This frame is built for a Rohloff hub, disc brakes and a Phil Wood eccentric bottom bracket.  The bb shell is fillet brazed and the rest is lugged.  The rear drop outs are from Paragon Machine Works.  They’re not really my usual style but the built in disc brake tab is handy.  The drop outs are actually two non-drive side drops but the one on the drive side has the disc brake mounts removed.  This is because the customer wants to either use this bike as either a single speed or use the Rohloff.  Das Knob will be mounted on a shifter boss on the left side of the down tube.  In the picture of the underside of the bb shell I brazed a stainless steel tube for the shifter cables to go in.  I left the tube open to make switching from Rohloff to single speed easier.  The customer can just remove the gear box from the Rohloff without disconnecting the cables.  The stainless tube will be nice if the cables rub through the paint.  The bike will have a front rack to hold a handlebar bag.  The bike will be used for commuting in MN year round.  Stainless steel fenders will be mounted too.  Shortly after taking these pictures, I sprayed primer on the frame and fork.  The customer picked it up with just primer on it.  We both wanted to have him ride it a little bit to confirm the braze on placements.  I don’t normally do that but this bike is unique and the customer is a local.  Once we’re satisfied with everything then I’ll strip the primer off and give it a real paint job.

Here’s some pictures of a still hot fillet brazed bb shell.  You will notice that the shell is for a Phil Wood eccentric bb.  The other picture is of a part that has a working name of Das Knob.  The soda can is mostly for scale.  Can you guess what Das Knob does?

While the photo is less than ideal I think it still captures the essence of the bike nicely.  The bike is a simple yet elegant road bike built with Super Record 11 parts and hand-built wheels.  Built with Sachs lugs and painted team blue.  The bike looks classic and contemporary.  That is something that I strive to do with my bikes.  I don’t want them to be viewed as some sort of throw back to the good old days.  Steel and lugs are just as relevant today as they were in the past.  I think this bike illustrates that well.

This is a frame and fork built to accommodate medium width 700c tires, fenders and carry a rear rack.  The customer wants to do some weekend touring and explore gravel roads.  The bike is not a full blown touring bike though.  So it’s intended to handle and feel proper unloaded or with a small load.  The bike will have V brakes but the customer and I decided the rear cable stop would be a nice addition.  In the future, the customer could switch to cantilevers.  If that never occurs, the cable stop is small and unobtrusive so it will go unnoticed even if never used.  The lugs are Sachs Nuovo Richie series with the points on the head tube removed.  I really like the look.  Simple yet elegant.  The bb shell and fork crown are Sachs too.  The white cutouts really pop against the blue without being too much.  I like that.

Drop outs are one of many ways for a frame builder to impart their own style, character and craft to their frames.  One of the things that I do to front drop outs is square up and angle the opening of the drop out.  It’s a very old technique that has it’s origins in racing.  Builders used to do it to speed up wheel changes.  The profiling of the tips allows the wheel to hit the slot a little easier and acts as a wedge between the axle and the quick release.  It does help but that’s splitting some fine hairs.  I like how it looks and that’s important.  Still one of my pet peeves is aesthetic considerations that negatively affect the function or performance of the bike.  My point is that this aesthetic touch comes with no disadvantage. I hesitate to blog about this because I suspect I’ll start seeing other builders doing this.  But it’s not like I invented it.  So give it a look.

A local bike racer/ad agency owner/all around good guy Peter Anderson stopped by and interviewed me.  The subsequent story was posted on his blog here-

http://fpascene.blogspot.com/2009/11/sb-insight-series-curt-goodrich.html

And here’s a few more pictures of the team racing.  I’ve had a bunch of computer issues.  My old PC died a slow death.  Without it my pictures were stuck on my camera.  Now I’ve got a MacBook and have stepped into the 21st Century. 

I’m proud to offer some Curt Goodrich clothing for sale.  This is the same clothing that the Curt Goodrich Racing Team wore in this year’s cyclocross season.  The picture shows the team in short sleeved jerseys and bibs. The clothing is made by Pactimo.  Both the jerseys and bibs are from the Pactimo Continental line.  The jerseys have a full length zipper and are a race fit cut.  The fit is snug so if one wishes for a looser fit order up one size.  The bibs are very comfortable, look great with the jersey and the overall quality is excellent. For sizing information use the Pactimo sizing chart here- http://pactimo.com/custom/pages/size_chart

Please carefully consider the sizing  before ordering because I won’t be ordering a great deal of extra sizes.

The other item that I’m proud to offer for sale are socks from Sock Guy.  Go here for sizing info- http://sockguy.com/customerservice.html These are from Sock Guy’s line of Isowool socks.  They are 75% merino wool.  If you’ve worn these socks you already know how comfortable they are in a wide range of temperatures.  If you’ve never worn these socks try them!  You might throw away all of your plastic socks.  Wool wicks moisture amazingly well thereby keeping your feet cool in the heat and warm in the cold.  Another benefit of wool is that when you sweat the material doesn’t stink like synthetics.  While I’m not advocating questionable hygienic practices, in a pinch, one can conceivably wear these socks more than once between washings without your riding partners noticing.  These socks are black which is ideal for hiding any dirt stains while the color and length make them business attire friendly.   The sock design template will show on the bottom of this post.

So here’s the nitty gritty- I will be ordering from Pactimo and Sock Guy in two weeks from today.  Mail me a check for your order or pay pal is accepted at info@curtgoodrich.com if you pay the additional pay pal fees.  On December 2, I’ll place the order with Pactimo and Sock Guy for the items that I’ve received payment for.  Both companies project a 5 week turn around.  Once I have the items then I’ll ship them out to you.

• $90 short sleeve jersey with full length zipper
• $90 bibs
• $160 long sleeve skinsuit
• $12 pair of socks.  Buy 10 pairs and get 2 additional pairs free
• $10 shipping via USPS

The States are this weekend.  Two full days of racing on November 14-15.  Here’s your opportunity to support some great local businesses while supporting the local racing scene.  Brasa will have tent full of their delicious food for sale.  Plenty of Rush River beer will be served.  Best of all, the racing will be as exciting as ever.  The Curt Goodrich racing team will be there so be sure to cheer on the riders.   For times and directions  to the event go here-

http://mcf.net/index.php?option=com_zcalendar&task=view&vmode=e&format=html&eid=52&Itemid=1

This last year has been a difficult one for me both professionally and personally.  Like everyone knows, these obstacles have a way of altering plans.  Currently I’m behind schedule in delivering frames.  For those that are in line as part of the large group order, I should be starting on those orders in two months.  I apoligize for any inconvenience.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Here’s a video of the bike that I built for Josh.  He rode his new bike in the Design Challenge and did very well in the road race.  Josh got fourth place in the 77 mile mixed terrain race.  For the Challenge, the bike was dressed a little differently.  The bike had fenders, rear rack and tail light.  These were important for the race because the riders had to carry a change of clothing and along the course pick up a box lunch and a six pack of beer all of which needed to be carried to the finish line.  Josh didn’t want the bike to be built that way after the event.  Now the bike is built the way he intends to ride it most.  Give it a look. CPG race bike video