T-shirts are here!!

The Ellis t-shirts are finished. I was nervous about the colors, the samples on Gildan's web page are not the most helpful, but I'm really happy with my choices. The top is Cedar Red, and the bottom Metro Blue.

Anyone who's interested in one they are $20 including shipping in the continental US. I'll also be offering them at the Cirque de Cyclisme in Virginia in a couple of weeks. $15 at the show.

I just got done making hotel reservations for the weekend of Cirque, and I'm trying to figure out what other things I need to get done before then. Have to get a sign or banner made with the logo. Also want to print a bunch of old lug photos for an album of cool lug designs I've done up till now.

Got the old Honda tuned up and it's ready to do the 12 hour haul to VA. It's actually running as well as it ever has, I've been getting about 38 mph lately. Sweet! Now I just have to figure out how to pack all the crap I'm bringing in there.

Recent News, Frame #4

Well, I've been neglecting the blog for too long, here's some of the happenings at Ellis Cycles.


I'm making the trek to Cirque de Cyclisme in Leesburg, VA on June 6, 7 and 8. http://www.cirqueducyclisme.com/ I've reserved a table for Sunday's show and hope to display the stainless track bike, Ellis #2. Henrik hasn't decided yet if he'll drive down with #1, but it would be cool. I may bring bike #4 Travis' rando frame, but it won't be painted. Pictures to follow.


Confirmed an order for 100 Ellis Cycles t-shirts on Monday, I'm excited to see them and I'll post pictures for sale on the website when I get them. Mainly I wanted to have something to sell at the Cirque, hopefully recoup some of the travel expenses. They will be Metro Blue and Cedar with white lettering, if you want to see the colors go to: http://gildan.com/distributors/colorpalette/.

Still working on the head tube logo. Anyone who visited the website in the last couple weeks may have seen the survey, well the majority liked the iris logo, but I still think it needs some work. I'm thinking of changing the color of the iris to white with yellow falls, then making the banners white and including CYCLES under the ELLIS. I think it also needs to have a black outline around the laurels and banners to give it some definition from the background. Originally I had imagined having 2 or 3 different colors of iris to go with different paint schemes, but in the short term I think white will be the most universal. Maybe when things are busier I will expand the color choices.


OK, so on to the frame, I started frame #4 last week and have made steady progress. It's a randoneering frame for Travis, and it'll be my first custom rack. He sent the Berthoud front bag and now I need to design the rack to fit it and accommodate his light. Here's some pics.


Here's the beginnings, I raked out the fork blades really low. Finally found some Columbus blades that rake the way I like and don't have a huge minor end.









A close up of the front dropouts, tidy and neat.










All the tubes are mitered and the fork brazed up. If you look close you cna see the internal brake routing in the top tube.








Fluxed and tacked on the new fixture, very nice...








BB shell after brazing and soaking.

Head lugs.

After some time with files and emery.

I'll post more soon, especially the front rack as it comes together. I've got the seatstays ready to braze on as soon as I machine the BB shell and align the front end.

Also, stay tuned for a top secret project bike I hope to bring to the Cirque, I haven't decided if I'll post pics before then, but it should be cool.