[CR]KOF Builder Chris Kvale

I have to be Chris's cheerleader, because, well, you'll see below.

Here's some things that I know about him from knowing him well for the last 8 years or so:

* He's been building frames full-time since about 1977. * I think in his most productive year he built, maybe 15 frames, and that was a long time ago. * His average # of frames lately is about 4-5/yr. * He is a true one-man shop. Build, paint, and repair. * This dude is very old-fashioned. His vision of a "custom" frame is, "You wanta a customa frame-a? I build you a customa frame-a." He measures you, asks you some questions about your riding style, goes out on a ride with you, sees what you look like on your current bike, and then says, "I'll call you when it's done." There's no funny business like customer-requested funny angles, materials, etc. He will spend a lot of time trying to discourage you from anything other than a 73 degree parallel frame. Braze-ons for practical uses are fine, but radical ideas are not welcome. Anyone who has a CKC knows what I mean. * He also just found out about the telegraph, so I don't have to tell you whether he has a computer or not. * His "signature" is thinly-filed lugs. See http://www.velostuf.com/MyRiderBikes.htm * He builds with Henry James and now Richard Sachs lugs. It would take a lot of sweet-talking to get him to use anything else, and he might flatly refuse. * He prefers Columbus SL for those riders light enough to be able to take advantage of it. He also likes 531 DB, and recently has broken-down and started using Dedaccai, and other OS tubesets. * He is a former accomplished road-racer and was active in the late 60's, through the early 80's. * He is, maybe, 62, and still rides several thousand miles a year- fast. * He and his brother Kevin set a trans-continental in the 70's record that got some press. * He enjoys building frames, (as opposed to painting which pays the bills) and cares DEEPLY about building the best frame possible. * He is extraordinarily honest, and nice, but can be grouchy, (don't tell him I said so). * Marketing is considered by him to be something that whipper-snappers do, but me and my graphic designer buddy convinced him to make up some nice brochures 5 years ago. * I convinced him to attend Le Cirque a couple years in a row, and while he really enjoyed seeing his old cronies again, (last seen at the NY shows WAY back) he can't get himself to spend the money to attend again. * He's cheap, (see bullet-point above) * He doesn't "get" marketing, (see bullet-points above) * I think there's something like 350 CKC's (Chris Kvale Cycles) out there. The overwhelming majority of them are in Minnesota. * I own 3 of them- I just rode 54 miles today on one, and for what it's worth, I love it. * He refuses to wear a helmet. I figure that when he gets run-over and can't build anymore, my bikes will jump in value! (just kidding- I love him to death. He is a close friend)

My opinion of modern KOF frames in general is that they are far-and-away the finest frames in the world. At the risk of sounding like a pig American, I'll say that there's something about American drive, ingenuity, and attention to detail that sets American KOF frames apart. Broad-brush, I know, but what the heck.

Save up and buy a KOF frame. Research and pick a builder whose frames and attitudes appeal to you, and then love and ride that bike like crazy!

John Barron
Minneapolis
http://www.velostuf.com