Crumpton Cycles

[crumpton]

Nick,

Can't comment cause I'm not a builder, but I just spent about 15 minutes pouring over the pics you posted in the framebuilders section. Thank you, that is awesome!

Thanks!

Hello Nick,

I just signed on to this forum and I met you a couple of weeks ago at the Texas Handmade Show. I was just wondering where some of your first carbon builds are and if they are still rolling on the road?

Dimitri Harris
MEECH Custom Bicycles

Hey Dimitri, 7 years later, i cant for sure say i know where they all are. of the first "prototyping" batch, we have destroyed a couple in testing, learned some important lessons early on. but 7 of the 1st 10 are still rolling. all but one of the reaming 326(+4 in paint and 2 in layup) are alive and kicking afaik, the one met its fate at 30mph, on the roof rack into the hotel parking garage, so she says.

this is more transparency than i expect is needed here though.

[TRuss]

I'm also loving the documentation of the builds. It's so cool to see this process. Thanks!

[meech151]

Hello Nick,
I have been following your build on the frame builders forum and had a couple of questions however when I try to post a thread it will not allow it but for some reason it allows it here.

When you are bagging your frame is it possible for the vacuum to suck the frame out of alignment or is the epoxy strong enough?
Also, when you are heating it in the oven, does the heat not affect the premade carbon tubes?
Is building a carbon frame with wet layup and room temp. curing a totally inferior process?

I know you have been hit with a ton of questions but what you do is just so interesting to so many people. I noticed the thread above asking about classes, you would be booked solid for years.
You could do videos as well. Hollywood is probably not that far away.

MEECH

[crumpton]

hey MEECH, i think that subforum requires a handshake with the admins. at any rate, i think your question is answered at the top of post #46. also eluded to in a few other places. that is the crux of heat cures. developed cure profiles and good bagging practice are the answer.

top notch bikes can come from wet layup but you ask if it is an "inferior process" so from a process standpoint, yes it is inferior in that it is messy, hard to control for consistent results(design/plan for that) yet more forgiving in a lot of ways.

cheers

[Lionel]

Hum, this thread needs to be revived.

Nick, can you please give some details about the new models you introduced at NAHBS. In particular that even lighter SL.

Thanks!

[DCT]

Hum, this thread needs to be revived.

Nick, can you please give some details about the new models you introduced at NAHBS. In particular that even lighter SL.

Thanks!

im getting the stupid light SL yo. you'll see it at ballers.

[Lionel]

Wanted some details. Still Enve tubing, what else has changed etc...

What is the ETA on yours ?

Still trying to line up the stars for ballers but tough to make it for me.

[burgess1108]

Nick,

Great meeting and riding with you at Ballers. Pictures don't do justice to your frames. Absolutely beautiful work and I really appreciated the insights into the work you're doing with the new models.

[DCT]

Knowing Nick rides the daylight out of his bike is another reason to want a frame.

Not only does he know how to build, but the bro can ride like no other.

[WayneJ]

Nick dropped off the parkway and into the twisties in a way that made my jaw drop. I fought hard to get into the rhythm and stay with him. I spent a LOT of time with him just ahead and he never missed a single line through the tight turns. Like a swarm of fighter pilots all after the same target, we attacked that descent. It was one of the riding highlights of the weekend for me.

Builders who ride their bikes, build better bikes.
Dot period.
Nick effing rocks on two wheels.

[e-RICHIE]

Builders who ride their bikes, build better bikes.
Dot period.
Nick effing rocks on two wheels.

Agreed ^^ atmo. I may have to get one of these bad-boyz to lean up against some day.

[Lionel]

Agreed ^^ atmo. I may have to get one of these bad-boyz to lean up against some day.

work on some sort of trade

[DCT]

[x] baller(s)

[crumpton]

Nice guys. Thanks. The drop off the parkway is now an all time favorite moment on the bike for me. A big part of that was doing it with with others that know what is up. I don't get opportunities to do that kind of riding much. If I did, I wonder would I get better or get dead?

I would swap for a red il Piccoli Signature LTD(sachs) anytime.

[burgess1108]

Look at the way Darren's seemingly mismatched RS and Crumpton kit blends perfectly. Coincidence? I think not. Great minds think alike.

BTW, I think I overheard these two talking about a frame collaboration at Ballers!!*






It's now on the internet so it must be true.

[Too Tall]

All kidding and man loving aside I've got something to say about what Nic does.

He builds wicked bad arse bicycles with no compromise. NONE. Dot period.

A Crumpton made for TT is the only carbon that will ever touch my a$$. I'm saving my beans.

PS The pastrami was pretty freaking lovely too. One wonders what the man could do on his home turf...hmmm.

[Lionel]

Nick does not have enough carbon to make a top tube long enough for you

[sk_tle]

Nick, many people would say sacrilege, but do you have any plan to offer a disc version of your bikes ? A disc version of the corsa team would totally rock atmo.

[progetto]

Nick,
Now that you have brought everything in house, have you acquired a plotter for cutting your fabric and if so what type of learning curve was it to get up to speed?

[crumpton]

Nick, many people would say sacrilege, but do you have any plan to offer a disc version of your bikes ? A disc version of the corsa team would totally rock atmo.

Not at this time. Always keeping my eye on developments in the industry and watching this one closely but i personally haven't felt the need to put disc on my primarily race/performance focused road bikes.

Nick,
Now that you have brought everything in house, have you acquired a plotter for cutting your fabric and if so what type of learning curve was it to get up to speed?

Not enough volume of cutting going on here to justify this. proper cutters are in the $50k plus range and are saddled with expensive maintenance contracts as they do tend to go down a lot. Must cutting for our purposes is straight cuts, no contours. Easily done with stainless guides, rules, HUGE cutting mat and sharp blades.