Land Shark Carbon?

Hawker · #1 05-19-2011, 08:42 AM

I'm loving my new (new to me) Landshark built with Deccachai Zero tubing.

However, John Slawta is no longer building with steel, only carbon. Just wondering if anyone here has one of his carbon frames and how you like it?

Thanks.

bicycletricycle · #2 05-19-2011, 08:50 AM

that was unexpected

eddief · #3 05-19-2011, 08:50 AM

have not seen his full carbon, but on a ride last week someone was riding the most simply beautiful abstractly painted bike with no decals. of course it was a landshark. actually it was steel with carbon back end and carbon fork. this paint was royal blue that looked like someone just took a small sponge with black paint and dabbed it all over the blue. maybe that's what he did. gorgeous.

fiamme red · #4 05-19-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawker

However, John Slawta is no longer building with steel, only carbon.

Where did you hear this?

eddief · #5 05-19-2011, 08:59 AM

custom steel = $2K, custom carbon = $4K.

pretty soon all the steel builders will be building plastic bikes, differentiation will go out the window, and the pendulum will swing back to steel. so many ways to play with lugged steel; fancy lugs, distinct tube/lug boundaries for paint creativity. but wrapped carbon sorta all starts to look the same...to me.

what do you do to differentiate yourself in carbon? should be interesting.

gone · #6 05-19-2011, 08:59 AM

Slawta still lists steel as being available on his web site but his prices/ordering page only lists carbon. I wonder if he'd still build steel if you called and asked.

Idle curiosity as I'm not in the market for another Landshark and sorry for the thread drift. I'm also curious as to any opinions from any carbon Landshark owners.

Hawker · #7 05-19-2011, 09:18 AM

Actually I've spoken to John twice in the last three weeks, the last time was yesterday. He was very outspoken that he was done with steel and ONLY going to work in carbon. In fact, he is "buying back" steel frames and will sell you a new carbon frame at approximalty half price. I balked at that and told him I really loved the ride of this bike. He told me if I loved his steel I would "really" love carbon and then went on to explain all the flexibility that carbon is giving him.

This is not meant to be a commercial, but now I'm having trouble wondering if maybe I really do need all carbon? I would be faster right?

oldpotatoe · #8 05-19-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawker

Actually I've spoken to John twice in the last three weeks, that last time was yesterday. He was very outspoken that he was done with steel and ONLY going to work in carbon. In fact, he is "buying back" steel frames and will sell you a new carbon frame at approximalty half price. I balked at that and told him I really loved the ride of this bike. He told me if I loved his steel I would "really" love carbon and then went on to explain all the flexibility that carbon is giving him.

This is not meant to be a commercial, but now I'm having trouble wondering if maybe I really do need all carbon? I would be faster right?

1/2 price carbon and he's still making money. I think it's just too bad. Steel is a wonderful material and John has made a great rep making really nice steel, now he's just pretty much like most of the other builders/frames, too bad I say.

AngryScientist · #9 05-19-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

too bad I say.

i agree, when i think "master craftsman" with respect to bicycles, i think torches and welding rod, not epoxy.

MattTuck · #10 05-19-2011, 09:41 AM

I'll admit to knowing very little about Landshark... but my impression was that the paint was a big part of his brand.

If the people want his paint options on a carbon bike, maybe it makes sense for him to change his 'medium'. Increasing your revenue by 100% on each unit is a nice kicker too.

rugbysecondrow · #11 05-19-2011, 09:43 AM

Lets see how the bikes roll, what sort of rep they build. John seemed to do great steel work and was an artist with a different brush, why should an artist always have to paint on the same canvas?

eddief · #12 05-19-2011, 10:03 AM

with my geo preferences and he can resell one of those beautiful buy back frames to me.

skijoring · #13 05-19-2011, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldpotatoe

1/2 price carbon and he's still making money. I think it's just too bad. Steel is a wonderful material and John has made a great rep making really nice steel, now he's just pretty much like most of the other builders/frames, too bad I say.

Respect to OP, but he will make a kickass bike regardless of material. He is not outsourcing these frames, he is making them in-house.

peace.

zap · #14 05-19-2011, 10:20 AM

Cool frame from a top notch builder.

dekindy · #15 05-19-2011, 10:29 AM

Landshark is the most unique brand, ATMO. He is a true artist and I find it significant that Carbon is now his material of choice. $4,000 pricing puts him in a different market segment also. Don't forget that Carl Strong is now doing carbon also. There must be a reason. Just looked at Strong pricing and his are $1,800 and $4,800 respectively.