All the bits are in, and while I iron out the last details before getting out the files, let me tell you how excited I am about some small chunks of steel. First off, I am in no way sponsored by, a part of, or even get discounts from:
Paragon Machine Works. But what I am, is impressed at the quality and seriousness that is taken to make some of the nicest machined braze-ons, dropouts, and other frame bits available. Not only are they cooler, smarter, stronger, and or lighter, but they're pretty enough that many call this stuff 'frame jewelry.' Competitively priced, they're making the ol' "Made in the U.S.A." tag mean something good again. If only the U.S. car manufacturers were that cool.
The reason I'm talking about it so much now, is that I've used the excuse of ordering one thing from them, to order about $500.00 of stuff from them. The
sliding dropouts that helped put them on the map have now expanded to pretty much everything except the main frame tubes. And every bit is given the utmost in design and detail. So I'm happy to say that with the U.S. made
True Temper tubing, flux and filler from
Henry James, and everything else down to the B.B. shell made from P.M.W. this next project will truly be a "Handmade in the U.S.A." bicycle frame.
And as always, more pictures
here.
3 comments:
Eric at Groundup Designs came up with those CNC sliding dropouts long before Paragon made their prototype.
http://www.groundupdesigns.com/recent-projects
Eric seems like a pretty cool guy, and is worth checking out.
I like the idea of all those domestic parts on my frame, when the time comes. Giddyup.
I was not aware of Eric and his prior designed dropouts. Is he an engineer or worker at Manitou? I know a guy who helped design the new Dorado DH fork. (not that they all know each other) Either way, cool stuff Eric.
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