Back when the OAC blog started the whole thing was about getting out on the bike every day, and how easy that was if you use the bike as your basic mode of transport when you leave the house. While a few things have changed here over the years and we have grown, the bike, Rambler, is still the main way I get around town. Hundreds of pictures of myself riding around, and the pictures of me have tapered off a bit this year. Today I made the time to shoot some while I was out. Same loop around town and same basic errands, life is that way sometimes. None the less, it is a hell of a lot more fun picking up odds and ends at Target and the food stores by bike.
Head over to our Facebook fan page, like and share the pic for a chance to win one of our Caldera Cone Keg Kits. This could be a great chance to get your coffee outside program kickstarted.
Starting this morning we will have Ramblers at The MOB Shop in Ojai, CA available for test rides over the coming week. Right now there is a Size 51 Rambler ready to roll as a test vehicle for anybody interested. This evening we will be heading over to partake in the Slow is Fast event promoting Dan Malloy’s book and movie release. These events are always an awesome party with food, beverage and music. I highly recommend bending the schedule to be there. We will be bringing a size 57 and 63 for test rides tonight, and the 57 will be staying at the shop for at least a week. We are looking forward to adding our friends at the MOB to our select list of retail outlets.
Hopefully we will meet some existing fans tonight and make some new ones.
Back home for a bit, and almost back on schedule, if that ever really happens. Made it out this morning for coffee outside. Regularity and commitment keep things on track, for the most part. For anybody aspiring to get out camping more, breaking down things into bite sized pieces can get you the taste of what you have been missing. Brewing up a cup of coffee with you camp stove is dead simple, Fun and helps get the outdoor fix.
Even though it was fogged in, the weather is warm, lots of fun to get out for 45 minutes or so, make some pictures, drink some coffee, check the surf and get in a little hill action on the Rambler.
Last week the plan was to head north and get the Ramblers rolling out to vendors and customers with a stop in the SF bay area on the way up. Well, that was the plan, things slipped a little with the powder coating schedule, and I ended up working out a plan b solution. Packed and ready to go on Friday I headed up late in the morning.
The old Golf TDI does pretty good for these trips getting 45 mpg and just enough room to squeeze a 63cm bike on the inside. I had made it to Gilroy when the message came in that the frames would be ready closer to the end of the upcoming week instead of Monday as planned. That was a bit of a bummer deal, as I had already left home, and with Aly pushing into the end of her 6th month of pregnancy it is not really feasible for me to leave her at home with the three-year old and the dog for more than one week at a time. I pressed on to Oakland working out a plan b for the trip as I rolled north.
I am lucky beyond imagination to have an internet friend, turned customer, turned good friend with a place to stay in Oakland, and cool house mates, with a stream of interesting people passing through every time I am up there. The cherries on top are a room with a view and fresh eggs every morning.
Jason has been helping with everything from backend web site stuff to schlepping bikes around on the last Seattle trip and now our pedal powered sales missions through San Francisco, Alameda and Oakland. While I could have probably done this alone it would have been harder, way more $$$ out-of-pocket and not nearly as fun. Thank you, and the whole family at the compound.
With traffic and parking being what it is in the Bay Area the decision was pretty obvious to do as much as possible via Rambler. I may not be the first, but based on impression, there are not many sales reps, or owners, making the rounds via bike, particularly the one they are promoting. I can not imagine selling something that I did not use as much as my Rambler, perfect city transport. Loaded with forks in the panniers as color samples and sales gear in the Docena we hit the City for a few days in a row. With stops at Stones, Mojo, Huckleberry, Citizen Chain and a bunch more we had a ton of interest, but no bites on retail placement. The upside was all the incredible mechanics, fans customers in waiting and new direct customers that we were able to meet, share time with and get out on test rides. The overall level of stoke was high, new friends were made, and we were able to get the word out there about our product. I know this is going to be big, really big, but getting the word out is taking time on the street. Fringe benefit was all the nerd photo ops like a real Rambler wagon from the 1960′s and the 650b street address.
We made it out to Point Reyes Station to meet long time internet friend Mike at Black Mtn Cycles, rode a little and scored some berries
We met some builders, saw some well thought out cargo bikes, and were able to explore a bit
The exhibit above is on the pier at the Exploratorium, and was fabricated by Jeff at Monkey Like Shiny. As a kid, never in a million years would I have guessed that my path would lead me to a bicycle company of my own staying with friends that have friends designing and making wicked cool museum exhibits and the Red Bull trophies for things like the America’s Cup youth races. Very stoked to have met Jeff.
On the last day I made one more round of follow-up visits around SF, it was great finally having the fog pull back for a bit, and then it was time to head home.
Thank you to everybody who helped make this trip a success, even if it was no remotely near the original plan. The San Francisco Bay area is our largest market at the moment, even with Portland and Seattle making the push, The East Bay will have the most Ramblers rolling in the coming weeks.
First Post July 31 2013, 0 Comments
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Price moving from $1650 to $1799 August 1, 2013
In recent travels there has been an overwhelming consensus that Rambler exceeds expectations and that the current pricing sells the Rambler, us and the shops short on the true value of the Frame set with Paul Racer Brakes. Along those lines we will be implementing a new retail direct and Minimum Advertised Price of $1799. The price will go into effect on August 1, 2013. All existing deposits placed prior to then will be honored at the existing price of $1650. If you have been thinking about getting one, there is no time like the next two days to place your deposit.
The Rambler is a true Cyclotouring bike, steeped in traditional French design, but brought forward to work with modern components and fittings. It is the kind of bike that once dominated the market, but went away as racing came to the forefront.
As we, the cycling tribe, move back to a cycling style that is more practical, able to function as transportation, take the load off our back, yet handle well and with a lively ride, the Rambler is there to fill that need.
The larger market is slower to move, has longer design cycles due to their economic scale, and may have generally different motivations. I decided it was time to take my dream bike, and bring it to the market as a fully developed product and the Rambler was born. In many ways it is unique in the market, the only production bike of its kind. All of the details are there to build out a functional sport bicycle, that also serves as practical every day transportation.
Rambler Specs:
- TIG welded, double butted CroMo tubes, custom matched to the frame size for optimized performance.
- Room for 42mm tires and fenders on all bicycle sizes
- Designed with the provision for Paul Racer brakes, mounted with braze-on bosses. These provide unparalleled power and modulation in a rim brake.
- Paul Racer brakes are included in the frame set package.
- Double eyelets for rack and fender mounts at the front and rear dropouts.
- The fork has an investment cast crown with cast and machined rack mounting bosses, with provisions for small upper and low rider racks, & fenders.
- Lighting wire guides on the right fork leg. Reinforced entry and exit ports for internal routing of lighting wires, from front to rear of the frame.
- Columbine Quickchainger braze-on, for easy rear wheel changes without having to touch the chain.
- Braze-on fender mounting points placed so installation is simple and results in even fender line.
- 130mm rear spacing to work with modern road bike components.
- Color options: American Blue , Orange Soda and Sunflower Yellow
Partnering with an US engineering and fabrication team, the Rambler delivers on all levels of build accuracy, quality, hand-built craftsmanship, as well as looks and performance. Unique in the marketplace, it serves as the backbone for the custom-built bike you have been dreaming of.
Ocean Air Cycles is the embodiment of my passion for cycling in a form that shares what I know to be a better alternative with you. It is my work, and my dream, to apply my skills as an engineer and an entrepreneur to deliver a bicycle that can change the way people see local transportation and recreation. Using the Rambler as a tool for travel, transport, running errands, getting to work, etc. Getting out and around under your own power will transform you, your family, and community. Having the best tools available will make the transformation more lasting. Adding to the function is color, function with flair, because color choices make thing more fun
Our first large production run of Ramblers is currently in the powder coating phase. They will be going final QC and prep over the next two weeks, then distribution begins. I need your help, spreading the word, or better yet buying a Rambler of your own. You can start with a frame set and build up your own, or we can facilitate custom builds for your ready to roll custom dream bike. You can click-through any of the Rambler links or photos in this post to place your deposit today, reserving you place in this batch. The next run will not be here until next Spring, and this is your chance to get rolling before Summer passes by.
Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, we will make sure you are getting exactly what you want.
We are in this for the long haul, but can not do it without your support, Thank you. We provide the tools, but you make the wheels go round and round.
