Groovy Cycleworks

[edoz]

Good press, Rody. It's good to see 2 of my 3 favorite mtb builders in Bicycling:)

[Rody]

Thanks Edoz...that's a very kind comment and I thought only my kids liked me

A shot from the interior of my booth, looking through into the paint prep area and the new countertops I build yesterday.

cheers,

rody

[myers]

the thomson bags are brilliant. i have a few that i've repurposed for various things, but putting them together is a wonderful idea. and, as a woodworker, your hickory doors rock.

[Rody]

Myers...

I'm not much of a woodworker, but the doors were a fun challenge. Gotta be honest though, I don't have the patience to work with wood every day, I'm glad there are folks like you that have the skill sets to do so.

cheers,

rody

[Rody]

To insure I keep breathing life into the smoked out forum, here's a link to my updated Nahbs profile. I was able to get a few bikes up last night.

NAHBS | 2011 | North American Handmade Bicycle Show | Groovy Cycleworks

A big thanks to Don and his IT guru Todd for making the site so easy to update and work with...with guys like this on our side, it is no wonder the hand built niche continues to prosper.

rody

[Rody]

It was a pleasure seeing y'all in Austin. Really enjoy the opportunity to visit with like minded folks...kinda washes away the pain of working in a solitary environment so often.

I posted up my thoughts on the trip in a thread here ... Groovy Cycleworks 330-988-0537: Nahbs 2011, Austin

As an aside, I also calculated up my costs on participating in 2011...

Booth space - 850.00
Airfare - 481.60
Hotel - 593.40
Rental car - 356.73
Food - 146.72
Parking- 49.50
Parts (forgot a stem and cable guide, oops) - 42.50
Gasoline - 20.50
Shipping (booth, two bikes, box o' bars/cranks/tees) - 697.62

Total expenses - 3238.07

Was it worth it? I'd say yes, as I feel it's an important event to participate to continue to represent and grow our niche in this industry.

The most disappointing factor about the show is that there is limited time to chat with many up an coming folks. Edoz and Jay, I wish I would have had some uninterrupted time to chat more with y'all...I look forward to the day that both of you are representing the family professionally.

cheers,

rody

[John Winston]

Rody,

I have spent several hours of my life last night looking into your world. Infectious at the least. Great work, great paint, and nary a dull moment. Keep up the pace and please keep posting your efforts knowing us newer builders are looking at examples of what it takes.

Thanks-

John

[Archibald]

Yo Rody - Hanging with you and your son when time and crowds allowed was awesome! You're a great asset to our community and I can wait to get behind your luv handles again!

[edoz]

Edoz and Jay, I wish I would have had some uninterrupted time to chat more with y'all...I look forward to the day that both of you are representing the family professionally.

cheers,

rody

Thanks, Rody. It was great talking with you even for a few minutes. I felt a little weird about taking up guys' time instead of letting them talk to potential customers, but I guess that's half the show.
I'm already planning on being there in 2012.

[jerk]

rody-
you were an awesome neighbor dude! want me to send you spinelli's dry cleaning bill? fun catching up- i'll be getting some of your bars soon....and thanks for letting us tape horrible day-glo wrapping paper to your light fixtures!

anyway-
c

[Rody]

Seriously Craig...if you picked up anything about me this past weekend, it should be that bold or "day-glo"colors are not horrible in my perspective Let me know if Justin has a dry cleaning bill for my errant kick of his bottle...still feel bad about that.

Don...enjoyed the social interaction as well. Tis a shame that like minded souls are challenged by miles of earth betwixt them. Glad you're liking the bar, gonna have to upgrade you to Ti though.

Thanks John, the pace is more than should be healthy at times, but it's the path I've chosen. Here's to hoping you find the best part of life and grab it too.

Eric, no worries mate, hard to make enough time for everyone, but definitely want to try.

rody

[vulture]

Rody, great to hang out with you, My treat dinner in Sacto. Keep me posted on Vulture's Knob racing. I will kick down some swag.

[Rody]

Wade,

Gonna have to come on over for the final race when we're having some builders together for suds and a fire :)

Final Nahbs blah blah blah...video with "Hollywood" Jeff on MTBR. Definitely one of the oddest interviews I've had the pleasure to participate in, but good fun none the less ...

http://reviews.mtbr.com/nahbs/2011/0...s-kauai-6-5-0/

cheers,

rody

[Chauncey Matthews]

"My crank goes to 180mm."
Classic!

[Rody]

...and a nice article featuring Drew and I from Chris at Embrocation Magazine.

Chris had perhaps the most thoughtful questions of the weekend, and plenty of them :)

Embrocation Cycling Journal: Emerson's Lathe: Self-Reliance at NAHBS

rody

[Rody]

After a long winter that just won't stop, I'm off in AZ for a few days of sun.

I only had a day and a half to build me a bike for the trip, felt like the show all over again (and too soon) ;)

Painted it up in a nice team lavendar...always wanted one but could not afford it back in the day. Built up with Ti Luvs, Ti post, Hotrods, Phil wheels, Magura brakes and a nice brooks saddle.

Too bad I don't have the body to ride this ss like it deserves

cheers,

rody

[Eddie]

Rody,

How has your experience been thus far with the Paragon Rockers? Nice build!

Eddie

[Rody]

Eddie,

Have not used the rockers, these are Black Cat swingers that I had in the drawer.

The black cats have a nice aesthetic look and function well. Easy to adjust and maintain without the leverage loading that typical sliders have.

Nitpicks...

Personally, I would increase the size of the hoods width a skoosh to accommodate .875 chain stays and .750 seat stays, round the edges of the hoods for a more finished look and better paint adhesion, and make 'em in Ti too :)

cheers,

rody

[Rody]

Recently finished Don's Yo resto in a nice Aqua Fade. Love the 90's mtb scene

aquafade small.jpg

more info and progress shots here: Groovy Cycleworks 330-988-0537: Don's Yo resto, picture progression

cheers,

rody

[edoz]

Rody, I've seen Black Cats in ti. One set at least, Tom @ Norse Cycles in Durango has a ti bike with the Swingers. If you're interested, you could give Todd a holler and ask about them. Love the violet color, btw.