Tag: production

Ramblers Getting Closer

The next round of Ramblers is getting closer to delivery!  Fifty is a lot of bikes, while I dream of batches way bigger than this, I am pretty happy to be cutting my teeth on 50.

So what does 50 bikes look like on a production rack?

6.13 50-1And that is not all of them or the 50 forks too.

So far there are about 20% of the bikes spoken for.  I need your help to get that number up.  The more of these I can get out the door the faster we can start the next round.  Even then it will be Fall or Winter before there are more in the works.  So if you have been considering a Rambler for Summer now is the time to claim yours.

As an incentive I will be updating the storefront to reflect free shipping on all Ramblers with deposits in place prior to the completion of the powder coating process.  Fulfillment will be throughout the month of July.

What makes a Rambler different from some of the other options out there?

  • Choices of color: US Blue, Sunflower and Orange Soda
  • Provisions for integrated dyno lights, front and rear
  • Paul Racer Brakes INCLUDED in the package price, with brazed on mounts
  • Double Butted steel with tubing spec optimized for the frame size
  • Made in the USA, coated in the USA with US made powder
  • Sized in 2cm increments over a range from 51 to 63, there will be one that fits for most riders
  • Rack and fender mounts, front and rear
  • Highest levels of quality control

As an expansion on that last note.  In general production frames are held to a slightly lower standard of tolerance than some of the highest end custom bikes.  Quite often the imports are far enough out of spec that the bike you get is delectably different from what you may have ordered from a spec sheet.

6.13 QC-1The Ramblers are made in Portland by guys that care, guys that ride and love bikes.  The spec and tolerances are much tighter than you will see elsewhere.  Many Ramblers will be rolling out in Portland, a good number of you may even know the guy confirming the alignment of the rear dropouts in this pic.  He, and all the team at Zen, want you to be as stoked with your Rambler as I do, and never hear a complaint.  This all matters so that your frame set builds up quickly and easily, then goes on to provide years of faithful service.

So what are you waiting for, claim your Rambler now, these are unique bikes in the market place, delivering most of what you would want in a custom Rando bike but at production prices and delivery.

 

Sneak Peak Number 2

I am guessing is you have followed my story you may be looking to get a bike that bridges transportation and sport, i.e transportation does not  have to be a mini van.  You like bikes that have a traditional look and styling.  Possibly a preference for traditional french styling from the 40’s and 50’s, with your daily load up front where you can keep an eye on it and get to it without climbing off the bike.  Your previous attempts at this with the commonly available bikes may have left you with a less than optimal handling experience.  Either a bike that was heavier than it needed to be, if it was a light weight had no provisions to carry the load on the bike or if it did the handling was compromised when loaded.

With years of personal research and design study I have addressed these issues with a bike steeped in the lineage of the traditional french touring bikes.  Using modern production techniques and partnering with a U.S. fabrication team to  deliver the look and function you are after with a few bells and whistles thrown in.  The ride will be light and sporty, yet stable with loads for you commute, day rides or the occasional quick load of groceries up front.  It goes without saying there will be provisions for full coverage fenders to keep you and the bike clean during year round riding.  This is the bike you will want for rambles through the countryside, distance rides and randonees, and still able to be your daily steed.  All of this at a price that is competitive in the current market.

The sport touring frame set project is moving along as planned.  The Design spec and engineering is settled in at to 95% point and I am comfortable releasing my Geometry and Tubing Spec:

The line has a range of even sizes from 50 through 62 measures Center of bottom bracket to the center of the intersection with the top tube.  When comparing this to traditional road frames or the size you may ride in your regular bike, consider that the size in the chart will be about 1 to 2 cm smaller due to the distance from the center of the top tube to the top and the generous bottom bracket drop.  For example I ride a 63 or 64 on my Roadeo and Eisentraut, but the 62 above is designed around my needs.

Other things to consider with the spec:

  • Clearance for42mm tires and fenders on all sizes
  • These are designed with the provision for Paul Racer brakes mounted with Brazed on bosses.  These provide ample clearance while retaining outstanding performance.  The bridges and brake holes will be located such that a 68-70mm reach brake could be used if the brake bosses were omitted by customer choice.
  • Frame construction will be Tig welded double butted 4130 steel.
  • The fork will have an investment cast crown and braze-on provisions for small upper and low rider racks as well as lighting wires.
  • Down tube shifter bosses
  • Double water bottle with reenforcing star mounts on all sizes
  • Columbine Quickchainger brazed on for clean and easy rear wheel changes.
  • Brazed on fender mounting points placed such that installation will be easy and result in even fender line.
  • 130mm rear spacing to work easily with modern road bike components.
  • Color options of American flag blue and  red.  (and possibly a sunflower yellow or orange still up in the air).

Production samples will be complete in a few weeks, the pre-orders system will be available by the end of February and a final availability date projected for early Spring 2012.  Pricing will be settled in the coming week as we move through our final production costing and design.  As always I appreciate you continued readership and support.  Project news will be updated here as soon as it is available.

Oh, and the name is still leaning towards “Rambler”, although I like fish names