Handerhan CritFink - More teaser pics added 3/15

[ricardinho]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[Xrslug]

Originally Posted by Kyle h

Teaser shot from the painter.

This looks very cool — reminds me of a rat rod. ETA: duh, I wasn’t connecting the dots with the CritFink name. Anyway, loving it.

[charlieclick]

The hand-painted decals are incredible. So cool.

[AR2266]

Originally Posted by Kyle h

A few more teasers. Should be in my hands in the next few days and built up by the weekend!

This is a very unqiue graphic aesthetic, that really grabbed my interest.
Is it done by Handerhan himself?
If so, it is a significant breakthrough in his current portfolio that frankly, does not distinguish him from the competition very much.

[Kyle h]

Originally Posted by AR2266

This is a very unqiue graphic aesthetic, that really grabbed my interest.
Is it done by Handerhan himself?
If so, it is a significant breakthrough in his current portfolio that frankly, does not distinguish him from the competition very much.

I would say the aesthetic is owed mostly to the painter, who is a local guy who does motorcycles. I told Sean what my general idea was for the build, he found the painter and passed on some general reference ideas I had, Sean is the one who suggested the hand painted Columbus logo though. But you're right, his bikes aren't drastically different than others, but I would argue that you could say that about most builders; my Handerhan, English, Speedvagen, and Bishop all share a fair number of off the shelf parts and tubes, really, it's just the seat stays and paint that set most of them apart lol. He's a relatively young builder who does this as a side project, mine was around his 50th build. I think this pushed him out of his comfort zone as it was his first carbon seat mast, and his first internally routed bike, but after picking up the frame I could see he was excited and thankful to have taken on the challenge and will continue to grow as a builder. He has great attention to detail, and I didn't worry for a second about the final product.

[AR2266]

Originally Posted by Kyle h

I would say the aesthetic is owed mostly to the painter, who is a local guy who does motorcycles. I told Sean what my general idea was for the build, he found the painter and passed on some general reference ideas I had, Sean is the one who suggested the hand painted Columbus logo though. But you're right, his bikes aren't drastically different than others, but I would argue that you could say that about most builders; my Handerhan, English, Speedvagen, and Bishop all share a fair number of off the shelf parts and tubes, really, it's just the seat stays and paint that set most of them apart lol. He's a relatively young builder who does this as a side project, mine was around his 50th build. I think this pushed him out of his comfort zone as it was his first carbon seat mast, and his first internally routed bike, but after picking up the frame I could see he was excited and thankful to have taken on the challenge and will continue to grow as a builder. He has great attention to detail, and I didn't worry for a second about the final product.

Thanks for sharing this tidbit - that is a really cool painter to engage with next time.
Kudos for giving a young builder a chance to hone his craft.

I would agree with you that:
1. there is little differentiation amongst most builders especially if they source for the same components/ tubing from the usual manufacturers and parts suppliers like Paragon, Longshen-Tange, etc.

2. Yes paint with the necessary logos are ultimately what gives the finished bike an identity and soul - that's already showing in spades on yours.


However, as for builders like English and Bishop (two of whom i really admire), i do believe their attention to detail and craft is unique enough such that their work sans paint is pretty distinguishable.
Other builders that i believe show distinctive work even without paint, are E-Richie, David Kirk (but of course), Llewellyn (Darrel McCulloch) and Tomii.
I only recently chanced upon Dave Anderson's work and I'm surprised at how fine/ finely finished his stuff are, (like a cross between DK and Llewellyn plus he does a mean version of a Sachs) but he gets little mention. But i digress.

Speaking of detail, the coarse welds are not something i can live with, but it really works with the intended aesthetic/ image of the Ratrod. Congrats!

[Kyle h]

Originally Posted by AR2266

Thanks for sharing this tidbit - that is a really cool painter to engage with next time.
Kudos for giving a young builder a chance to hone his craft.

I would agree with you that:
1. there is little differentiation amongst most builders especially if they source for the same components/ tubing from the usual manufacturers and parts suppliers like Paragon, Longshen-Tange, etc.

2. Yes paint with the necessary logos are ultimately what gives the finished bike an identity and soul - that's already showing in spades on yours.


However, as for builders like English and Bishop (two of whom i really admire), i do believe their attention to detail and craft is unique enough such that their work sans paint is pretty distinguishable.
Other builders that i believe show distinctive work even without paint, are E-Richie, David Kirk (but of course), Llewellyn (Darrel McCulloch) and Tomii.
I only recently chanced upon Dave Anderson's work and I'm surprised at how fine/ finely finished his stuff are, (like a cross between DK and Llewellyn plus he does a mean version of a Sachs) but he gets little mention. But i digress.

Speaking of detail, the coarse welds are not something i can live with, but it really works with the intended aesthetic/ image of the Ratrod. Congrats!

Obviously I boiled down the frame builder comparison, was more just a response that bikes in general aren’t vastly different. I guess I just don’t get the point of your demeaning, and frankly, ****ty , tone regarding his work?

[AR2266]

Originally Posted by Kyle h

Obviously I boiled down the frame builder comparison, was more just a response that bikes in general aren’t vastly different. I guess I just don’t get the point of your demeaning, and frankly, ****ty , tone regarding his work?

hmm. that honestly was not my intention. I'm sorry you read it that way.
I really do appreciate the aesthetic.

[AR2266]

Originally Posted by Kyle h

the vision was to build a ratrod based bike; shoddy on the outside but all modern where it counts..

Look Kyle, you stated the design brief with a specific description that is the opposite of refined.

Might not be to my taste - but I'm saying it turned out well and nice while adhering to that objective.
Nothing demeaning intended whatsoever.

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by AR2266

Snip
I only recently chanced upon Dave Anderson's work and I'm surprised at how fine/ finely finished his stuff are, (like a cross between DK and Llewellyn plus he does a mean version of a Sachs) but he gets little mention. But i digress.

I had a stainless frame/fork built by Dave in 2012 (now owned by Brownhound here on PL) that is the most beautiful example of the steel frame I have ever seen. His work is impeccable, which is shown by how the brazed joints were exposed and left unpainted. He also did his own paint and finishes. His site has said he is not taking new orders for quite a while now, and he hasn't returned any emails I sent to him. I really hope he is OK and happy in whatever he is pursuing now. An amazing craftsman, with the quintessential Midwestern unassuming humility.

[XXtwindad]

What an incredibly unique frame. Can't wait to see more pics!

[XXtwindad]

Originally Posted by AR2266

Look Kyle, you stated the design brief with a specific description that is the opposite of refined.

Might not be to my taste - but I'm saying it turned out well and nice while adhering to that objective.
Nothing demeaning intended whatsoever.

I didn't perceive anything demeaning in your response at all. I thought it was a very intelligent critique.

[R3awak3n]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

I didn't perceive anything demeaning in your response at all. I thought it was a very intelligent critique.

I have to agree, nothing seemed offensive. Although I don’t agree that the people he mention have some sort of special touch, they do have some things that make their bikes different visually but bikes all ride the same for the most part if geo, material and tubbing are the same or similar. At least in my experience.

[Kyle h]

Yeah I messaged AR; an ever present reminder that internet tone comes off as you perceive it. Also probably another reminder that it’s not a good idea to surf the internet when you’ve been awake for ~24hrs and cant sleep.

[dvancleve]

I love that paint job! If you don’t mind sharing, was it in the same price range as a regular paint job from a regular bike painter? Thanks, Doug