FBQ #2 Curt Goodrich

For today's installment of the FBQ on LFoaB  I'm very pleased to announce we have Curt Goodrich.  Besides the notable point of interest on his resume being that of principal  (read-only) builder of Rivendell Customs he also builds privately under his own name.

Working alone in a 750 square foot shop in Minnesota he consistently turns out one-of-a-kind works of triangulated mobile art.  Curt is a master of his craft and this is what he had to say...

1.  How old are you?

38 

2.  Where were you born?

Blue Earth, MN 

3.  What's your earliest memory of a bicycle or something bicycle related?

My earliest bike memory is of my mom taking me for rides on her bike.   My bike seat was positioned on the top tube and my feet rested on top of the fork crown.   Pretty safe huh? 

4.  What was your first cycle?

My first bicycle was a used Hiawatha (I think) with a movable top tube.   The bike could be converted to a boy's or girl's bike.   It was red. 

5.  How about first "high-end" cycle?

My first "real" bike was a Gazelle AA Champion (I think that was the model name).   It had chainstays so short that the seat tube was grooved to make room for the rear tire. 

6.  Did (does) your family (parents, siblings, etc) ride also?

One of my brothers, Kim, was a cyclist. 

7.  Did you like to tinker with bikes back then?

Yes.   Probably too much. 

8.  Did you ever work in a Bike Shop... if so, where/how long?

I have worked at several bike shops in Seattle and Minneapolis/St. Paul.   I don't remember exactly how long at each shop but I'd guess a total of five years working in bike shops.

9.  Have you ever done any organized racing?

Yes, I used to race.   I really loved it and was quite average at it.   I don't now because I don't have the time to train.   This has taken a lot of pressure off my riding.   I enjoy and cherish every opportunity I ride. 

10.  How about cyclo-touring?

I have done some touring.   The longest was from Chicago to New Hampshire. 

11.  What job(s) did you have before frame building and also-do you have any other job currently besides frame building?

I've had a lot of other jobs before frame building.   Too many to list but I was a chef for awhile.   I don't have any other jobs than frame building. 

12.  When did you start building?

I started in 1994.

13.  Who would you say is your greatest influence in designing & frame building?

Tim Isaac has had the greatest influence on my frame building.   I learned a ton from him while working at Match bicycle company.   I really found myself as a builder there. 

14.  Did you apprentice... if so, with who?

I did apprentice.  First I worked for Dan Wynn.   Second I worked for R&E Cycles.   Third I worked for Tim at match.   Now I'm self employed so I guess my apprenticeship is over. 

15.  What's your idea of the "perfect cycle" regardless if you built it or not?

I'm still looking for it.   It always seems to be the next one. 

16.  Shooting a guess... how many frames would you say you've built?

1500 frames. 

17.  Any cycles out there that you secretly wished, "Darn, I wish I'd built that!"?

I don't know maybe Toei's rando bikes. 

18.  Your idea of the perfect client?

A perfect client is one that can articulate their desires and leave the rest to me. 

19.  What defines a nightmare client in your experience?

A nightmare client would be one that can't articulate their desires. 

20.  Any words of advice to up & coming frame builders?

Practice, practice, practice.   Watch or better yet work with an experienced builder for a while.  Build the type of frames that make you happy even if this doesn't seem market savvy.

21.  What do you find most funny or peculiar (in a kind way-not brutal) about the cycle-buying public... what don't they get or aren't they seeing?

The current fad of carbon forks.   They are light but not terrible well aligned or accurate. 

22.  What do you think of mass-produced bikes (without naming names)?

For the most part, they're pretty well made but are slanted too much towards racing even if they're not race worthy.   Don't take this as a black and white thing.   I dig ALL bikes not just racing or touring or mtb.   I just think the general public would be better served with fewer "racing" bike choices and more choices of bikes that are comfortable and versatile. 

23.  What cycle don't you have anymore that you wished you did?

I can't think of any.   I'm not sentimental about those sort of things. 

24.  What cycle do you currently ride most, even if it wasn't built by you?

I've lately been putting most of my miles on my Rivendell with 650b wheels. 

25.  When did you last ride your bike and for how far?

This morning for 10 miles.   That's my commute in to work. 

26.  What's your idea of the perfect ride?

To me almost every ride is a perfect ride.   I just love to ride.   With that said, one of my fondest riding memories is riding out on Mt. Diablo with the Rivendell gang. 

27.  Could you ever see yourself being Car Free... just using mass-transportation and your bike to get around?

I don't think so.   I use a car very little but I like having one for road trips or carrying big heavy things. 

28.  Why do you think so many folks have romanticized bicycles & bicycling?

I think it's because almost everyone has some experience with bikes and bicycling.   The sense of motion and freedom is almost universally loved. 

29.  Any (other) passions or hobbies in your life?

Backpacking, cooking, baking, playing with my kids and dogs.

30.  If you could say one thing to Lance Armstrong what would it be?

Say "Hi" to Sheryl. 

31.  In a pinch... McDonald's or Burger King?

Wendy's. 

32.  What kind of shampoo did you last use?

I don't know what it is.   We buy it in the bulk section at the local food co-op. 

33.  Favorite libation: wine, beer or fire water?

Beer.   Summit IPA to be exact. 

34.  Even though there seems to be a real tradition to it-what do you think of folks who spend more time setting up their cycle with just the right color saddle, bar tape, bags, hoods, etc than actually riding or at least commenting on the ride?

I don't care what they do to their bikes as long as they ride them.   If agonizing over every detail leads to their riding, I'm fine by that. 

35.  Did you go to college... if so, what was your major?

I did go to college.   I was a political science major but I didn't finish my degree. 

36.  Your favorite music while working (if any)?

I listen to public radio.   Sometimes it's talk.   Sometimes it's classical.   Sometimes it's indy rock.   I just can't stand commercials. 

37.  If you had it to do all over again... would you be building cycles?

Yes.

38.  What's your favorite lunch food during a work day in the shop?

California sushi rolls.   My shop's next door neighbor makes prepackaged sushi and it's good. 

39.  When it's all said & done-what kind of legacy will you hope to have left behind?

I guess I hope that I'm remembered as a guy that his family was proud of. 

40.  How can folks get in touch with you to order a custom cycle?

Curt Goodrich Bicycles
2010 E. Hennepin Ave. #04-023
Minneapolis, MN  55413
612.788.6812
goodrichbikes@netzero.net

Comments

[Jim]

This is a neat idea Scott.

I rode a CG two evenings ago (just around the block), and it was a very nice ride.

[Tom Adams]

I just took delivery of my Goodrich day rider/century bike two weeks ago, and it's a dream come true. The frame is brazed and lugged, but using a modern lug set that accomdates oversize tubing. My LBS said it went together perfectly. The ride is sublime at every speed and effort level: the bike is happy putzing along on a warm evening, but goes like a rocket when I feel like hammering. Plus it's super purty with the Pete Wiegle paint, R. Sachs Newvex lugs and Rivendell style double plate fork crown. If I put a superlight set of racing wheels on it it would weigh about 18 pounds with a real steel fork, and this baby will still be rideable 40 years from now unless the SUV of doom gets us both (bike is currently built with '05 Campy Chorus with an FSA compact carbon crank; with a strong set of 32 spoke clinchers it weighs right around 19 pounds). Plenty of room for fat tires, I can break a spoke and ride it home thanks to generous fork and stay clearances, and no rust ever thanks to Wiegle Framesaver! Carbon, Ti and Aluminum are valid materials, but nothing is versatile, comfortable and durable like steel. Thanks again, Curt.

[fixedgear]

How come BG and RS get a dizen comments, but Curt only gets two, now three? Where are all the Riv owners and Match-built Schwinn owners singing his praises?

[Scott]

I don't know either. I outed this one to the RBW List too so it's a mystery.

Maybe they're all too busy bag-matching? ;-]

-Me (Large Fella)

[Jim]

Maybe there's less to this "Rivendell Cult" business than meets the eye.

[e-RICHIE]

there is no rivendell cult; it was simply a catty remark. no need to take it seriously or disect it.
e-RICHIE

[KM]

Hey Big Fella

I posted the pix of my Goodrich on Jims Blog. I need to send him more but the blue one with the intricate lugs at the bottom is my wife's. I will send pix of the complete bike.

Cheers

Kevin

[Christian]

Wow! Whose bike is the Herse blue one with the box lining? Prettiest paint I've ever seen!

[joe]

First I really enjoy your webpage...NICELY done...congrats.

Since you have an Atlantis, I was wondering if you (or your bike buds) could help in my indecision between a Riv Saluki or an Atlantis as the best choice for my needs.

I have a lead on a good deal for a slightly used Atlantis in my 51" (26 inch wheels) frame, but am also considering the newer Saluki.

I currently have a 47" Surly Cross Check with 700cc wheels…and going to a ''lesser'' wheel size like the 26" in the Atlantis (I take a 51" frame)
is a bit strange feeling….although owners have mentioned that changing up a cog or front ring to get a similarly high ratio from a 700cc wheel is no problem.

I mostly would be using whichever bike for commutes, wkend century
rides and the occasional loaded tour…most of my riding is done on roads and to a lesser extent backroads.

When riding unloaded I do love to go fast on occasion (don't we all?) so having a
touring geometry bike that is also 'sluggish' when unloaded isn't to my liking (although I realize I can change rims & tires to help with this issue).

I guess I want a robust, versatile and sprightly ''all rounder''

If you (or any Saluki owners of your bike circle) can add their own 2 cents, it would be appreciated.

Some folks have cautioned me that the availability of 650 wheels are not as great
in some parts of the world.

Cheers
Joe

[Scott]

Hey Joe (nod to Jimi Hendrix!),

My .04 cents follows...

1. 650b is the rage right now but keep in mind, it's the rage among maybe 200-300 cycle riders period. I would guess not many more even know about that size here in the US of A or that it's much more than a distant something or rather from the days gone by of French cycling.

2. It's pure myth that 26 inchers are "mountain bike tires/wheels and ONLY that" and it bugs me endlessly. They became associated with mtb.'s because folks & companies like Joe Breeze, Specialized, Gary Fisher, etc spec'd them on the first mtb's as they actually used old cruiser balloon-type wheels & tires to get in, around and over the terrain... and they took hold as such. Rightfully so to a degree as 26 inchers (or as I prefer to call 'em 559mm) work in many different circumstances. Of course as we're now seeing with very wide 700c's also called "29 inch", they roll over very diverse terrain and are a preferred wheel size for wilderness riders.

3. Myth again... "Touring Bikes and/or their geometry is slow/sluggish". I hear and see this all the time. So not true. Take off the panniers, the racks, swap out the wheelset (if you must) and it'll go as fast as your level of conditioning allows... unless of course you're Lance or Jan or some other pro-level racer and you *have* to keep up with the Jones'.

On a personal note- going fast is fun but precisely how slow do you think a slightly wider tire and relaxed seattube is going to make you?? It's marketing hype and based on your worries you are dangeriously close to buying into it (no offense intended).

4. 26 makes about 100000000000000000% more sense than 650b if you want "one cycle for doing many different things". You can ride the size quick/fast, you can go off-road with less worries, you can ride centuries and lastly... you can go fulled loaded touring on it. It's a stronger wheel overall, more versatile and most importantly... it's available everywhere, in all forms, all configurations and with more tire/rim selection than you'll ever see in 650b.

Buy the Atlantis... it's what you need.

PS- Thanks for the nice comments on the blog...

-Me