Kirk Frameworks

[feynman]

They look amazing. Congrats on the anniversary, and best wishes for the next 100.

[David Kirk]

Good morning - thanks for the questions.

Here's some answers for you -

- I'm not sure which photo above you are referring to so I don't know the size. That said building an Onesto to fit you should not be a problem. We'd need to get into the nitty gritty to know for sure how it would be configured but I can see no reason it wouldn't work out.

- I can't offer disc brakes on a stainless fork. The stainless blades are not designed to deal with the huge asymmetric loads put into a fork with disc brakes. We could build you a painted steel fork that will work with discs and pair that with the stainless frame but I'm not sure that is the way to go...at 5'3" I can't imagine you weigh much and the disc fork is going to be heavier and considerably stiffer than you want/need it to me for the best ride quality. If you are not trying to use the largest possible tire you might consider a rim brake. The rim brakes are lighter and the fork can be made lighter (and more importantly) more supple which in your case would be a high priority given your light weight. I'm finding that the vast majority of my work is now rim brake (short reach for tires up to 30 mm and medium reach for tires up to 38mm) because the bike ends up with a sweeter ride and it weighs less. A win-win.

- I do not offer any internal routing on the Onesto. The tubes are very thin, and the butts are very short, to give the best ride quality and I would not sleep at night knowing huge holes have been put in the tubes so the cables can go inside.




I think it's awesome that you have found way your way back to the bike. I had a similar path a long time ago where life and health kept me away. Finding my way back as been one of the best things for me and my mental and physical health. Enjoy the ride!


dave

Originally Posted by Burnette

I really like the look of bare stainless, the purity of it, the shine, it appeals to my OCPD side. A tool to do the work, and a beautiful tool it is.

I'm back on the bike after life took me away from it and I'm enjoying the journey back to riding fitness. It's also rekindled my interest in bike forums and bike builders. I came across the photos above and yes, stainless steel frames are still a draw for me.

A few questions if I may... what size is the frame in the pictures above? I'm short (5" 3") and that looks to be a small size frame. I like the level top tube and believe that straight rear seat stays like in the photos would be sufficient with the current wide rim/tires.

I noticed on your site that you made a blue traditional steel bike with a steel fork and disc brakes. Can a Onesto be bought with a stainless steel fork and hydraulic disk brakes for spirited road riding only (I don't go off road/gravel ride)? I would imagine doing internal routing of the lines in the fork would be hard to do, but would look better if possible.

I appreciate hand made things, especially when done to such a high level. Happy to see so many builders are continuing to find an audience out there. Thank you for your time.

[David Kirk]

I'm pleased to be able to slide Anniversary bike number 20.3 into a box and send it off to my paint partner Joe Bell.

My hands will get a short break with a "normal" build before they start crafting another 20th bike. But right now I'm going for a ride.

dave

[Turkle]

I would love to see one of these anniversary bikes painted!

[David Kirk]

Originally Posted by Turkle

I would love to see one of these anniversary bikes painted!

Me too - they are getting large in JB's windshield at this point.

dave

[rbtmcardle]

So look forward to it finished... will be clearing out a few bikes from the garage, so I can keep this side by side with the 20th.

(I know its taboo to take a non drive pic, but how else to get the signature tag?!?)

Screenshot 2023-09-06 at 3.55.47 PM

Originally Posted by David Kirk

I'm pleased to be able to slide Anniversary bike number 20.3 into a box and send it off to my paint partner Joe Bell.

My hands will get a short break with a "normal" build before they start crafting another 20th bike. But right now I'm going for a ride.

dave

[David Kirk]

Originally Posted by rbtmcardle

So look forward to it finished... will be clearing out a few bikes from the garage, so I can keep this side by side with the 20th.

(I know its taboo to take a non drive pic, but how else to get the signature tag?!?)

Screenshot 2023-09-06 at 3.55.47 PM

Seeing your 10th Anniversary bike in a post right below your new 20th Anniversary bike makes me feel like I need to start planning for the 30th!


dave

[pdonk]

Originally Posted by David Kirk

Seeing your 10th Anniversary bike in a post right below your new 20th Anniversary bike makes me feel like I need to start planning for the 30th!


dave

Please do, so I have time to save up for one. About that time, I'll definitely "need" a new bike.

Unless of course, someone who gets a 20 rides a 59ish sized bike with a "short" headtube and wants to sell it sooner.

[eljayski]

Campy grupo and wheels . . . righteous ride!

[AngryScientist]

Very nice eljay! I'm a big fan of red road bikes. Looks fast!

[d_douglas]

is that a dropper/bouncy post?!?!?!?! That must be a first on a Kirk?

[rccardr]

So, after chatting with Dave at Cino 2021 had been contemplating a Kirk build when the infamous 20th Anniversary e- mail hit my inbox. Immediately sent a response to Dave saying I’d love to have a 20th if not already claimed by a prior customer. Lo and behold, I wound up with the only frame for a newbie.

Mine will be labeled #2, but perhaps made after the others. And it will be…different. Not weird, just different.

[eljayski]

Originally Posted by d_douglas

is that a dropper/bouncy post?!?!?!?! That must be a first on a Kirk?

I've taken enough grief for the seat post that I ordered a Miche superpost.

When the bike came from DK, we'd overlooked the seat post and the dropper thing was all the LBS had in stock.

Soon, life will be perfect again.

[donevwil]

Originally Posted by rccardr

So, after chatting with Dave at Cino 2021 had been contemplating a Kirk build when the infamous 20th Anniversary e- mail hit my inbox. Immediately sent a response to Dave saying I’d love to have a 20th if not already claimed by a prior customer. Lo and behold, I wound up with the only frame for a newbie.

Mine will be labeled #2, but perhaps made after the others. And it will be…different. Not weird, just different.

SOOOOOO jealous!! Looking forward to a full writeup.

[d_douglas]

Originally Posted by eljayski

I've taken enough grief for the seat post that I ordered a Miche superpost.

When the bike came from DK, we'd overlooked the seat post and the dropper thing was all the LBS had in stock.

Soon, life will be perfect again.

Ha ha - no judgement (well, maybe a bit!) - whatever gets people riding bikes is what's fine with me.