I am not sure winter ever really happened this year. I am sure we will pay the price in the coming dry months, but for now it is 68 degrees and gorgeous outside. A perfect day to hit the farmer’s market and take the long way home through the hills.
I really should be taking rides through the hills more often, once a month is marginally (nice way to say not really) enough to stay in the level of fitness I would like. Today the weather and new pedals did the trick, I got out there, and it was worth is.
I have some art ideas in my head for the logo on the upcoming bike. I still like the name Masu, and am trying to make sure the steelhead trout connection can be made. Here is a sketch of what I am thinking,
This would be on the top tube, drive side a little bit back from the head tube. It wraps about a third of the way around the top tube. The color would match the Ocean Air Cycles logo on the down tube with the body of the fish transparent so the bike color shines through. Subtle but there.
Let me know if you like it, could care less as long as the bike works, or think it is a horrible idea. As always I value your input.
I don’t really care much either way what the bike is called, although generally I prefer a very minimal set of graphics/logos on a bike. But in an earlier post where potential frame names were being discussed, you mentioned that one concern for you was avoiding copying or being too close to existing names. This makes sense — you want to avoid collisions with registered marks. But if you’re planning to write MASU on the top-tube of the bike, are you worried at all that it’s too similar to MASI? I’m not saying they’d give you any trouble for it, but maybe it’s something to consider.
Looking forward to seeing how this project turns out! Personally I’d be more interested in a new 650b frame (I’d fit one of your largest sizes), but I’m still considering the Masu if the price is right, even if it is 700c.
Rob,
I’m liking the logo. It will look good as you described, transparent and all. Cant wait to see these frames. See you guys soon.
Mike
Just an thought but perhaps the model of frame could noted by just a headtube badge. The fish in a vertical orientation with MASU spell down?
I am really trying to have a single brand headbadge. That being said, finding a responsive US produces is becoming emotionally challenging. Something like you are describing but laser or water cut from a thin sheet is starting to formulate as a plan B.
Rob:
How would the fish look with an eye? I know eyes are a bit tricky & you want to avoid a “dead fish” look. Try thickening up the letters a bit. You want it clear from several feet away.
doug
I am not sure about the eye. Patagonia has used the trout outline pretty extensively and it works out OK. I also have a physical example I need to grab a pic of, maybe an excuse for a long ride in the next week.
Also, duly noted on the line weights, paper mockups have started, but I need to do a more detailed one this weekend
I really like your effort to get this project done in the US. To jump in and comment on on the logo–I like the fish (my second hand shop was called the Iron Fish Trading Co) but not so much MASU. The first think I thought of was Rivendell’s MUSA. It also reminds me of Ebisu, but Masu lacks that explosive “b” consonant; it’s a bit vague. And of course, it’s going to be an American bike, not a Japanese bike. I was liking Rambler, which was a bicycle name long before it was a car name–nothing wrong with reviving a good name from the 1890s bike boom.
If you really want to keep the steelhead trout connection clear, why not call it Steelhead? Or Steelfish?
Mark in Beacon
I hear you on all counts with the MASU name, it is a bit of a stretch, even for me. I am working with a friend in the legal business of name getting and will see what I can do in the coming week. Unfortunately these guys ( http://www.steelheadbicycles.com/ ) designing Ti bikes in Missouri have taken Steelhead and branded it with a sketch of an Opa (Hawaiian reef fish). I may end up back at rambler. I have to make sure there are no active trademarks in the 3 and a half pages of bicycle classifications, then make sure I am not stepping on the toes of somebody in another industry. I really want a name in a theme that can carry across multiple models and possibly tires components etc. Defunct auto products from the 50s could be a good theme. It is amazing how complicated the seemingly simple things can get.
That MASU logo would be great for a fish restaurant. Hmmm. Branding is tricky, but will the company be called Ocean Air Cycles? Maybe a wave? A surfboard? Or (and this might be stretching things a bit), some kind of surf music tie-in like Tremolo or Reverb?
As the link below shows, the Rambler bicycle of the 1890s boom predates the Rambler automobile of 1897, which predates the Nash Rambler of the 1950s. How about Ramblefish?
http://www.allpar.com/corporate/bios/willys.html
Oh, and I sure am put out by them Mizurans fer gittin’ all biggety and buildin ti-tan-eeum bikes and callin em Steelhead! I gotta hankerin ta put the smarts on them boys direckly.
I thought about sending them a letter myself, but have not made it that far yet. I am working on the trademark searches today, and Rambler is still in the hunt.