Visit to Peter Weigles Shop

[SamIAm]

I was in Connecticut last week on business with my wife. We finished up early and gave Peter a call to see if we might pay a visit. I am lucky enough to have one of his frames and I just wanted to see where it was made and meet the man who made it.

Peter very graciously made time for us Friday morning. In fact he spent the whole morning with us. I apologize for those anxiously awaiting your Weigle. I hope we didn't throw him off schedule too much.

I remember asking Peter how long it took him to make a frame. His response "I don't know." You can tell he puts all of himself into each frame. Nothing is rushed.

He showed me a beautiful fork crown and pointed out all the details that went into it. Its construction took an entire day. I knew my frame was special, but now I know a lot more about why.

He is a perfectionist, but one who also realizes perfection is not attainable. I can now see details in frames that I would have missed before. So much knowledge and experience here.

I was struck by how youthful and fit he was. I think he is in his 50's but you could never tell it.

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit, thanks Peter.





Some of the works in progress belong to fellow forumites FlaRider (repaint of a Weigle road) and the Jerk (paint of a Tournesol with some special work on the head tube).

Here are some pictures taken inside and outside of Peter's shop. Enjoy!

[Louis]

Very cool, thanks for sharing.

[Blue Jays]

Very cool. I've always heard he has a great shop and your pictures prove it!

[Grant McLean]

Thanks for the pics....

looked like a great day to be in CT

-g

[CarlosContreros]

Thanks for sharing SamIam.....I would love to someday visit
his shop and also Tom Kellogg's as well. :cool:

Did he have a "story" 'bout how he came up
with his "frame-saver"?? :rolleyes:

[DarrenCT]

cool pix. thnx for posting.

btw,

where is the beer fridge!?!?

[e-RICHIE]

hey - where is the male picture atmo?

[Blue Jays]

CarlosContreros, you would absolutely enjoy a visit to Tom Kellogg's barn to meet with him, Jeff Duser, & Colby.
Great experience with a great guy. Take a spin to the nearby velodrome while you're out there!

[WadePatton]

Yes, always cool to see the shop/showroom of a builder--even if from afar. Thanks.

[Lifelover]

I'm hoping to take the family on a New England Vacation this summer or next.

Maybe I'll make his shop a brief stop.

[ti_boi]

That is amazing.....A great place to hang out.... :beer:

[Peter P.]

Great guy, fascinating shop, and excellent work. Fair to a fault-really doesn't charge ENOUGH for his repairs; must be the Yankee in him!

A demon on a bike, too! When he told me the story about schooling a couple unsociable guys riding high-tech bikes while he was on a literal, junk yard bike, you could hear the passion in his voice, the look on his face. He truly loves bikes.

[TACSTS]

Cool looking shop. Did it reek of framesaver? Seems appropriate that it would. ;)

[steelrider]

Thanks for the pics. Time to make a pilgrimage.

[Erik.Lazdins]

Thanks for taking the time to post the pics!

Looks like a place well worth seeing!

[CNY rider]

That's a cool pictorial.

You must have one awesome collection of handmade bicycles Sam.
Have we ever seen a family photo?

[SamIAm]

That's a cool pictorial.

You must have one awesome collection of handmade bicycles Sam.
Have we ever seen a family photo?

Let's just say I feel I have done my fair share in support of the handmade bicycle business. I have paired down my collection to the best of the best in my opinion.

In alphabetical order of course:

Curt Goodrich
Mariposa
Sachs (incoming, soon I hope)
Weigle

When I get the Sachs the family will be complete and it will be picture time.

I did drive by Sachs shop in Chester. Here is a pic.

[myette10]

Great Weigle pictorial. That white bike is purty and makes me dream of white bikes.

[dave1215]

sam, thanks for the photos.

i had the privilege of seeing peter a couple of times last year during a project he did for me. i enjoyed (and benefited from) each and every minute of the interaction.

jpw = master craftsman

there is so much content in his product.

[mister]

the white timetrial bike is awesome.

[amg]

Cool pics! Thanks for sharing!

[coylifut]

I hear that e-RICHIE runs up that hill behind his house with a log drapped perched atop his shoulders while listening to Madonna sing "Crazy for you." It's all so Vision Quest.

[FlaRider]

Thanks for posting the wonderful pictures of Peter's workshop. It appears that my repaint is almost done :rolleyes:

[cpg]

Great pictures. I wish my shop looked that awesome. Some day. Sounds like you had a great visit.

Curt

[Johny]

I was struck by how youthful and fit he was. I think he is in his 50's but you could never tell it.



Oh you mean that young man.

Mike Barry Senior is another inspiration. e-richie, too, except for the hair part...

[Fixed]

bro you have nice wife to put up with the stop for bikes imho
cheers

[Gothard]

Great pics.
He is on my list of "must-own-before-I-am-too-old" bikes. The list is short.

[conorb]

Thanks for the pictures and report.

What a great way to spend a Friday morning. :cool:

conorb

[SamIAm]

bro you have nice wife to put up with the stop for bikes imho
cheers

I think I have a great wife too. The good part is she is not just putting up with it, she is into it as well. She is five months pregnant so she is not riding much these days. She says that is the hardest part about being pregnant.

[Pete Serotta]

Thanks....He and Richard are two of my favorite builders....The finished bike is a work of art (like a fine watch BUT far more fun.....)

[Fixed]

bro we are lucky to have a lot of hip bike builders here ...thanks for keepin the torch burning imho
cheers

[palincss]

Great pics.
He is on my list of "must-own-before-I-am-too-old" bikes. The list is short.

Better get on his list now, because as long as it is, just about everybody is in danger of being "too old" by the time their turn comes...

[jmewkill]

stirs my loins.