Vicious Homes in on 650B

Although their top seller is a 29” wheel single speed mountain bike, Vicious is investing in the resurgent 650B wheel standard, made popular by the retrodriven interest in old-style city bikes.

“We’re hearing about a lot of interest in this wheel size, and for us it’s exciting to have something in between a 26” and a 29” wheel. It has the acceleration of a smaller wheel, and the smooth rolling of a larger wheel. Also, it gives us a lot more versatility in getting the fit just right,” explained Patrick Giltiam, a machinist for Vicious Cycles.

The 650B standard is popular as well with randonneuring riders and touring cyclists, said Giltiam.

Paul Skilbeck

New Framebuilders’ Collective

An influential new organization has emerged from the ranks of handmade frame builders.

According to a press release issued 26 February, eight frame builders from three countries have spent the last 24 months working together to create an international organization which they hope can strengthen the trade, pay homage to its past, and work towards ensuring that its future is bright and profitable.

The Framebuilders’ Collective includes Curt Goodrich, Sacha White, Nick Crumpton, Dave Kirk, Carl Strong, Dario Pegoretti, Darrell McCulloch and Richard Sachs.

A website www.framebuilders.org provides information about the group’s mission statement and an FAQ list.

The press release adds: “All founding members are enthusiastic about the Collective’s potential and are now looking forward to finally being a public entity after two years of planning. Efforts are underway to expand the names involved so that the Framebuilders’ Collective will be a true representation of the talent and the commitment that is part and parcel of the professional frame-building trade.”

The new collective will build on work started by NAHBS to raise standards in the industry.

Paul Skilbeck and Naomi Szczesiul