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.
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.
Once in a while everybody needs to shut down the doors for a bit, as in a few days to catch your breath. This time we are taking a family vacation before things get crazy with the next round of Ramblers. Nothing huge, but we will be signing out until Monday July 8.
Of course the
digital storefront is open for things like Bandannas, Pedals, Stoves, lights, etc. Inventory is getting low on a few things, but if it is listed as there, then it is there and will ship on Monday.
Rambler shipping has just been upgraded to FREE status until the next round ships later this month. The frames are moving from fabrication to powder coating after the Holiday weekend. I will be traveling up to Portland to handle some of the quality control myself. This will also be an opportunity to cross paths with readers and customers, to possibly meet up and or see a Rambler in person as I pass through the SF bay area and Portland. contact me if you would like to coordinate a time to meet.
These are exciting times here at OAC with years of work and dreams coming to a head. This is going to be the turning point, the time is right, I can feel it.
I put together a page under "Shop" -> "Soft Goods" -> "T-Shirts"
HERE at the top of the page. Checkout is through a basic PayPal cart at the moment, the e-commerce site is still in development.
As always, Thank you for your continued support
I am guessing is you have followed my story you may be looking to get a bike that bridges transportation and sport, i.e transportation does not have to be a mini van. You like bikes that have a traditional look and styling. Possibly a preference for traditional french styling from the 40's and 50's, with your daily load up front where you can keep an eye on it and get to it without climbing off the bike. Your previous attempts at this with the commonly available bikes may have left you with a less than optimal handling experience. Either a bike that was heavier than it needed to be, if it was a light weight had no provisions to carry the load on the bike or if it did the handling was compromised when loaded.
With years of personal research and design study I have addressed these issues with a bike steeped in the lineage of the traditional french touring bikes. Using modern production techniques and partnering with a U.S. fabrication team to deliver the look and function you are after with a few bells and whistles thrown in. The ride will be light and sporty, yet stable with loads for you commute, day rides or the occasional quick load of groceries up front. It goes without saying there will be provisions for full coverage fenders to keep you and the bike clean during year round riding. This is the bike you will want for rambles through the countryside, distance rides and randonees, and still able to be your daily steed. All of this at a price that is competitive in the current market.
The sport touring frame set project is moving along as planned. The Design spec and engineering is settled in at to 95% point and I am comfortable releasing my Geometry and Tubing Spec:
The line has a range of even sizes from 50 through 62 measures Center of bottom bracket to the center of the intersection with the top tube. When comparing this to traditional road frames or the size you may ride in your regular bike, consider that the size in the chart will be about 1 to 2 cm smaller due to the distance from the center of the top tube to the top and the generous bottom bracket drop. For example I ride a 63 or 64 on my Roadeo and Eisentraut, but the 62 above is designed around my needs.
Other things to consider with the spec:
- Clearance for42mm tires and fenders on all sizes
- These are designed with the provision for Paul Racer brakes mounted with Brazed on bosses. These provide ample clearance while retaining outstanding performance. The bridges and brake holes will be located such that a 68-70mm reach brake could be used if the brake bosses were omitted by customer choice.
- Frame construction will be Tig welded double butted 4130 steel.
- The fork will have an investment cast crown and braze-on provisions for small upper and low rider racks as well as lighting wires.
- Down tube shifter bosses
- Double water bottle with reenforcing star mounts on all sizes
- Columbine Quickchainger brazed on for clean and easy rear wheel changes.
- Brazed on fender mounting points placed such that installation will be easy and result in even fender line.
- 130mm rear spacing to work easily with modern road bike components.
- Color options of American flag blue and red. (and possibly a sunflower yellow or orange still up in the air).
Production samples will be complete in a few weeks, the pre-orders system will be available by the end of February and a final availability date projected for early Spring 2012. Pricing will be settled in the coming week as we move through our final production costing and design. As always I appreciate you continued readership and support. Project news will be updated here as soon as it is available.
Oh, and the name is still leaning towards "Rambler", although I like fish names
Winter 2011: "Winter Riding - California Style"
This is the first of what will be a quarterly series. I captured this picture last year while on a long mixed terrain ride in the hills between San Luis Obispo and Atascadero, California. And yes the day was as nice as it looked, crystal clear with temps between 30 and 55 deg through the day. There was even a bit of snow and frost still on the shady sides of the hills. It is my hope that the pictures I share inspire you to get out there, the whole year, not just in fair weather. I will admit we are a bit spoiled here with the "California" winters. These posters will make a great addition to your shop or garage, keep it on the wall between the car and the bike, and hopefully they give that little push you may need to choose two wheels over four
The poster measures 13" x 19" and is printed with archival grade ink on 50lb fine art "Photo Rag" paper. I call these posters, but they are really prints worthy of a frame. These will be in the shop shortly at $20 + $8 shipping and handling in the US.
It has been an incredibly busy week coming off of a 4 day break. Today I made it out to ship off what is likely the last round of eBay auctions for the year.
The last few days have been mostly in the shop getting ready for a craft fair at my wife's work, Patagonia. This is a good thing as it forced me into putting a few of my ideas for soft goods into reality. Fringe benefit will be some market research.
You have already seen the touring wallets, now in the shop. The neck gaiters are a fantastic solution for a scarf that can not fall off while you ride, and are in incredibly versatile layering piece to have in your kit. The first round is made from some nice merino wool, I have two different weights on hand. Also, hitting the market tonight will be my first round of prints, limited edition of 100. I plan to offer these four times a year, themed to the season. This one is "Winter Riding - California Style". All of this will be hitting the shop in the next few days.
If you are local and have the time, the craft show is tonight in the firehouse at the Patagonia campus, north building, 4-7 PM. I have been bumping into more and more readers as of late, and that is probably a good thing. Thank you as always for your readership and support.
Have fun - Play outside!
As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. After having business cards printed up it dawned on me that I need something to carry them in. After a few hours in the garage working out a couple of prototypes, then some stress testing, followed by a quick round of market research, and then refine the design. The result:
Hand made with thick, but not too thick, full grain leather and skived edge. Finally something useful to do with all the short pieces of chain I have been saving over the years. These measure in at 3" x 4" x 1/2" stuffed, will easily take 20 or so business cards or an I.D. and a couple of credit cards. This drops right into your jersey or the small pockets on your touring bags, and is much lighter than the usual bulky wallet I carry.
The first four are committed to a local show later this week, I have enough leather on hand to make plenty of these in time for the Holidays. Inital price is $30 plus shipping and handling. These will be added to the shop soon, but in the mean time please drop me a comment to give me an idea how much I should be cranking these out.
Also in the pipeline: Neck Gaiters, Limited run of Poster Prints and frame sets (yes I said it, I have started working with a contractor here in the U.S.A.)
Today is looking to be a good day to ride to the market. The rain has passed, temps are cool and crisp.
Until then, I have started adding more to the Garage sale section of the site. Today will be frame pumps, handlebars and saddles.
Possibly more tonight, some modern and vintage tires, a few seatposts, etc
Thanks for taking a look
