Product.

Alex B.
Originally uploaded by mapcycles

Finally got around to building up Alex's bike. This kind of build can test the patience, with fenders, rack, lighting all having to work together. It's a delicate balance and I cannot express how important the pre-paint mock build-up is for dialing it all in. It's rewarding to see this kind of bike when it's done, having started as a sketch on a piece of paper. Hopefully the bike lives up to the idea that inspired it.

Alex B.

Alex B.
Originally uploaded by mapcycles

Alex's bike is just about done. A few braze-ons and it will be ready for the painter. The last few days I've been working on the custom front rack that will be used daily with low-rider panniers, but with an upper platform for odd loads or even a handlebar bag. This should be a really versatile rack, and being designed as an integral part of the front end geometry, it will be comfortable and steer predictably loaded or not. I'm really excited to get this bike painted and built. Next will be a mixte for Heidi with a custom rear rack.

Currently...

Alex B.
Originally uploaded by mapcycles

Plugging away at Alex's commuter and it's shaping up nicely. Getting ready for the Oregon Manifest show Oct. 10-12 which should be quite a production. This photo shows the stays blended into the seatlug - a look I really like. If you're in Portland the weekend of the show make sure to come by my booth and say hello. Next week I'll be working on bridges and braze-ons and a custom rack for Alex's bike.

Metallurgy

Alex B.
Originally uploaded by mapcycles

Just out of the soak tank, wish I could preserve it in this state. So much better than paint. With the main triangle complete now it's onto lug thinning and the rear triangle.

Fresh start

It's been a while since I've posed anything here. If you've checked my flicker photostream then you know I've been keeping busy, but I have definitely been slacking when it comes to documenting build processes, which is why I started this blog. So, I thought I'd make a fresh start and try to document the bike I just started. Alex wanted hand carved lugs and pretty much gave me free reign with the look. These started off as Pacenti lugs and the final shape is very simple, reminicent of the shapes of a prominent french builder but...well, different. I feel like I've taken what I like about the original shape and made it my own, have a look:

A happy customer...

Natalie got a her new bike today and seems pretty happy about it. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Next up is a fillet-brazed 650B gravel road bike with disk brakes, Alfine group, saddlebag, and twin-plate fork crown.

new site

It's been a long time coming, but last night www.mapbicycles.com finally went from being a static placeholder to a bona fide website. There will be a lot added in the way of new bikes as time goes on, but there is a lot of information there now about what I do. Check it out and tell me what you think.