From West to East in the North

[rockyrider]

In Vancouver we have DeKerf Cycles (http://www.dekerf.com/products.asp), Knolly Bikes (http://www.knollybikes.com/about/philosophy.aspx) and Peyto Cycles (http://www.peytocycles.com/product/ridiculight-xc-mountain-bike-frame/). On Vancouver Island there's Everti Titanium bikes (http://www.evertibikes.com/mountain.htm).

In Kitchener they've got True North (http://www.truenorthcycles.com/frames/frames.asp) bikes.

In Quebec they've got Xprezo Bikes (http://www.xprezo.ca/en/xprezo_prod_sub5.html).

The spirit of small production and custom built hand made bikes is alive and well in Canada.

[north20]

Is DeKerf still around ? I know DeKerf himself left at the very least to "pursue other interests".

And just for thumbs up sake, I have to give props to the Canadian builders; some seriously nice stuff. Almost bought a DeKerf instead of my Curtlo, and I've seen a couple Peytos and Knollys that inspired more than a little bike lust :)

[LeeMcGough]

Just played with the DeKerf site. Um, they want $2700 for a steel 29 ebb with Rohloff dropouts. Pretty damn pricey... for a frame only! So you would probably want a nice wheelset for that, and the Rohloff, probably a Fox fork, some Martas. Holy Crap!!!! I didn't even choose the custom geometry option. A mere $800 more, I beleive. I would need a second job. And a third. Then I wouldn't be able to ride it, except maybe on the commute to my many jobs:(

[north20]

Just played with the DeKerf site. Um, they want $2700 for a steel 29 ebb with Rohloff dropouts. Pretty damn pricey... for a frame only! So you would probably want a nice wheelset for that, and the Rohloff, probably a Fox fork, some Martas. Holy Crap!!!! I didn't even choose the custom geometry option. A mere $800 more, I beleive. I would need a second job. And a third. Then I wouldn't be able to ride it, except maybe on the commute to my many jobs:(


When I looked at DeKerfs, they were still within the realm of the sane price wise. Still almost double what I paid for a custom Curtlo frame ... this was just before the turn of the century, though :rolleyes:

[rockyrider]

Chris Dekerf had planned to hang up the welding helmet, but changed his mind in February (http://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=2308).

The paint jobs on Dekerf bikes are just stunning. Getting a Dekerf is very much like commissioning a sculpture, and has that kind of cachet and cash requirement. The high prices reflect the stupendous rise in the cost of living out here in the past few years. You can't afford to be a starving artist frame builder in Vancouver, otherwise, well... you'd starve.

I had a frame painted there a couple of years ago, and it was just Chris and his painter that were there.

[north20]

Ah, hadn't caught the update; maybe he didn't find any other interesting pursuits ? :p

Anyhow, I couldn't agree more on the paint jobs. And having ridden one his frames -- albeit long ago now -- I certainly believe he knows what he's doing with a torch. Having said that, though, his stuff is now priced in the realm of the ridiculous. He's not the only one pricing this way, but I have serious doubts it's going to ride 3 to 4x better than my Curtlo ( current pricing structure for custom work ).

[mimbresman]

A friend in El Paso, TX has an older DeKerf soft tail in his quiver of bikes. This friend is a PhD metallergist who's done a lot of classified work for the government. My buddy knows metal, and he loves his DeKerf. Definately a sweet bike.

[K-Man]

A friend in El Paso, TX has an older DeKerf soft tail in his quiver of bikes. This friend is a PhD metallergist who's done a lot of classified work for the government. My buddy knows metal, and he loves his DeKerf. Definately a sweet bike.

I'd be interested to know your friend's take on titanium bikes.

[mimbresman]

K-Man,
I PMed you a response.

[K-Man]

MM,

Thanks, got it. Much appreciated.

KM

[mimbresman]

Hey Rocky,
Did DeKerf make a bike with a steel front triangle and Ti rear triangle with a soft tail (YBB-like system) a few years ago? K-Man and I were just wondering about that. I think that's the system my El Paso buddy has. If I remember right, Ti chainstays are bonded to hollow stubs on the BB and the YBB interface is the transition for the steel to Ti.
MM

[rockyrider]

Dekerf did make a soft-tail with a steel/Ti bonded frame, I'm not sure what the last production date was. I pretty sure that the chainstays were Ti and everything else was steel. These are the pics I could find on Google image search that had a good shot of the rear end.

The Dekerf has a gallery with a bunch of construction shots. It certainly helps make it obvious why these bikes are like the Boyd Coddington hot rod of bikes (except without a crew of buffoons slapping them together at the last minute).

[mimbresman]

Dekerf did make a soft-tail with a steel/Ti bonded frame, I'm not sure what the last production date was. I pretty sure that the chainstays were Ti and everything else was steel. These are the pics I could find on Google image search that had a good shot of the rear end.

The Dekerf has a gallery with a bunch of construction shots. It certainly helps make it obvious why these bikes are like the Boyd Coddington hot rod of bikes (except without a crew of buffoons slapping them together at the last minute).

When I wrote that and after I published it, I was thinking it was just the chainstays.

Yep those pictures look familiar. The El Paso bike is like that but different color.

[steel-s-real]

Always liked those bikes....I had achance of ridding a Moots YBB for some time....Crazy climbing bike, alittle wippy at high speeds...

A nice steel front end would make a perfect xc stlile frame !!!!!

Saludos

[Cyclenaut]

DeKerf also made the Canadian Spot bikes, before the company was sold to the US contingent.

[Tman]

Those bikes have always been eye candy!

[MMcG]

They guy who was Peyto now lives in the US - Connecticut actually.

[rockyrider]

That's ironic as Matt Chester moved to Hamilton, ON. Must be part of the free-trade thing.

[bafc23]

... the Boyd Coddington hot rod of bikes (except without a crew of buffoons slapping them together at the last minute).

THANK YOU! That show aughta reduce Boyd's order list by a factor of 10. His jalopies might be mighty bling, but I wouldn't drive one for a million bucks after watching team hoopty slap them together - and his tired schtick of overworking his employees on unrealistic deadlines - oh so savvy.

ok, back to the custom craft.

[rockyrider]

Just came across this news tidbit...

Chris Dekerf, owner of Dekerf Cycle Innovations is pleased to announce that Michael Golinski has joined the Dekerf Cycles team. Michael has become a co-owner of Dekerf Cycles with Chris and will handle all sales and marketing functions for Dekerf Cycles. This will enable Chris to spend more time on the shop floor building the high quality titanium and steel frames that the company is so well known for worldwide.

Michael has an extensive background in the bicycle industry as former co-owner of Spot Brand Components, as well as having worked at Paul Components, Syncros and Rocky Mountain Bicycles.

Chris Dekerf has been operating Dekerf Cycle Innovations since 1990 and building hand crafted frames under the Dekerf brand since 1993.

[Tman]

Just came across this news tidbit...

Chris Dekerf, owner of Dekerf Cycle Innovations is pleased to announce that Michael Golinski has joined the Dekerf Cycles team. Michael has become a co-owner of Dekerf Cycles with Chris and will handle all sales and marketing functions for Dekerf Cycles. This will enable Chris to spend more time on the shop floor building the high quality titanium and steel frames that the company is so well known for worldwide.

Michael has an extensive background in the bicycle industry as former co-owner of Spot Brand Components, as well as having worked at Paul Components, Syncros and Rocky Mountain Bicycles.

Chris Dekerf has been operating Dekerf Cycle Innovations since 1990 and building hand crafted frames under the Dekerf brand since 1993.

VVery cool news!

[rockyrider]

Just came across this news piece on cyclingnews.com (http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=/photos/2008/tech/news/03-12/29R-3_2008_med).

Everti debuts new titanium 29er

After a full year of design work, British Columbia titanium specialist Everti has added its first 29"-wheeled mountain bike to its stable. The aptly named '29R' features a double butted top tube and seat tube for reduced weight and a livelier ride while the rest of the frame utilizes straight-gauge stock. The down tube is bi-ovalized for strength and rigidity.

In contrast to what many 29er builders are doing these days, Everti actually chooses to go with a slightly longer head tube to better distribute the stress of the longer fork. A small gusset adds further reinforcement. A decision to use full-length housing shields the derailleur cables from contaminants common to Everti's locale.

Claimed frame weight is 1500g and Everti will offer its new 29R in medium, large and extra-large sizes to suit riders from approximately 1.7m (5' 8") to 1.9m (6' 4") tall. Other sizes will carry an additional US$200 custom fitting fee. Suggested retail price for the frame only is US$1595 and Everti will also offer complete builds.

[Hand/of/Midas]

nice looking bike.

[Hand/of/Midas]

this is just ridiculous. but cool, and this guy makes axleless hubs.

http://www.bmeres.com/c-thruframe.htm

[rockyrider]

Just found a great interview with Chris Dekerf at BikeRadar (http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/interview-chris-dekerf-14624)

[mimbresman]

Just found a great interview with Chris Dekerf at BikeRadar (http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/interview-chris-dekerf-14624)

Thanks for that link. That was a good interview.

[mootsguy]

this is just ridiculous. but cool, and this guy makes axleless hubs.

That guy, Brano Meres, is brilliant. Now if he would only make those axle-less hubs available.