New "errand" Racks!

Decks are done, thanks Jason. Excellent work. I have four left. $250.

"Errand" Racks Illuminated

In lieu of printing out a copy of instructions I posted some pictures and hopefully helpful tips on installing a Capricorn adjustable rack. Click here to see how easy it is.

Gravel Races-- Love it!

Just found out about this race up in Duluth.

Heck of the North

Sounds like a good time-- if you're into that sort of thing.

Twin Cities Frame Builder Show

The line-up:

Peacock Groove
Clockwork
Chris Kvale
Vincent Dominguez
Capricorn
Curt Goodrich

Not bad, not bad at all. All the info I have is here.

One at a Time, I Guess

So I'm still engulfed somewhat in an internal debate over "stock" frames for direct sale or to be sold through bicycle shops. My first impulse was to aim low: to cut a couple corners in the aesthetic department to spare some hand-labor and knock a couple hundred from the price of the frame. My second notion went the other way: make a really nice frame with lugs and silver and Rivendell the hell out of it. This could impress more people, I'd imagine, but would also limit the market somewhat due to the higher price. Having now drawn out a couple plans for a Rene Herse-inspired 650B frame, I've learned that the angles aren't great for the lugs I intended to use. So I'm back to fillet-brazing, at least for now. Then there's the issue of what folks want when it comes to a frame. Single-speed? Internal hub? Conventional derailleured drivetrain? I've said it before, I'm not making a frame that will please everyone, but in my own reticence to make up my mind I'm finding it even less likely that I'll make up the mind of a prospective buyer.

Anyway, no final decisions have been reached since this is a design process and I hope to an extent, a process that can still include your input as well. I'm going to be making a proto-type for myself this month and I hope to have it ready for scrutiny by the TC frame builder show in August. For the time being I anticipate that I'll continue to cater to individual needs and requests of cyclists out there that order a Capricorn, and doing my best to build the finest frames for them that I can.

Bike/Eat/Sleep Decals Available

These were originally made up to go on my touring frames, but I just don't make that many of those, and I'm finding that they don't really fit in to the decal scheme too well besides. So I have a few to hand out and you get your choice of colors: brown and white (just like park signs), brown and met. silver, brown and met. gold, and brown and blue. Shoot me an email if you'd like one (let me know the color). This is going to be an SASE deal, so I'll reply with my street address.

Off-Roading with Cargo

I set out this morning with a backpack loaded with stuff that I would never bring on a 30-mile ride with beautiful weather, probably about 15 pounds worth of nonsense, all with the intention of research. My goal was to ride local, wild service roads and report back this afternoon with an eloquent and purposeful dissertation on the handling properties of a top-heavy bicycle with touring geometry. I rode up and down hills, on gravel and mud, into the wind and with the wind pushing me along. Now that I'm at the computer and thinking about useful information to be presented, all that seems really worthwhile is that unsurprisingly, it works. I had a great ride on a perfect summer day, with a backpack full of gear and no sweaty back or sore shoulders. Elaboration hardly seems necessary.