Pick a Color

I am northbound this afternoon for final QC on this round of 50 Ramblers.  These are exciting times, delays are almost all in the rear view mirror.  By Monday the final color selection matrix will be submitted and color is going on.

7.8 Colors-1110125What does that mean for you?  If you are planning on a Rambler this Summer and have a strong color preference this is the time to act.  There are 50 bikes in this run, and with 7 sizes, there are between 6 and 8 frame sets per size.  There are currently 3 colors: US Blue, Sunflower and Orange Soda(second from left).  The red may come back if there is demand, and it looks like there is.  All that means that there will likely be 2 bikes per color in a given size.  Once they go, it is either second choice on color or wait till winter or spring for the next round.  This is the double-edged sword of color options, it differentiates the Rambler from other bikes in this market, but it also means there are limited supplies of each.

The best way to get what you want?  Hop over to the storefront and get your deposit in place.

This trip is going to be a fast one, then a second trip North later in the month.  Keep an eye on the Instagram and Facebook feeds for updates, local rides etc.

Break Time and Some Deals

Once in a while everybody needs to shut down the doors for a bit, as in a few days to catch your breath.  This time we are taking a family vacation before things get crazy with the next round of Ramblers.  Nothing huge, but we will be signing out until Monday July 8.

Of course the digital storefront is open for things like Bandannas, Pedals, Stoves, lights, etc.  Inventory is getting low on a few things, but if it is listed as there, then it is there and will ship on Monday.

Rambler shipping has just been upgraded to FREE status until the next round ships later this month.  The frames are moving from fabrication to powder coating after the Holiday weekend.  I will be traveling up to Portland to handle some of the quality control myself.  This will also be an opportunity to cross paths with readers and customers, to possibly meet up and or see a Rambler in person as I pass through the SF bay area and Portland.  contact me if you would like to coordinate a time to meet.

7.3 Rambler Bch-

These are exciting times here at OAC with years of work and dreams coming to a head.  This is going to be the turning point, the time is right, I can feel it.

 

Sunday Plus

I made the regular Farmer’s Market ride, weather was awesome, warm but awesome,  That is what summer is all about.  Lots of people out on bikes, actual bike traffic at times.

6.30 FM-1020265The ride home was going well, the hills were enticing, and I had a little extra time.

6.30 FM-1020276July is going to be a crazy month.  There is a ton going on, between the Ramblers moving from production to paint, and then to new owners, family trips, and a long list of other projects.  I also have some friends starting up a brand, Upness, you can guess what it is about.  They are launching in July, and guess what, it was the tipping point for me to get out of the flatness and up into the hills.

6.30 FM-1020299It seemed like a great idea back on the coast with the sea breeze and all.  The Coastal breeze was not doing squat in the canyons today, and I was able to get a taste of the heat that has been going on inland.  With some sheltered areas from the breeze the temps were 10-15 degrees hotter than just around the corner.  The work was worth the reward though.

6.30 FM-1020317The last two fog free days have been pretty darn nice,  have we beat the June gloom for the year?

Hill Repeats

I decided to put my new bag through the paces climbing and descending some steep hills behind town on my way back from the post office today.  June gloom, fog and mist aside it was a great time.

6.25 GP WP-I have had a handlebar bag design bouncing around in my head for years now.  Never making the time to sew it up myself I approached Swift Industries (Martina) about the possibility of a collaboration while we were up in Seattle for the Expo.  A few sketches, a meeting, time on the phone, material exchanges, a few speed bumps with the design, and then shazam!  My dream bag showed up the other day.  Martina did an amazing job translating sketches, pictures and videos into a 3d object.  As I was searching for a contractor to partner with, Swift’s bags were the closest to what I envisioned, their business ethic was a good match and we hit it off pretty well, i.e the vibe is right on.

The bag is named the Docena,  Spanish for a dozen or dozen eggs.  My Rambler is primary transportation, we eat an average of 2 dozen eggs a week in the house, and I wanted a safe way to get them home from the farmers market.  Most bags are not wide enough to hold the eggs, this one is.  There are a bunch of other details going on, taking cues from traditional Sologne or French style bags for the form factor, material and elements from the light weight bikepacking world, a pinch of messenger bag and a twist of old school backpack all come together in this one.   The bag is 11 inches tall and primarily a solution for larger/taller bikes.  I do have a sketch for the Docenita, pulling many of the unique elements into a smaller bag, but that is in a holding pattern for the moment.

6.25 GP2 WP-I will have a more detailed post in the coming week or so, explaining all of the key features, dimensions and clearances for given handlebars.  Since it comes up first, my Nitto RM013 bars are 41.5cm C to C at the hoods and I have over 3cm of room for my thumbs on both sides.  Second is that for over 17L of volume the bag weighs in at 1.5lbs with stiffeners, if that sort of thing matters to you, that is pretty light for a full sized bag like this.