Groovy Cycleworks

[John Winston]

As always Rody, keep it coming....inquiring minds want to know!

[Rody]

The new designs are done and ready for 2012 for jerseys and tees...anyone who is interested can clicky on the links :)

Jersey information (only took me 18 years)...

Groovy Cycleworks 330-988-0537: Groovy Jerseys....finally

jersey.jpg

New Tee's, available at Nahbs first!

Groovy Cycleworks 330-988-0537: New 2012 shirt design all done...

Groovy Teeshirt small.jpg

see y'all this coming weekend,

rody

[Rody]

Really enjoyed sharing smiles with y'all.

Here's my rambling story of Nahbs this year...

Groovy Cycleworks 330-988-0537: Nahbs 2012 wrap up

cheers,

rody

[jerk]

rody-
the only thing that sucked about nahbs this year was not hav ing you as a neighbor. sorry we didn't get to talk longer. stuff looked great btw.
craig

[Rody]

Craig,

Yes, I missed having you close. There's always Denver...won't you be, could you be, won't you be my neighbor? :)

rody

[drewgh2o]

If you haven't already discussed the tri-coidal polygon crank/bb interface, could you enlighten us on it's origins and specs. Is it licensed from e13 or is it open source? Grassy ass.

[Rody]

If you haven't already discussed the tri-coidal polygon crank/bb interface, could you enlighten us on it's origins and specs. Is it licensed from e13 or is it open source? Grassy ass.

Drew,

The original two piece crank design was fabricated by Bill Grove in 1978 when he was the owner of Titron Components, a small company he founded to produce titanium BMX parts. It is this design that has formed the foundation for all other two piece designs we enjoy today. Bill utilised the tri-coidal polygon as the crank arm interface because it offers almost 100% surface contact (with the exception of the pinch bolt cut), yielding an incredibly strong and efficient interface. Contrast that to a spline interface, where approximately only 63% of it's surface area is resisting the torsional energy under load, and you can see the benefit. The polygon was originally used on the Wankel engine, the inspiration for the crank application.

In 1980, Bill went to work as the chief design engineer for Hutch Racing, where he brought the Aerospeed crank and many other parts that revolutionised the industry in the short time he served there.

Bill left Hutch in 1982 and began Grove Innovations, a small production shop where he had his own line of bikes, did proto type work for others, and built for other brands. He continued to make his Hot Rod crank until the mid 90's, when the smaller thru spindle and required internal bearings led to it's own obsolescence, due to premature bearing failure, an expensive repair that left many sets of cranks replaced and forgotten in dusty boxes of spare parts.

When Shimano introduced their external bearings in 2003, I saw that an opportunity existed to correct some of the inherent design flaws in the cranks and bring them back to market for the small builder. I licensed the design from Bill, we redesigned them, went through prototype testing for about three years getting them exactly where I wanted them, and I re-introduced them to the market at the Portland Nahbs. I now make them in 4130 heat treated chromolly and titanium versions.

The boys at E13 utilised the polygon interface on their cranks without seeking permission, claiming it to be an original design. Although not protected by any patent or trademark, a "please" would have been nice.

So there ya have it, a quick and dirty low down on some cycling history.

rody

[drewgh2o]

Thanks Rody! I must say the Hot Rods are truly amazing bits of engineering. Sorry if I offended you by suggesting that you licensed the design from E13, but their (the cranks') solid design features are obvious and it sounds like they recognized that, but where's the respect, eh? I like the pinch bolt vs. their method for keeping the crank on the spindle, BTW.

[Rody]

Fabb'd up a post mount fixture for forks today to insure accuracy and repeatability in the future...

Groovy Cycleworks 330-988-0537: Fork post mount fixture..

small pm fixture.jpg

rody

[MisterDangerPants]

Howdy Rody. Any idea when the next batch of those lovely cranksets is going to be completed? I'm on the list and just curious. Just got my next project started these will eventually end up on it!

[Rody]

My final sponsored race bike, a nice orange, blue and green with silver pinstripes.

pinstripe small.jpg

More here...

Groovy Cycleworks 330-988-0537: Dirks race frame...

Mr. Danger Pants; The spring run of cranks are sold out, if you are on the new list, the cranks are beginning this month with machining of all the little parts. I'll then weld them up, send them off for heat treating, then for plating, then I'll paint/coat them. Look for delivery around September for the next batch.

[MisterDangerPants]

Look for delivery around September for the next batch.

Thanks! I actually finally found the e-mail from you stating you'd start them this month.

[edoz]

Ok Rody, I'm gonna be wanting a set of those cranks before next Feb.

[Rody]

Finished fabrication on this Ti road frame...back inside to suss out the finish.

tiroadframesmall.jpg

r

[Rody]

been welding for about 6 hours now and need to take a break...my back just can't go as long hunkered down over the table any more.

Lot's has happened since my last update, including our kick off race for the season. We had a great time with kids races, a well attended xc event, and our Single Speed Challenge, featuring amoungst many things, a Chamois Butter and Japanese Hot Sauce Challenge. Here's Kalten showing he's willing to win...

Kalten_and_SS_challenge.jpg

Plenty to read here... Groovy Cycleworks 330-988-0537: Opening race a hoot!

Planning a trip out west at the end of the month with some friends, who just happen to be customers as well :) We'll be coming from 4 states and two countries to ride (read; lug my fat arse) around Colorado and Utah.

Before I can go, I have to finish 4 frames and the balance of this months bar order...hmmm, better get back to it.

cheers,

rody

[Rody]

a tight design... small rider, large wheels, short wheelbase, squishy fork, and a desire for curvy tubes.

Keithprofilesmall.jpg

rody

[e-RICHIE]

a tight design... small rider, large wheels, short wheelbase, squishy fork, and a desire for curvy tubes.

Keithprofilesmall.jpg

rody

I would love to see that assembled atmo.
What size seat tube is that?

[Rody]

e-Richie,

Heading to the paint booth today, will probably be a week or so before she's all assembled and ready for pics. Seat tube is a 13" c-c...about as small and tight as I am willing to go for a 29er.

rody

[Rody]

Finishing up the welding on this Ti X before it heads to the paint booth for mask and primer today with Keith's 29er...

Ti X frame small.jpg

busy busy...

[edoz]

Tell us more about that main tube. It that a huge round tube flattened on the ends, or what?