Serotta Cycles
January 21, 2011 By
Serotta Cycles at Penn’s Minnetonka Location
Steel – Titanium – Carbon
Custom Bicycle Frames
Many of you know my history with Seven Cycles when at Erik’s Bike Shop. Since leaving, I have worked hard to find a custom frame supplier that would build to my standards.
I believe that a custom bike should be beautiful, and entirely rider-specific. Master frame builders consider material selection (types of steel, titanium, carbon, scandium), tubing (diameter, thickness, length, butting (double, triple, location, degree, internal, external), tube junction (mitering, weld, epoxy, lugging), geometry (stage, race, tour, etc.), finish (paint, brushed, clear-coat), and quality (durability, alignment, longevity, tap/chase/face) to enhance/complete a rider’s individual characteristics. Paring the finished product with owner is nothing short of a yoga- or gestalt effect, impossible to describe in words.
Short of finding an answer, I decided, instead, to buy a super-cool fit bike. The Serotta International Bicycle Institute, 2010 Size Cycle, caught my eye, which required SICI training to purchase. Clearly an opportunity to get off my ass an into the most reputable bicycle fit organization in the world! Three days later I was in Saratoga Springs.
The schedule included an optional tour of the Serotta factory. I was not going to attend because Serotta is well represented by the Flanders Brothers Cycles, just a few miles away from my studio in Minnetonka. I explained this to Paraic, who gave me some shoulder-shrug-eye-roll-turn and walk away thing, that had me in trail like a stray dog.
Inside the factory, CNC machines make drop-outs and cable guides/stops from solid blocks of uniform grain titanium next to a massive tubing selection, mitering so percise I suspect a lugged frame would ride without epoxy, in house swaging and impeccible butting, paint-booths that would look at home in a medical facility, frame alignment guaranteed within .5mm, and a quality control procedures that extend 3.5 hours beyond what 99.9% of the population would consider perfection. Just a few of the remarkalbe features that make Ben Serotta’s frames the best money can buy.
Ben asked if I would be a dealer later that afternoon. I told him the truth – that I respect Scott, Andrew, and the Flanders team, and would only accept if Scott and Andrew were OK sharing the Minneapolis territory. He agreed to give them a call on Monday. We were approved a few days later. I called Andrew to confirm his agreement and promised that we would do our best to keep things on our side of town.
Nothing compares to a Custom Bike!
Services for Complex Fit-Issues
December 23, 2010 By
I made a commitment last year to work with cyclists of all abilities, injuries, and needs, regardless of how many visits, consults and modifications are necessary to provide a positive outcome.
A few clients required multiple visits (between 4-8), with issues ranging from improper (former) fit (fittings), persistent discomfort, physical injuries, muscle imbalances, and/or difficult frame-sizing issues. All who followed my product recommendations, strengthening/stretching advice, and outside consultation(s) as indicated were entirely satisfied with the outcome.
By September, I started wondering if I was the person to see for cyclists with complex injuries/issues. I love you people, and it is very rewarding to see your faces when everything is “better”, but I think we need to set some rules for 2011.
- Before making an appointment, do your research on local fitters and physical therapists. There are plenty in town, and I am not interested in trying to convince you that I am good at my job.
- It is your responsibility to collect all pertinent medical records, before the initial visit.
- Product recommendations are not for my financial gain. It is possible that you will need to purchase something (like shoes, or longer/shorter crank-arms), to facilitate changes for a positive outcome.
- I expect full cooperation from start to completion.
- If I am unable to resolve your problem, there is no fee for my service.
Why am I being such a whiner?
I am very busy during the season – mostly three-weeks out with scheduling – and the extra effort necessary to keep tabs, update and document multiple visit clients does not come easy. By the third visit, my time is advocacy.
My commitment is fueled by my inability to ride a bike without significant pain (residual implications from lyme disease), and no improvement from seeing some of the “best” bike fitters in the nation. I am relatively sure that I could “fix” myself, but I would need to bi-locate, first.
Peace,
Chris
“Anonymous” Forum Posting
December 23, 2010 By
This blog is in response to a TCBC forum posting from an anonymous person.
This person, who I will I will show more respect than she (L.D.) did for me, was a customer of mine from 2008, who I fit while working at a different bike shop, in St. Louis Park, MN. She posted — anonymously — on the TCBC board, against my services, in response to a person seeking referrals for local fitters. I sent a few emails to her, offering a refund or to help, but no response.
I don’t mind the criticism.
What bothers me is the lack of responsibility for negatively impacting another person/business.
I will not expand on the physical limitations preventing L.D. from optimal fitting. But clearly, being sensitive to her condition was a mistake.
Peace
Guru Update – 2010
December 23, 2010 By
I am still alive.
Very good year, but grateful that biking is seasonal in Minnesota. I had five-hundred appointments between January 4th sand August 31st.
Much work to be done before next season:
1. New website
2. Design and Implement a Concierge service, including direct contacts at Penn, Erik’s, Freewheel, The Hub, Hollywood, and Gear West, for new bike sales and accessories that suit your needs. Hoping to hear from some of the other shops in Mpls and St. Paul before completion.
3. Blog series on Lyme Disease. Thirteen-years before I discovered what was killing me. Including my story, my research and my progress.
4. Remodeling the Studio. New floor, more hardwood, video cameras and a “back-cam”.
5. Two inventions in prototype — one for the industry; one for consumers. I will blog in detail after securing provisional patents.
6. Updated pricing for services, pre-fit forms and post-fit instructions.
7. Individual Yoga Therapy for chronic pain/conditions — more like physical therapy than stretching.
8. Client-feedback forms, including negative feedback posting. Why not? I expect that Lis (Durst), on the TCBC boards would be glad — and she would probably be willing to accept my help, too.
9. Four Penn employees going to Serotta for advanced training in product knowledge and sales.
10. Sleep.
Namaste
Cervelo Bicycles at the Minnetonka Location
December 23, 2010 By
Penn has been a Cervelo dealer for years, excluding the Minnetonka location due to its proximity to Gear West. It appears the manufacturer has faith in our location because we are now carrying the full line of Road, Triathlon and TT bikes.
I am shocked at how great the road bikes, handle, climb, decend, etc. Always knew the Tri/ TT bikes were great, but not much exposure to the road models.
Amazing!
Wii Area for Kids!
December 23, 2010 By
You can thank my smarty-pants wife for this one.
She suggested that I make my services available to people with children, so parents can schedule appoints without worry about a sitter, time, or barter sufficient to ensure offspring-cooperation.
I went completely handy-mandy and built a room. We now have a waiting-area/Wii-studio attached to the primary fit-station.
Here are the pics:
Scheduling — Busy Season
December 23, 2010 By
Expect 1-3wks Lead-Time for your Fitting during the “Busy-Season”
I do my best to accommodate everyone in a timely manner, but working every day of the week is not sufficient to keep up with demand.
There is a “Stand-by” option available for cancellations. Indicate preferred times/days, and contact information in the Scheduling section.
Peace,
Chris
