Michael Terraferma - get in line while you can

There comes a time in every great framebuilder's career when experience reaches critical mass and recognition takes a quantum leap.

That time is now for Michael Terraferma.

Mike runs a one-man frame shop in Miami.

The interesting thing about Mike is what his day gig has been up to now: jet engine welder. I can't put my finger on it, but somehow whatever it takes to repair jet engines translates very well into what it takes to make bicycle frames. I'm thinking that it's a mixture of care and thought.

In a table published in a recent issue of Bicycle Quarterly, one of Michael's frames was the lightest frame tested to date. And if memory serves me, Jan described its ride quality as "...lovely."

And while weight is not all that import, light frames expose their flaws more readily than do heavier frames.

I called Michael today to ask if he could build a fork for a friend of mine and as we talked I learned that his waiting list has grown six-fold in the last year.

I'm ready for Mike to make me a fillet-brazed super frame and I see that I had better get my order in now if I want it to be finished any time soon.

But don't take my word for it. Call Michael and chat him up and see if you get the same sure-handed, no-nonsense feeling that I get when I talk to him.

Terraferma Cycles Inc
208 Ponce De Leon Blvd
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 444-4174

Want to paint your bike?

There's a magical little shop in New Jersey called The Color Factory.

It's run by a man named Bruce and he provides much of the magic.

For over thirty years Bruce has specialized in painting bicycle frames. And today he does it with the ease and professionalism that only comes from decades of practice.

The thing I like most about Bruce is that no matter what I ask for, his answer is always "Yes".

Today I asked him if he could: 1) mix up a batch of Kustard colored Imron, 2) paint my bike Dark Concord Blue Metallic and 3) paint a helmet Barbie Pink for me.

Yes, yes and yes, he answered.

And he knew the code number for DCBM off the top of his head.

If you want your bike painted, Bruce is your man.

Color Factory
23 Main St
Waretown, NJ 08758

Get Directions

(609) 242-0665

Leave a message. I did and he called right back.

Frustration

There's progress at the rack shop.

They're getting closer. And I don't know if that makes me happy or not. Overall I'm happy with how well they're turning out. But it's frustrating to have them be so close and at the same time to know that there's at least another month of communication and sample production time that needs to happen.

I take comfort in Lysander's words:

'...the course of true love never did run smooth.'

Group Buy

About a month ago we announced that we are offering a special price on a batch of 59cm 650B P/R frame sets.

Those frame arrive in LA today so we're taking orders now and we will start shipping them on the 12th of September.

The reason for the special price is that they were not built to spec: the down and top tubes are 31.8 instead of 28.6. Which means that these frames are a bit stiffer than the current model.

We're offering them in a couple of packages:

Frame, 30mm fork and seat clamp - this is the minimal package for $339 plus $50 shipping to addresses in the USA - options include fenders for $44, a seatpost for $19, a headset for $9 and a front cable hanger for $6



The complete package of all the items listed above PLUS shipping for $449 - this compares to the $650 that we charge for -normal- sets and shipping



To order a set please call us at 952-288-6165

And if you need wheels, please contact Anthony at Longleaf Bicycles - he specializes in 650B wheels including dyno-hub fronts and internal-gear rears:

click here to see Anthony's 650B wheel page

64cm P/R update

I got word last night that the 64s are done. This means that they will be here in about a month. But there's a hitch. Because the racks have not been totally debugged, the -new- forks (with the tabs for the lower rack attachment) have not been produced. So, if you want a -new- fork with your 64, you'll have to wait a couple months.

Once the frames go on the boat, we'll take orders.

And click on the blueprint if you want to see a larger version.

What Matthew rides

For a bike frame junkie nothing compares to the feeling that comes from slinging your leg over a frame that you've designed and had built. So for the last seven years I've been blissed out as I test each prototype Kogswell frame and fork that comes along.

Of all the framesets that we've produced , one of the sweetest ride belongs to the 559 (26") wheeled P/R shown here.

It's an ugly thing. The top tubes slopes way too much. And I think the chain stays are a little short. But I forget all that stuff when I'm in the saddle.

The tires on this bike are from Cheng Shen, the Chinese super power of bicycle rubber. They're 1.9" slicks with only tiny sipping channels. And when they're inflated just right, they float over every little road anomaly and only send up hints of what they've encountered.

The P/R geometry seems to be applicable to lots of different wheel sizes. I just spent three weeks on an older Model F which I fitted with a low-trail replacement fork. The new fork instantly improved that bike's handling and it became the best F that I'd been on.

And the other remarkable thing about the 559 P/R is that it shows what can be done if you combine the right geometry with a 559 tire. There are very few examples of good 559 road bikes, a couple of the XOs and to some extent the Atlantis.

I know that the world wants bigger wheels. But I'm going to continue to make a 559 P/R in my size and keep a couple of them around just because they're wonderful.

• the wheels on this bike were built by Jim at Hiawatha Cyclery in Minneapolis - if you need anything cycling, call Jim or Kevin, they really know their stuff (612-727-2565)
• the photos in this posting are Copyright(C), 2008, Kogswell Cycles