halaburt
Retro Guru
So this is a fun project that JUST got completed. It started about 18 months ago. I'm a big fan/collector of handmade bikes from northern California builders... especially Cunningham, Potts, WTB. But I've always had lots of admiration for Ibis, Salsa and many others.
About a 18-24 months ago, an Ibis Scorcher came up on eBay in a size (large) that I thought might work for me. It was in pretty sweet original condition. Scorchers are kinda whacky bikes -- but there's a great story that goes with them and for Ibis aficionados they're something pretty special. Here's the one I bought: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... p;t=201931 It's currently up in August rBoTM (vote early and often!).
It turned out there were 2 big problems with the Scorcher:
- It was too small for me -- I'm 6'5" (1.95m) tall.
- The parts it's built with are pretty much crap. And I mean the original parts spec. Chainline is bad, most of the parts weren't designed for fixed-gear or off-road use. It looks pretty, but really doesn't work very well.
Now, bubbling around in the back of my head is a desire to get a new bike from one of the newer/current generation of NorCal builders. I love them all (Inglis, Sycip, Soulcraft, Falconer, etc.)... but Retrotecs (Inglis'es) had always really captured my imagination. I love the shape/look of my Merin Newsboy... and the Curtis (Inglis) has really taken that concept to a whole new level: http://www.ingliscycles.com/retrotec.php
The idea: Have Curtis make me a new bike that was:
- Functionally a "Scorcher" (single speed, fixed-gear, on/off-road tires). But with rock-solid, top-of-the-line components designed for this use.
- Aesthetically a super pure/special Retrotec. ALL fillet-brazed, and with a sweet Russ Pickett paint job.
The result:
I'll make a few additional posts here highlighting the build spec and some of the more interesting/cool details.
About a 18-24 months ago, an Ibis Scorcher came up on eBay in a size (large) that I thought might work for me. It was in pretty sweet original condition. Scorchers are kinda whacky bikes -- but there's a great story that goes with them and for Ibis aficionados they're something pretty special. Here's the one I bought: http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... p;t=201931 It's currently up in August rBoTM (vote early and often!).
It turned out there were 2 big problems with the Scorcher:
- It was too small for me -- I'm 6'5" (1.95m) tall.
- The parts it's built with are pretty much crap. And I mean the original parts spec. Chainline is bad, most of the parts weren't designed for fixed-gear or off-road use. It looks pretty, but really doesn't work very well.
Now, bubbling around in the back of my head is a desire to get a new bike from one of the newer/current generation of NorCal builders. I love them all (Inglis, Sycip, Soulcraft, Falconer, etc.)... but Retrotecs (Inglis'es) had always really captured my imagination. I love the shape/look of my Merin Newsboy... and the Curtis (Inglis) has really taken that concept to a whole new level: http://www.ingliscycles.com/retrotec.php
The idea: Have Curtis make me a new bike that was:
- Functionally a "Scorcher" (single speed, fixed-gear, on/off-road tires). But with rock-solid, top-of-the-line components designed for this use.
- Aesthetically a super pure/special Retrotec. ALL fillet-brazed, and with a sweet Russ Pickett paint job.
The result:
I'll make a few additional posts here highlighting the build spec and some of the more interesting/cool details.
I'd need a scaffold to reach that saddle 
