Zukas Cycles

[Nate Zukas]

IMG_2008 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2007 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2005 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr

[quickag]

nate that's my favorite head tube badge. Keep it.

[Nate Zukas]

nate that's my favorite head tube badge. Keep it.

Thanks! It was a challenge to paint on , but I hope to use it again on some customers builds in the future.

[Nate Zukas]

IMG_2138 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2139 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2154 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2142 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr

[dgaddis]

Got my spot in the build queue finally!! STOKED!!

[Nate Zukas]

Lug work...

IMG_2382 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2386 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2390 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2391 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2394 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2392 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr

[htono]

Nate,
I've been following your craft for a while now, with mixed feelings.
From what I can tell your craftsmanship is impeccable, but I have a comment and a question.
First the comment; I don't get your off-center seat post clamps. Looks to me like trying to hard to differentiate yourself from the crowd when your quality brazing has already taken care of that.
Next the question; where did you learn design? and I mean design as in putting the wheels in the right place, not as in mixing the right colors. What's the story behind the angles and dimensions for a custom frame?
Henrique

[Nate Zukas]

Nate,
I've been following your craft for a while now, with mixed feelings.
From what I can tell your craftsmanship is impeccable, but I have a comment and a question.
First the comment; I don't get your off-center seat post clamps. Looks to me like trying to hard to differentiate yourself from the crowd when your quality brazing has already taken care of that.
Next the question; where did you learn design? and I mean design as in putting the wheels in the right place, not as in mixing the right colors. What's the story behind the angles and dimensions for a custom frame?
Henrique

Hi Henrique, Good comment and question! The off center seat clamp was a thought that occurred to me when I did my first seat mast frame. When using a stubby seat post the binder bolt was difficult to reach with a typical park 3 way tool. By having it off center you are then able to fully spin this tool without it hitting against the seat. I like designs stepping out from the norm especially if they have a reason!
Fortunate I'm very mechanically inclined and good with my hands. With that I'm self taught. I did consider taking a class but decided to buy a jig instead feeling pretty confident from my previous projects and years of wrenching on bikes that I could build a frame. I commuted today on it and it still puts a smile on my face knowing its the first one I ever built. Hopefully I'm answering the last one correctly but I tend to lean towards a sloping TT design. I personally like the look of the design and use it a lot but only when It can be used to accommodate the customers contact points. I like seeing 100-110mm length stems, 10mm or less (none is better) of headset spacers, slight offset seat posts and I'm a huge fan of slightly lower BB heights. Aesthetics of a complete bike is an important aspect of my designs and love it when the completed bike fits the rider and can meet my standards mentioned above. So far I have been able to combine aesthetics with ride quality. To me that's custom!
Thanks, NATE

[Nate Zukas]

Sneak peak...30th wedding anniversary present.
IMG_2440 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2442 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2444 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr

[Todd Mosley]

Is that a cabinet drawer knob you're using for a dimpler?

[David Tollefson]

Is that a cabinet drawer knob you're using for a dimpler?

Heck yes! Firmly in the "whatever works" category. I use the top of a pipe wrench (backed up by half a tube block) to make long dimples in chainstays.

[Nate Zukas]

I was at Lowe's one day and a light bulb came on. It's threaded so I drilled and taped a 10-32 hole into the end of the arbor, mounted a threaded stud and viola!

[Nate Zukas]

Free styling with the lathe, making a pump peg.

IMG_2923 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr
IMG_2925 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2926 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2928 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr
And mitered to match the top tube's angle.
IMG_2929 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2931 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2933 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2934 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr

NATE

[Britishbane]

Free styling with the lathe, making a pump peg.


And mitered to match the top tube's angle.


NATE

Oh, that's the good stuff. Nice, Nate.

[Nate Zukas]

Head tube fillet-From miter to finish.


IMG_2869 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2895 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_2955 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr

[Nate Zukas]

IMG_3036 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_3043 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_3048 by Nate Zukas, on FlickrIMG_3070 by Nate Zukas, on Flickr

[Nate Zukas]

IMG_3195.jpg
Sneak peak action.....

[dgaddis]

Teal! Someone almost got my color...

[DeeDub76]

Nate,

When it comes to paint and color schemes do you have any input or is it completly your customers ideas?

Either way, the point I want to make is that all of your bikes have such great color combinations that are laid out really well. Every new bike you finish is my favorite! Keep up the great work and I wish you were going to NAHBS.

[Nate Zukas]

Nate,

When it comes to paint and color schemes do you have any input or is it completly your customers ideas?

Either way, the point I want to make is that all of your bikes have such great color combinations that are laid out really well. Every new bike you finish is my favorite! Keep up the great work and I wish you were going to NAHBS.

Thanks Darrel! For the most part the customer will give me the desired colors and the freedom to lay it out and pick the shades. This one just hit me with the high pearl idea against that solid teal. The pressure is always on when I'm told told paint it like it was yours! Maybe nahbs again, really considering the Philly show. Baller's ride definitely, almost finished my new disc cross frame for this event. Probably will just paint it black! But probably not....
NATE