July 1, 2007 King of the Touring Nerds By: Naomi Bloom |
At the North American Handmade Bicycle Show in March, I crossed paths with Bruce Gordon, one of the most respected, yet most puzzling, members of our California cycling community. Bruce is the self-proclaimed ruler of the touring nerds, maker of arguably the world's most beautiful yet functional touring bikes. But he's not that happy about it. Case in point: His newest creation, a lugged road bike with custom titanium racks, brakes, and seatpost, won Best of Show. "I heard that people thought I didn't look happy," he told me later. "My throat was killing me and all I wanted to do was get the bikes back in the trailer, drive home and get in bed." In fact, Bruce wins so many design awards, he's become kind of blase about it. "I decided I wasn't going to make a bike for a show that wasn't my size. I made this bike for me and I get to ride it!"
It's obvious the custom bike cognoscenti look up to Gordon. They love his bikes. They also love his components -- especially the ti cantilever brakes. When my better half got a look at them, he said, "I have to get a pair of these!" Unlike most of the custom builders at the show, Bruce has been plying his trade for over 30 years. That makes him, well, about 30 years older than his average colleague. He started as part owner of Eisentraut Bicycles. Back then he was probably one of only four or five custom bike builders in the country. Then he moved to Oregon and started his own business. Late in 1988 he came back to California, settling in Sebastopol. Really, really beautiful bikes Bruce's motto: "A bike should look as good as it rides." That's why he offers custom lugged frames. Made from either "Old School Materials" (the old stamped steel lugs and tubing he used in the 70s) or modern investment cast lugs and oversized tubing, these are really beautiful bikes.
Yet, "anyone who thinks they can make lugged bikes and make a living is delusional," he told me. So most of the Bruce Gordon bikes you'll see on the road are either Rock 'n Road or BLT touring bikes. The touring bike defined But, Bruce reminds us, "the most demanding type of touring is Self-Supported Loaded Touring. . .where you are carrying everything you need, which may weigh up to 50 or 60 pounds. . . .[and]when I speak of touring, this is the type I think of." He proceeds to outline the rigorous design features for "Self Supported Loaded Touring":
"A bike that will handle a full touring load may weigh a few ounces more than others," he concludes, "but being able to look at the scenery without having to concentrate on keeping the bike going straight is what the enjoyment of loaded touring is all about." The BLT: A Bruce Gordon touring bike for the rest of us My friends Tony and Jeanne in San Jose love their BLTs. Last year, when the forks on Tony's Gary Fisher bit the dust, he went looking for a new touring bike. He'd been impressed with the Bruce Gordon racks he'd used on the Fisher in the Alps, so he knew where to go. "I liked it from day one," he says. "It fits perfect. I don't think I could find a better bike for riding around town or touring with panniers." Jeanne liked it so much she got one of her own, a women's-specific design, this year. "We bought the frames with front and rear racks," Tony says; "that's the beauty of it. Bruce was willing to paint the racks as well as the frame. We asked what colors we could get, and he said, 'Any color you want!' "I trust his expertise. He does the little things others don't do. Like the extra attachment on the rear rack: for just $15 extra, I can attach a light without using clamps or tape. There's even a braze-on for fenders. It used to take forever to put fenders on, but now it's easy." Entrepreneur wanted The problem is finding someone to run the business end so Bruce is free to do the interesting stuff. "I think Bruce Gordon Cycles is a viable brand and has a right to exist. I want to remain part of it. At this point in time I don't even have to own Bruce Gordon Cycles. I'm looking for someone who can do the marketing stuff. I need an entrepreneur -- someone who's always wanted to be in the bike business. Well, here's one ready made." The technology is in place, he says, and he has 12 more years to go on his lease at a rent that's one-third the current market rate. Such a deal! "I'm putting it out to anybody. I'm not looking for someone who wants to learn to build frames. I just want a partner or buyer who can take over the business end and let me do protoptype stuff." Well, why not? The nerds and entrepreneurs in high tech get rich creating the next great thing. Then they retire and run wineries. Maybe there's a venture capitalist out there who'd like to move to Sonoma County and fund the next big thing in city bikes, titanium racks or -- what a concept! -- touring bikes. If that's you (or someone you know), give Bruce Gordon a call. |
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