the fortune and fame, right?

This is a pretty nice fillet however I've seen some that have almost a perfect line around the edges.  We're always our own biggest critic, however there are some really nice fillet-brazing photos floating around out there.

This one could've been a bit more uniform.  Actually I can still keep working on it if I choose to, however I have some orders to get started on so enough with the knit-picking.

This isn't bad right here.  This is what I've been shooting for.

I've got nothing bad to say about this one.

Some new components finally arrived for the upcoming orders so time to sit down at drawing board.

Ooh la la!  Brand new Dedacciai carbon rear end for the next carbon frame.  Not sure when I'll get a start on it but its ready when I am.

Thanks for stopping by.

Biketoberfest Little Rock-2014

This past Sunday was the 2nd annual Biketoberfest in Little Rock and I got the opportunity to set up a table, show some bikes, and just hang out down by the river in Little Rock.  I love LR because I've spent so much time there racing both bicycles and motocross in the past.  I've also got lots of friends there that I went to school with and met at the races.  Its a 

super-cool town and this event was a great time.  Behind the displays they had BMX stunt riders pulling off some pretty gnarly stuff and for whatever reason I didn't take one photo of those guys.  What can I say, I'm an idiot.  I mainly just spent a lot of time talking about bikes with some really cool folks. Anyway, I'm really not a big picture taking person but I did manage to get a few of some of the more unique bikes there.  Check 'em out.

I'm not really of big fan of tandem bicycles however this straight 6-pack looks like a party on wheels.  Man, if you endoed on this thing, the poor soul on the back seat better be good and drunk or its gonna hurt.  Imagine jumping this thing.  "MEDIC!"  The most amazing thing about this bike is that its being held up by only one kickstand.

This is the builder of the Straight-6.  Not sure if thats really the name of it but it sounds good to me. There's my buddy Yancey in the background by the Chainwheel tent.

A good time was had by all and I'll definitely go back next year.  

Thanks for the invite Jeremiah and Diana!  I truly enjoyed it.

The JET Bicycle - The most dangerous unsafe bike EVER

Now this is custom!  I wanna party with this guy.  Have a good weekend!

High Speed Downhill Longboarding featuring the song "Burnin' Urethane" b...

Recent Brazing Work

These photos aren't much different than any other brazing shots that I post but I'm determined to turn these into the nicest fillets I've done to date.  Only time will tell though.

I tried to slow things down a bit and focus on laying them down as smooth as I could in order to have only minimal cleanup work.  Few more braze-ons and then the real work starts.

I've had this older rear wishbone lug laying around for a while now and decided to incorporate it into this frame.  Now I'm looking for a nice fork lug that will match up to it nicely.

Andy Schleck & David Millar Retire

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/oct/14/david-millar-retire-cycling

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/09/gallery/gallery-david-millars-retirement-shoes_347819

Vivax Gruber Assist Motor

I was surfing through some photos of ExpoBici 2014 that Velonews had posted and apparently this company Vivax Gruber, who make these assist motors for bicycles, was there to share their product.  I know this isn't new, as the videos from Ryder Hesjedal's bike spinning around like a top on la calle in la Vuelta surfaced quite a few weeks ago, but I can't believe that somebody actually went to the trouble to make this product, and better yet they're selling it at a bike show.  "Umm, shun!" I don't know. I think this is crazy screwed-up.  Really?  For all the work and effort that goes into creating and designing a product, building a business, and all for what, a couple of miles an hour, a horsepower, or whatever out of a bicycle that was meant to be pedaled?  Do you use this if you bonk on the group rides?  Is this gonna get you home on your commutes?  You got me.  I would love to see the marketing and sells strategy behind this.  I went to their website but after about one second the words motorcycle, moped, and scooter came to mind and I exited.  If I want a motor to help me get around, I'm not gonna choose the cordless drill motor. Who are the people that actually want/need these?  Is this product really in demand?  When we all first heard people saying that Fabian Cancellara rode away from Tom Boonen like he had a motor on his bike, I just laughed inside.  And even though I don't believe that Cancellara would ever stoop to this level, this product actually makes it a possibility.

Ok, I did go back and read a couple of clips to see if I could find something to help me undestand this a little better. While I didn't read much, it only took me a second to realize its for keeping the group together, hence, not getting dropped.  Isn't getting dropped what makes a rider get better and stronger? Here is an excerpt from their advantages column.

Vivax's electric assistance is only usually needed from time to time for group cycling, ensuring the riders remain together.  Electric support takes the strain off hard-working muscles at exactly the right moment. None of the group find the riding too taxing and none find it too easy. On easy routes electric support isn't needed at all, conserving battery capacity and battery life.  Longer and more challenging touring routes are also possible, motiviating and giving the rider confidence. You keep the exhuberence and enjoyment of riding, even on these longer, harder routes

Well, after looking the website over and watching the video, I've come to this conclusion.

Someone has stolen my "5 Seconds of Nitrous" idea.

http://www.vivax-assist.com/en/unternehmen/

Red Bull Straight-Rhythm Motocross-First of Its Kind

Brand new motocross event sponsored by Red Bull.  Its called straight-rhythm motocross and its basically a drag race on a mx track thats 3/4 mile long without any turns.  I missed the live version last night, as I didn't even know they were racing, however I stumbled onto this video and thought I'd share it for anyone who may want to take a look.  Not sure how many mx'ers there are that stop by.  Its over 3 hrs. long but maybe you can fast forward to the good stuff. Enjoy!

http://www.dirtrider.com/features/red-bull-straight-rhythm-2014-live/

Almost forgot to give CYCLENEWS credit for the photo up above.  If you're into motorcycles
you can't overlook those guys.  www.cyclenews.com

Frames for Sale

I'm putting the MEECH TravelCross frame up for sale.  Its a size 58cm and breaks down to fit into a 26"x26" suitcase.  The price is $1750 and if you need some components to go with it I will be glad to order whatever you would like.  I also have a brand new pair of Velo-Orange mid-reach brake calipers that work perfectly with this frameset.  If you're interested in some specifics you can give me a shout. Scroll down if you would like to see this frame being built from the ground up.

Here is another frame built much like the TravelCross frame however it doesn't contain the S&S couplers and it also has a steel fork.  This thing will go literally anywhere and could even be raced in cross races, preferable dry, hardpack as there isn't lots of mud and tire clearance.  It has an integrated seatpost that will be cut down to fit the rider if needed.  Its roughly a size 56cm with a slightly sloping top tube.  Internal rear brake cable that exits through the seatpost. 

Cyclocross frameset that I was contemplating repainting however after doing a double-take this thing is good to go as is.  There are only a couple of small spots on the paint but nothing major.  This is the first disc-brake cyclocross frame that I built and it also has a tapered head tube and a ENVE fork.  Would love to move these frames in order to make some room in my shop so give me a shout if you see anything you like.  And, should you need any components I can take care of you. Thanks for stopping by and if you have questions feel free to give me a shout.

MEECH Custom Bicycles

Handmade in 

Mountain Home, Arkasas

(870)897-6703

  

Yamaguchi Frame Building Workshop

Yesterday I came across these older photos from the Yamaguchi Frame Building workshop and it had me reminiscing a little.  It was a great experience and just a good time in general.  Since the new frame building photos aren't coming as quickly as I'd like, I thought I'd share some of the ones where it all started.

This is Judd...,

and this is Will.  I have no idea where these guys are or if they're still building frames.  It would be cool to talk to them to see what's up.  Both very interesting guys.

Now this is a frame-building workshop!

Handing me anything that is capable of starting a fire is usually not a good thing.  I've started a handfull of fires in my earlier days.  Did I ever mention the time I helped light up the neighborhood baseball field.  Koichi told us one story about watching either an oxygen or acetylene tank shoot straight up into the sky like a rocket.  Glad I haven't done that. Although, I'm not done building frames yet.

"Break out the grinder!"  I'm not sure this is a good idea when building bike frames, however if you got the steady hand go for it. 

Love this table.  The name slips my mind at the moment however they're imported and retail for around $6000 if I remember correctly.  They used to be available through Strawberry Cyclesport. Marchetti I believe is the brand, perhaps Marchetti Lang.

Happy day!

If you ever get the itch to build a frame, Koichi Yamaguchi is an excellent teacher and one of the most interesting bicycle enthusiast you'll ever meet. Check him out.

http://www.yamaguchibike.com/content/School

These are the first 4 frames I built.

Thanks for stopping by.

Danny Macaskill: The Ridge

Here is one of the latest videos from Danny Macaskill.  Its a mountain bike video that during the first watch seems pretty boring.  There are hundreds of videos of people doing some insane stuff on bikes these days and this one doesn't look any different, however after watching it the second time I found a little more upon a closer look.  One of my problems is the boring, meditational music that puts you to sleep, but then I'm not a videographer am I?  Couple of things to watch for...., ahh, who am I kidding, there isn't much to get excited about here.  There is an extremely cool front flip over a wire fence.  I've actually done that trick before, however I didn't stick the landing quite like he did.  There is some pretty difficult riding here and I realize that i couldn't walk (or ride I should say) 10 feet in this guys shoes.  I couldn't even do the bike hike he does in this video.  Nice scenery though and I dig the Santa Cruz bike with the pink rims.  Is that Bakers Pink?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BygUjLY_1FY

Did you ever see the one of Danny at the Playboy mansion?  Utterly ridiculous.  Girls just aren't impressed by stuff like this.  Wonder why?