Know the rules The Paceline Forum Builder's Spotlight


Go Back   The Paceline Forum > General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-01-2019, 07:13 AM
Tom Kellogg's Avatar
Tom Kellogg Tom Kellogg is offline
Questionable User
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: East Central Pa
Posts: 425
Exclamation Spectrum cycles nearing the end of the road

RELEASE 03/01/2019:

After a combined 80 years of building frames and bicycles, Tom Kellogg and Jeff Duser of Spectrum Cycles have decided to close up shop. Orders for new bicycles will be taken until July 31st of this year, and once those builds are complete, Tom Kellogg and Jeff Duser are stepping away from their passion of making beautiful bicycles. Not one more Spectrum Cycles frame will be built.

Tom began building bicycles in 1976. Not only is that a lot of experience and a lot of frames, but it is also a lot of time at the bench. We are proud of what we have accomplished over the last four decades and appreciate the countless years of joy that our work has provided for thousands of cyclists. We are honored that so many people have put their trust in us, given us an opportunity to work for them and to make a living doing what we love.

It is nearly time for us to walk away from our work. And that is the plan: to walk away from the bench without regret. We won't sell the business. When we hang up the torch, put down our last file and shoot our last coat of clear, we're done.

There is now only one chance left to get a new Spectrum frame. We are taking orders for custom steel and titanium frames for the next five months. We will then close our order book and take as long as we need to complete those orders. We are not limiting the number of orders, but we will not accept any order after July. Don't wait. Time flies. Trust us on that.

We also have a limited number of '70s frame kits available for builds if you are interested in real mid-'70s steel frames built by folks who cut their teeth in that era. Our modern steel frames are higher-performance bicycles, but the old ones sure do look nice and feel wonderful. No one makes them at our level anymore.

As wonderful as many other modern titanium frames are, Tom has a longer legacy in modern titanium frames than anyone currently building with the material. He has been involved in every one of the modern era's titanium frame advancements and he knows how to make the material sing.

If you want one of our bicycles, this is your last chance. Hit our website and after looking things over, download the order form for the last frame we will ever build for you.

Spectrum Cycles | The Perfect Bike Does Not Exist Until We Build it for You.
610-398-1986
__________________
Tom Kellogg
Spectrum Cycles, inc.
FRAMEBUILDERS COLLECTIVE
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-01-2019, 07:21 AM
AngryScientist's Avatar
AngryScientist AngryScientist is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: northeast NJ
Posts: 34,124
Wow Tom, congratulations!

The Merlin i got way back when with your name on the chainstay is what really made me understand what a well designed bike was all about, and was my introduction to great bicycles, it remains the gold standard for how a bike should ride and handle.

The number of smiles you guys have put on people's faces over the years must be the best part of the job. Enjoy you're "retirement" and whatever the next adventure brings Tom!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-01-2019, 07:48 AM
Lionel Lionel is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Aix en Provence
Posts: 1,927
Congrats Tom. Awesome career. My Spectrum is a truly wonderful bike.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-01-2019, 08:14 AM
oldpotatoe's Avatar
oldpotatoe oldpotatoe is offline
Proud Grandpa
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Republic of Boulder, USA
Posts: 47,487
wow, first Ritchie and now Tom...the bike biz is a-changin'
__________________
Chisholm's Custom Wheels
Qui Si Parla Campagnolo
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-01-2019, 08:26 AM
OtayBW OtayBW is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: NoBaltoCo
Posts: 6,297
Yours were always one of the ones of real interest to me...but alas....!
Good luck! I'm sure you must be tired after 80 years! Wait.....
__________________
“A bicycle is not a sofa”
-- Dario Pegoretti
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-01-2019, 08:27 AM
weisan's Avatar
weisan weisan is offline
ZhugeLiang
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Back in Austin, Texas
Posts: 17,989
I currently have three Merlins and one Spectrum titanium, all designed by Tom.

Does that make me a fan?

You bet!

Run...folks, don't walk.

No fear.
__________________
🏻*
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-01-2019, 08:27 AM
Lionel Lionel is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Aix en Provence
Posts: 1,927
In all seriousness, I cannot think of what could be improved on my Spectrum Super Ti. I doubt building a better Ti bike is possible (I had a few ). If you are looking at a Ti frame buy I'd get in line asap NOW.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-01-2019, 08:49 AM
nobuseri nobuseri is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 991
Congrats for a job well done. Props!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-01-2019, 09:07 AM
Bob Ross's Avatar
Bob Ross Bob Ross is offline
Registered (ab)User
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 4,604
I don't begrudge anyone taking that well-deserved step into hard-earned retirement, and I am thrilled for Tom and Jeff. But this news still makes me sad

...mostly because it means I'll never get a custom Spectrum now.

Bravo gents, and good luck in the next chapters of your lives. Thanks for all the beautiful bikes.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-01-2019, 09:08 AM
avalonracing avalonracing is online now
Two wheels good
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Baltimore
Posts: 6,330
Wow, good for you, Tom. And thanks for the advance warning. I have some decisions to make before the end of July!
__________________
I'm riding to promote awareness of my riding
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-01-2019, 09:10 AM
Blue Jays Blue Jays is offline
Rock Hard ~ Ride Free
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: United States of America
Posts: 5,400
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Ross View Post
"...mostly because it means I'll never get a custom Spectrum now. :-( ..."
Why? You can place a deposit and put your name in the queue up to July 31, 2019.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-01-2019, 09:15 AM
Bob Ross's Avatar
Bob Ross Bob Ross is offline
Registered (ab)User
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 4,604
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue Jays View Post
Why? You can place a deposit and put your name in the queue up to July 31, 2019.
Because other than to satisfy a perverse desire for pure extravagant vanity/hoarding there's no way I can justify ordering a new bike this year...or, frankly, any time in the next ~10 years.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03-01-2019, 09:21 AM
NHAero NHAero is online now
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,220
Congrats to both of you - what a long run of the best in cycling! Every one of your products I've seen is stunning. A good friend nearby has a Cyrene - I've never seen anything else like it.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 03-01-2019, 09:37 AM
MattTuck's Avatar
MattTuck MattTuck is offline
Classics Fan
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Grantham, NH
Posts: 12,265
Congrats.
__________________
And we have just one world, But we live in different ones
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 03-01-2019, 09:41 AM
johnniecakes's Avatar
johnniecakes johnniecakes is offline
Pack fill
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 1,647
I have ridden many derbies with Tom and there are few better guys. Congratulations on prospering through a long career in a tough business
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
custom, retirement, spectrum, steel, titanium


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:17 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.