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As I am typing this baby No.2 has yet to make her appearance, it could be any day now, and we are planning on bringing three Ramblers down to Orange this Sunday November 17, 2013 for a bit of show and tell.

“Plan A” is to be there a bit early, helps on our end with traffic, and be able to facilitate some test rides.  If you have interest in meeting up send me an email and we can set something up.  We intend to be there for the whole day.  That said it is a full moon, and just such a full moon brought out our munchikin No1.   If you are really hoping to see the Ramblers please plan on earlier than later, one never really knows with these sorts of things, but if I get the call I will be heading back north ASAP.

Also, the sponsors of the event will be having a raffle to offset the costs of the event.  We will be donating a set of the new Terra Cotta Soma C-line Tires to help them along.

I know we will see some old friends, and will make lots of new ones, it is going to be a good day.  We hope to see you there.

 

First I need to thank each and every person who has supported us through readership, spreading the word and purchases.  Without all of you, Ocean Air Cycles would be a crazy guy making pictures and stockpiling esoteric bicycle widgets on the California coast.

This whole venture has been a process in learning and growing as a business offering products and services I believe in.  Aside from customers I never could have made it this far without the love and support of my family and friends as well.  Some aspects of the venture have exceeded hopes and expectations, while others like actual sales vs. projected are more of an element of stress.  Stress can be a good thing, pushing for better solutions and systems, but it can also wear you down.  The last three months have been  a roller coaster and twice the stress outran my health.  Once around the time that the first Ramblers of the Summer were heading to new homes, and again in the last three weeks.  Having a three-year old in child care, fighting off germs is nothing new.  Generally I just push through, and I did for the last two weeks, was getting on top of it Sunday, and then while processing pictures to promote the kerchiefs, I realized I looked about as good as I was feeling

That night the fever ramped up to 101 and today I am getting back to the computer.

Even with all of the above mentioned support, OAC is primarily a one man show, and when the man is down things screech to a halt, no sick days or things stop.  With the impending birth of our next daughter (any time in the next two weeks) I had to stop, lay down and focus on getting better, fast.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel on this one.  My voice and throat are still shot, phone calls will have to wait until next week.  But I am catching up on emails, direct apologies to those waiting for Ramblers, and all that.  If you have been waiting for a reply, I may have missed something, please do not take it personally and do not hesitate to ask again, your patience is appreciated.

Things should be back to normal by next week.  Projects like hats, shirts, neck buffs, kerchiefs, wallets, scarves and some other surprises will all get back under way so we have things in time for the holidays.  Like wise, there are a few bought Ramblers that need to get to their new homes and another 35 or so that still are looking for their future owners.

One of the most heard questions around here is “how do I get a complete Rambler, as in ready to roll?”.  There are a few ways to answer that….

The easiest way is to have your local Bike shop contact us, and you can buy the frame through them, or you can purchase the frame set directly through us, and have it drop shipped to your local bike shop.  If they have any questions on assembly or specifying the component choices we are more than happy to help them out.  Our stocking dealers are Free Range Cycles in Seattle, Blue Lug in Tokyo and Velo Cult in Portland has had at least two Ramblers pass through their work stands already.  Likewise if you are, or know a local shop, that would like to become a dealer do not hesitate to contact us for a dealer agreement.

The other way to get a complete build is directly through us.  We will work with you do get the perfect fit, for both you and your budget, to ensure that you are rolling on the Rambler of your dreams.  Once we get through the size and color aspects, the component specification is next.  Do you know if you would prefer the “Porteur” or “Rando” build?  We can help.  Likewise, many of the details like lighting systems, racks and bags will depend on how you most likely will be using the bike.  Complete builds average between $4000-$5000 but can go higher or lower depending on what you need and want.

We are still working on the details of our house brand of luggage, but in the interim we can also facilitate custom luggage through Swift Industries, our fabrication partner and craft builder in Seattle.

Thanks for your continued interest in the Ramblers, and we look foreword to getting more people rolling soon.

One of the surprising challenges managing the online storefront has been keeping the shipping costs somehow fair for everyone.  That is so that small purchases do not go out for free, stings on our end, or you having to pay $5 shipping to get some stickers in an envelope.

While there are tools in the storefront software, some part of their logic keeps alluding me, and there have been glitches, most I do my best to make right, i.e. we usually eat the shipping.  As part of keeping this a business and not just a labor of love I need to get this part sorted out.

The only ways, without more complexity for us both, is to build the cost of shipping into the price of each item, or move towards flat rates.  I have chosen flat rates.

Sales Under $75 will have a shipping and handling charge of $5

Sales over $75 have free shipping with the exception of large items like frames and wheel sets.

Rambler Frame Sets have a flat rate of $45 in the US

In the long run we are still picking up a chunk of the costs, but not all of them.

 

Today the first two Ramblers to be delivered internationally should be showing up at their new home in Japan.  I owe a giant thank you hug to everybody who helped me connect the dots to make this happened to Wakako at Blue Lug for seeing the value in our offerings for their market.

I am so stoked to get this relationship going.  Martina at Swift, Paul Components and Katty Geekhouse all helped me make this happen, thank you.

This also means that I have sorted out the basic issues for international sales.  Over the last year I have had more than a bit of interest from other shores, and now I can get this part of the business going.  In a nut shell Ramblers can be shipped overseas at retail, freight will generally be handled via fedex and runs about $200 give or take depending on where you are in the world.  Import duties, taxes and fees are on the buyer.  If you are a shop looking to bring in multiple Rambler frame sets, as in the above mentioned transaction, contact me for a dealer agreement and we can get the ball rolling.  With regard to custom complete builds, I am still a bit buried, but can help get you there, it will just take a little more time.