showers! we need showers! and an employee locker room....

so I had the lovely joy of reading what used to be my favorite mag, dirt rag, until they turned into another damn collection of ads...and forgot about my lifetime subscription, probably regretting offering that to readers now huh?
anyhow, enjoyed a little blurb about independent fabrications and the move to New Hampshire. I guess its fair to say that my suspicions about the popularity of the move would be not so hot, and frankly I have no business commenting on a situation I am not truly involved in (thank fucking god). But, since this is my blog, and only nine folks follow it, who cares...
So, the funniest thing was the stupid comment about how great it will be to have an employee locker room and somewhere for customers to watch their frame be built and have it delivered to their hotel room on the coast.
Wow, what a colossal line of horseshit! really? locker room? what is next? snazzy polo shirts with your name and the if logo on it? maybe a full color employee manual? leave it to the corporate world to find a way to turn a truly amazing company that kicks out great bikes and make it vanilla.
The extra funny part is that someone with all that awesome college education, and 'real world experience' can't just leave it be. I guess you have truly arrived when you work somewhere with an employee locker room where you can don your ''uniform''...not very independent if you ask me mr awesome corporate douchebag.
On an equally sad note, Merlin has also been bought by an online retailer and will likely be moving out of Mass as well, the CEO even hinted (new CEO) that he will '' do everything possible'' to keep the production stateside.
If you wonder why my bikes are less than these guys here is a solid reason...
I don't have an employee locker room to pay for... ha ha...
fuck you corporate douchebags....

new space, new problems....but not too bad!

well, been super busy with the shop expansion project...at the expense of delivering a few bikes on time. Sadly I had no choice as I was rapidly outgrowing the original space and needed to have some room to work and store frames and show stuff without creating a literal obstacle course for folks! ugh.
So, the past weekend was spent doing a marathon session of moving stuff, painting, fixturing, and of course more forklifting..feel like hell now, but its all worth it.
So, special thanks to Ryan, Jeremy, and Billy for all your help!
When you are around come on by the new digs!!!

Ta Chen, chinese for fuck you doug!

 ugh, long day of welding up some fine chinese stainless tubing for a friend. The stuff is supposed to be part of some massive outdoor structure, amazing I am sure. Anyhow, it took me about 6 hours to weld up the small bits and after breathing all those lovely fumes associated with welding metal I feel like total crap.
The good news is that this is done, and I can get on making bikes for those who are patiently waiting.
I have another surprise, but going to keep it under my hat until its set...
stay tuned....

ti carbon...

I think eric is the only person that reads my drivel, so better post a pic of his new ride.....
if you are mad about the late snowstorm that hit in New Hampshire, you can blame Eric! ha ha..

free healthcare...

dang it, figures, I always manage a few trips to the ER every year, I pay for insurance, but of course it still is spendy...
might have to start searching for a doctor that will trade for bike stuff...
gotta love soft tissue injury!

frame repair time?

just wrapped up a repair on a rusted out seat tube on an old fat chance yo eddy, it had rusted through down by the bottom bracket area...sad day. All better now though, and ready for more good times. Rates vary on this kind of thing, but its affordable and will ensure you keep your rig rolling along!