Kirk Frameworks

[David Kirk]

Originally Posted by roguedog

Curious Dave.. I see many of the bikes on here in larger sizes and rarely see smaller sizes. Do your customers skew more towards the larger/taller end of the spectrum as opposed to "industry norm" bell curve or does it also follow the bell curve?

My real question is.. how likely I might find one of your smaller bikes (46 or 48ish st x 50/51 tt) out there in the wild for sale

Still feeling the sting of missing that one small one that was posted in the deals thread.

I'm so sorry for such a late reply. I somehow didn't see your message/question. I apologize.

I think my builds probably pretty much follow the size bell curve with lots of mid sized bikes and fewer on the smaller or larger end of things. I don't build all that many in the size range you have in mind so the chance of coming across a used one, while not impossible, is not very good.

At the risk of sounding like a high pressure sales guy - I think the only way to be sure you can get one is to have me build one just for you. Not only can we make it fit just right but we can take care of all the little details that really make the frame just right for you.

I wish I could point you toward someone selling a bike in your size but I don't know of anyone wanting to give theirs up. If I can help in any other way please let me know.

dave

[David Kirk]

It's the final Friday or 2022 so a good time for some #filletfriday action. Here's some stainless tubes hooked up with silver fillets from this past year.

I look forward to 2023 and making more....and celebrating my 20th year in business. That frankly seems impossible but here we are!

dave

[PaMtbRider]

Any plans you would like to share for a 20th anniversary edition?

[David Kirk]

Originally Posted by PaMtbRider

Any plans you would like to share for a 20th anniversary edition?

Thank you for the question.

I frankly don't know how to address it...I have some ideas on what I'd like to offer but my lead time right now is about 10 months or so...and that means that I'd be hard pressed to build and deliver many/any 20th Anniversary bikes in 2023.

And that feels odd. I'd be interested in hearing how you feel about it.

dave

[monkeybanana86]

I think an anniversary bike would be cool no matter when it gets completed. I build effects pedals for guitar and heck I kept number ten just because I would be thrilled to still be making them in twenty years...

We need a like function for posts! LIKE!

[PaMtbRider]

First off congratulations on 20 years of building under your own brand name. Being too busy with regular orders to build special edition bikes sounds like a good problem to have.

If you announced a run of 10 anniversary bikes to be delivered no later than 2024, I think you would easily fill the list in a very short amount of time. Having a few Kirks in the garage and being familiar with your process, I would have no problem ordering a bike during your 20th anniversary year and receiving it the following year.

If you initially opened the list to previous customers, would that reduce the amount of time you spend on the phone / answering emails during the design phase?

Is completing parts for the anniversary bikes in batches a time savings in any way? I don't think you would want to offer these as stock geometry, but does building a batch of say forks or chainstays save any significant time?

Does an unpainted Onesto take less time to finish? I can't remember if you are still doing the finish work on these in house or if Joe Bell is involved in that process.


I'm definitely interested in hearing other thoughts / ideas on how to make these happen.

[David Kirk]

Originally Posted by PaMtbRider

First off congratulations on 20 years of building under your own brand name. Being too busy with regular orders to build special edition bikes sounds like a good problem to have.

If you announced a run of 10 anniversary bikes to be delivered no later than 2024, I think you would easily fill the list in a very short amount of time. Having a few Kirks in the garage and being familiar with your process, I would have no problem ordering a bike during your 20th anniversary year and receiving it the following year.

If you initially opened the list to previous customers, would that reduce the amount of time you spend on the phone / answering emails during the design phase?

Is completing parts for the anniversary bikes in batches a time savings in any way? I don't think you would want to offer these as stock geometry, but does building a batch of say forks or chainstays save any significant time?

Does an unpainted Onesto take less time to finish? I can't remember if you are still doing the finish work on these in house or if Joe Bell is involved in that process.


I'm definitely interested in hearing other thoughts / ideas on how to make these happen.

Thank you for the detailed answer. I've been thinking along the same lines.

To answer your questions -

- there is almost zero economy of scale with my bikes. The only time savings in doing two identical bikes is the time setting up the jig and that's 10 minutes at best. The bikes are built 100% by hand with out machines to set up and tear down so everything is a complete one-off.

- there would be no stock geometry. Everything needs to be custom.

- the unpainted stainless Onesto can be a time savings but they don't work for everyone. People living close to the ocean and salt air are not best served by a unpainted stainless bike. The salt air plays havoc with the surface and it stains and looks blotchy in time. At the risk of sounding sarcastic...they call it "stain-less" and not "stain-proof" for a reason. I don't think I'd want to exclude some portion of the potential buys by only offering a stainless 20th Anniversary bike.



Thanks again for your thoughts - it's much appreciated. You've got me thinking.......

dave

[bob heinatz]

Dave I would also have no problem ordering a 20th anniversary bike in 2023 and having it ready in 2024. Keep us posted on any further developments .

[OtayBW]

I know: you're going to work as a part-time cowboy (or hitman ) on the Yellowstone/Dutton ranch!

[jcs7282]

These Onesto photos are so beautiful!

I know from trading emails with Dave a while back, there's no "written in stone" rule in terms of what level of proximity to the ocean is too close for comfort (in terms of upsetting the natural metal finish/color over time) but I am looking to hear from any owners on here about their experience in this regard.

Anyone with direct, hands-on/ownership experience of "how close is too close"?

For example, I would guess living within a mile of the ocean would probably be too close...but what about 10 miles away? 15? Where's the boundary, fully realizing that boundary is subject to moving in/out based on local climates...prevailing winds and such I would imagine can make a huge difference...

Any feedback/discussion on this is of interest...as a guy that dreams of one of these bikes!

[AngryScientist]

I would also like to add my congratulations on 20 years. That's quite an accomplishment, especially in light of how many others have entered and exited the space in that span of time. Cheers to you.

[JasonF]

Originally Posted by jcs7282

These Onesto photos are so beautiful!

I know from trading emails with Dave a while back, there's no "written in stone" rule in terms of what level of proximity to the ocean is too close for comfort (in terms of upsetting the natural metal finish/color over time) but I am looking to hear from any owners on here about their experience in this regard.

Anyone with direct, hands-on/ownership experience of "how close is too close"?

Well, I live 8 miles from the Pacific and at that distance would have had zero issues keeping my Onesto "naked." However, when I was working with Dave and Joe Bell and mentioned that I would, on occasion, ride along the PCH they both urged me to have the frame painted. I think it would be impossible to predict how quickly the finish would be affected, if at all. As Dave has written in this space, it's also a matter of how much you're willing to keep up with maintenance.

All this said, I went with paint and couldn't be happier.

[jcs7282]

Originally Posted by JasonF

Well, I live 8 miles from the Pacific and at that distance would have had zero issues keeping my Onesto "naked." However, when I was working with Dave and Joe Bell and mentioned that I would, on occasion, ride along the PCH they both urged me to have the frame painted. I think it would be impossible to predict how quickly the finish would be affected, if at all. As Dave has written in this space, it's also a matter of how much you're willing to keep up with maintenance.

This is really interesting feedback, thanks!

I probably live roughly 2-3x the distance as you to the ocean (other coast though...) but similar to you, sometimes ride along the water. And sometimes spend a week near the ocean for vacation. So, it's interesting to hear this is a consideration.

With regards to maintenance -- what does that entail? Scotchbrite/polishing? Or something more intensive?

[JasonF]

Originally Posted by jcs7282

This is really interesting feedback, thanks!

I probably live roughly 2-3x the distance as you to the ocean (other coast though...) but similar to you, sometimes ride along the water. And sometimes spend a week near the ocean for vacation. So, it's interesting to hear this is a consideration.

With regards to maintenance -- what does that entail? Scotchbrite/polishing? Or something more intensive?

Somewhere in this thread Dave discusses upkeep (Barkeepers Friend I think). I love my JB paintjob but wouldn't hesitate to try no finish and see what happens.

[herb5998]

Yes, Dave recommends Barkeepers friend.

I find a couple times a year I need to use it while cleaning with a soft headed tooth brush to help get into the areas where the small amount of tarnish can appear. After cleaning a small swipe of Boeshield spray keeps things protected.