Dekerf Cycle Innovations Closing Its Doors

[zank]

Another sad loss to the framebuilding world....

http://www.frameforum.net/forum2/index.php?showtopic=2159

From Frameforum.net

Dekerf Cycle Innovations Closing Its Doors
Courtesy Chris Dekerf

After 17 years of building some of the finest handmade bicycles in the world, Dekerf Cycle Innovations will be closing its doors in January of 2007. The company has hand-made well over 5000 bicycle frames during its history and distributed them into 13 different countries worldwide. The company has produced immaculately crafted frames in steel, titanium, and aluminum and for virtually every type of use. Over the years Dekerf bicycle frames have received more than 50 glowing editorial reviews from almost every major bicycle magazine worldwide. Mike Ferrentino once described the Dekerf frame he had just tested as "the best handling bike in the world". Most recently a Dekerf single speed was featured in the June 2006 issue of the Robb Report Collection - Grand Machines. The frames have been raced by countless athletes including Andreas Hestler as Dekerf provided one of his first team sponsorships. The legendary pierced; interlocking wishbone design has become a trademark of all Dekerf frames. And as those who attended will surely attest, Dekerf threw some of biggest and most memorable parties in the bike industry! It marks the end of a very special bicycle company that produced a very special product.

Although the company continues to flourish, Chris Dekerf, the founder and sole owner of the company wishes to close this chapter gracefully and seek other opportunities within the bicycle industry. "After 17 years the time has come for me to try something new. Building Dekerf bicycle frames has been hugely rewarding in so many ways and the decision to wrap up this business has certainly not been easy. But the time has come for me to learn some new things and perhaps try working for, or with, other people. At this time I have no specific plans of what I will be doing next, and am excited about what opportunities may present themselves. I wish to thank all our customers for their support over the years. I wish to thank the many key people that worked with me here at Dekerf, as well as the extremely supportive bicycle media, and suppliers. And of course I would like to thank my family and good friends for all their support as well."

[saab2000]

I have never heard of Dekerf. But at least it was good to read that he is closing it not because of lack of business.

[xlbs]

They are known Canada for producing elegantly built frames. Sad to see them close, but it sounds like it is good timing for them.

[Grant McLean]

Despite the long commitment to building frames in Canada, DeKerf is not
that well known here. Eclipsed by the "north shore" style riding in the West,
and road bikes and cross country mtb's in the East, Dekerf struggled to
maintain their early 90's image as a homegrown premium fabricator.

Their signature seatstay treatment:

http://www.dekerf.com/elysium.php

P.S - one other nice detail was that it was common to see a dekerf mtb built up
with a matching painted RockShox fork. In the 90's, that was cool.

g

[pdonk]

It is a sad day, I had hoped to get this tuning fork for my mountain bike, and had really dreamed of getting his ubique road frame.

This link shows the care he took in building

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=18459

Here are a few pictures of mine

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=10250&highlight=dekerf

I had hoped to get mine repainted this year in his signature fast orange. Guess I'll have to get the paint code before he closes.

I have only ever seen a handful of his frames other than mine in person and have never seen another 21 inch frame.

[bostondrunk]

Doesn't exactly look like a high quality frame.....
Then again, people love the Pegoretti's with toothpaste welds...


http://www.dekerf.com/prodigy_scc.php

[sspielman]

Doesn't exactly look like a high quality frame.....
Then again, people love the Pegoretti's with toothpaste welds...


http://www.dekerf.com/prodigy_scc.php

..ouch....

[Brian Smith]

their mtb seatstays were inspiring in the early 90s...it's hard to imagine that today.
the product seemed good as of spring, maybe they got too large for their own abilities.

[Jeff Weir]

When I was into mountain biking...way back when, Dekerf and Bontrager really appealed to me. Ended up going with a Bontrager (no regrets at all), but always thought Dekerfs rear stay design was killer.

[d_douglas]

That's too bad. These are gorgeous frames on par with Seven, IF, Sycip, Serotta, etc. His welding and finishing is phenomenal. His paint is as good as it gets for looks, but fragile as hell.

I hope his less than subtle suggestion that he is looking for opportunities to collaborate with others will be acted upon, as he is truly a master builder.

I wish I had a photo of my long gone road bike to poste as proof, but alas, it has disappeared!

[Gat64]

I believe they used to make a very cool YBBish soft-tail. The frame was unique in that the rear stays were Ti and the rest of the frame was steel. They also had a very unique sense of colour... I had alsways lusted after one... until I got my CST!!!

[billrick]

I believe they used to make a very cool YBBish soft-tail. The frame was unique in that the rear stays were Ti and the rest of the frame was steel. They also had a very unique sense of colour... I had alsways lusted after one... until I got my CST!!!


I think that was the DeKerf Team ST. I drooled over one of those myself at a bike shop in Orange Co. back in 1998. Really remarkable craftmanship. But the Ti seatstays were bonded (not welded) to the frame and there were reports of the things coming apart. If I ever run across a used steel DeKerf SS, I'll probably pick it up. They were unique and I'm sorry to see them go!

[cpg]

Doesn't exactly look like a high quality frame.....
Then again, people love the Pegoretti's with toothpaste welds...


http://www.dekerf.com/prodigy_scc.php


Show me an example of a toothpaste weld.


Curt

[dirtdigger88]

BBDave- they have your frame

and one after my heart as well

Jason

[d_douglas]

Sad that I couldn't find the image of the Dekerf Prodigy with Reynolds 853 tubing, I had another look on my EHD and voila!! Here it is.

The rear pierced, interlocking seatstay is his signature - very similar to Sycip's approach - they are about the same age, so I am not sure who did it first. I have owned both and I would say the DK was of finer quality - though the Sycips are a bit more stylish.

As I had mentioned, these things are incredibly finely built, unique and high performance. On the West Coast of Canada, they are legendary from a performance perspective, but are known worldwide for their attention to detail.

Again, sad that he is closing his shop, but good luck to him in other pursuits.

[Marcusaurelius]

Despite the long commitment to building frames in Canada, DeKerf is not
that well known here. Eclipsed by the "north shore" style riding in the West,
and road bikes and cross country mtb's in the East, Dekerf struggled to
maintain their early 90's image as a homegrown premium fabricator.

Their signature seatstay treatment:

http://www.dekerf.com/elysium.php

P.S - one other nice detail was that it was common to see a dekerf mtb built up
with a matching painted RockShox fork. In the 90's, that was cool.

g


Maybe it's just the east coast thing but everyone on the west coast knows who Dekerf is. A Dekerf is by far the most sought after mountain bike frame here and for good reason since all the local manufacturers moved to taiwan (and china) several years ago.

[crossjunkee]

I thought Rocky Mountain still made a few frame models in Canada???

[davids]

Doesn't exactly look like a high quality frame.....
Then again, people love the Pegoretti's with toothpaste welds...


http://www.dekerf.com/prodigy_scc.php
Here's a bike with some nice, smooth welds for you, Mr. Drunk: Q-Pro XX (http://www.kleinbikes.com/us/road_bikes/06_q-pro/q-pro_xx/index.html)

[pdonk]

Maybe it's just the east coast thing but everyone on the west coast knows who Dekerf is. A Dekerf is by far the most sought after mountain bike frame here and for good reason since all the local manufacturers moved to taiwan (and china) several years ago.

When I lived in the atlantic provincs, I only saw 1 other dekerf. From talking to people, there was mine and one other one.

In Ontario, not much better, at the races and events I go to I have only seen a handful.

As for Rocky, yes they still build here, but the sale of the company to procycle kind of hurt their image for awhile, plus the price points are a bit funky for what you get. Even though I have my dekerf and brodie, I still want a blizzard.

[dnades]

this is an old thread but I'd thought I'd add my two cents. I've got a team st dekerf and the rear stays are not titanium. they are supposed to be but I put a magnet on them and unless a magnet sticks to ti they are definitely a steel of some sort. Pretty sure it is welded and not bonded to the bottom bracket. No issues, very comfortable ride. Bike is very springy, feels almost alive- when you get on her she just wants to GO- if you know what I mean. Very light (somewhere in the low twenties). I don't know if it is the steel(853) or what but I am pretty sure it will be my last MTB. :D

[DarkStar]

Dekerf are not shutting down operations. According to their website they have had a change of heart and will remain open for business.
Awesome frames, if I did not already own a Yeti FRO, a Dekerf would be on my short list.
RockyMountain highend frames were built by Dekerf.

http://www.dekerf.com/

[TMB]

Dekerf are not shutting down operations. According to their website they have had a change of heart and will remain open for business.
Awesome frames, if I did not already own a Yeti FRO, a Dekerf would be on my short list.
RockyMountain highend frames were built by Dekerf.

http://www.dekerf.com/

Chris worked at Rocky Mountain for years back when it was still Rocky Mountain.

[Steelhead]

Love DeKerf - this thread has sparked new interest... hmm, a clever ploy maybe ?? :)

[rlee1612]

I'm almost done resurrecting a ~2000 Dekerf Team ST.

Shimano 8-sp XTR Group
Chris King Headset
Fox F100 RLT fork (no canti studs so had to use Hayes MX3 Disc Brake in front)
XT V-Brake Rear (no cable hanger for Canti Brakes in rear)
Mavic Crossride wheels - Able to use disc and rim brakes
Thompson Stem
Easton Carbon HB
WTB saddle (not shown)
XTR Pedals

[Louis]

Able to use disc and rim brakes

Wow - now all you need is a some sort of controller (hooked up to a wheel rotation sensor) and you can have ABS rear - the fanciest cycling brakes around! ;)

[rlee1612]

Great idea! I'll have Chris weld on some disc brake tabs in rear and i'll have the dual braking system set up!