There are a couple of companies that seem to help define a type of cycling. Ortlieb is certainly one of them. They have been the number one choice for touring cyclists around the world for years. When the idea of riding to NAHBS was first dreamed up we knew that we only wanted to to do it if we could work hand in hand with Ortlieb. Along with KVA for the frame tubing, this was the first company we contacted.   In keeping with the spirit of integrated touring bikes, we designed and built the racks and frames specifically to [...]

While madly trying to pack, finish off finishing touches, and leave in less than an hour, we thought a few sneak-peaks of the two bikes (currently being referred to as Bert and Ernie) was in order.  This is the LAST time they will be clean.

My adventure to NAHBS 2012 has taken a detour.  I must gracefully accept that I cannot join in the bike tour and bike show and all around good times that will be had a NAHBS. I’ve been living with some mystery health issues that are currently being analyzed,  generalized, revised, and hopefully summarized.    Seeing how I don’t know what’s wrong, and there is a chance that I may be affected by it during the ride and afterwords, I am opting to stay home and get healthy. This is tough for me.  My normal reaction would be to toughen up already, [...]

Building continues to the wee hours of the morning.  I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Someone please tell me it’s not a train (Cracker,  2009 Virgin Records America, Inc.)   We’ve been blabbing on for quite a few blog posts.  It’s time to let the pictures speak for themselves.  

We’ve been working with FSA for quite a few years.  Not only do they have fantastic components, but their dedication to the handmade bicycle community has been steadfast.  They are wonderfully easy to work with and very down to earth.  Not only that, they get it.  They understand the passion behind bike building and riding.   Here’s our Q&A with FSA’s  Ivan Harms:     Why bikes? What makes you passionate about riding?   I’ve always loved bikes as a kid and it has turned into a career for life. As a kid I remember taking my bottom bracket apart [...]

  The creative process is filled with decisions to be made. Big or small? Single speed or geared? What kind of brakes? Colours? Right or left? Right or wrong? Some choices require no such debate. We wanted to build the bikes in a function and style that represents exactly who we are and what Naked Bicycles is all about.The frame and fork are the back-bone of any bike. The foundation. We wanted a material that was: Strong Resilient Be from a company that shares our desire to share knowledge, borrow from the past but move forward. Resistant to corrosion and [...]

Way back in the original name brainstorming session, that ended with our fledgling bike company becoming “Naked Bicycles” we hoped for a material that had the weight of aluminum, the feel of steel and the toughness and naked nature of Titanium. Well, such a material did not exist at the time, so we made do with the wonderful materials that where available. All have great features that make them very desirable to build with and ride but each has its shortcomings too. When asked by customers which material is best, I would offer the following descriptions of Aluminum, Steel, Titanium [...]

It’s late.  I look out the office window and I can see Sam still working.  I haven’t left the computer since the last time I got up to add wood to the fire.  It’s the time of night when you should be sleeping or at least hanging with friends at the pub. It is Friday night after all.  I’ve got my own personal party here with a little music and a little bit more of wine.  The stress level is mounting. Sam, Aran and I have been working on this project for many weeks now.  This is the point where [...]

The Naked workshop has been a flutter with flying bits of milled stainless, sketches drawn and crumpled. All is proceeding along nicely. A few new idea and ways of doing things but for the most part I am borrowing heavily from past experience. Putting bends in the super strong KVA tubing is proving a herculean task. How can a material be so strong and thin, and yet when it finally gives into persuasion from kind words, threats and some very long levers, it finally complies in the most elegant of fashions and leave me with some beautiful Art Nouveau swaggers? [...]

One of our goals with this adventure is to focus on a few companies that we respect and we think are doing amazing things in the bike world. Building a bicycle isn’t just about the end product, it’s also about all of the work and passion that goes into it every step of the way.  We made up a few questions, not too many, just enough to get an idea of the people behind the companies.  The questions are: 1. Why bikes? What makes you passionate about riding? 2. Why have you decided to work with the handmade bicycle manufacturing [...]