Soylent 

Did anyone else contribute to this project? I haven't heard a word since. The original thread seems to be missing also.

Metacortex

Looks like it got funded: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...-bicycle-dropo

It does seem like the original thread was deleted: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...cycle-dropouts

Soylent 

Yes. He hasn't posted anything since March on that Kickstarter site.

IthaDan 

I had a weird experience with that guy. Around christmas he had a for sale thread up, so I called dibs one some small stuff (thumb shifters, an FD, I don't really remember, small stuff...). New years rolls around, still no word back, no confirmation number, no stuff. The 7th rolls around and I finally get in touch with the guy- claims that he's been to busy to box up and ship my $40 worth of random bike parts. After losing my cool and getting irate about how he's not only milking the community for dropout pictures, but he's following that up by being a horribly bad seller especially when the one excuse he has is stupid at best- let's not forget HE CHOSE THE TIMING for the for sale thread. After all that, he finally, reluctantly, refunded my money.

Turns out I wasn't the only one who got that treatment. I think Robbietunes got in touch with him (in person, they'd crossed paths in the past in... wherever Robbie's from) to get others' money back.

The whole thing is a little odd. Never had the best feeling about that guy.

Cache

Well intentioned but flaky. I completed a purchase from him a couple years back but it was like an episiotomy sans pain meds. But I'm still happy with the deal.

RaleighSport

Is he at least crediting you guys for all the dropout pics you guys contributed? That whole thread/idea seemed shady to me at the time but I could never put my finger on it.

Pars 

I did manage to complete a purchase from him, around the same time (maybe even the same ad) for some cable clips. Think it was the same user (OttoRax)? Hope he gets it published and gave appropriate credit to those who supplied pics.

cyclotoine

I got this update recently:

Another update is long overdue, and many emails have reminded me that the time for promised rewards has come. Unfortunately, it is not quite ready yet. With any project, you never really can gauge how long something will take - especially when some many aspects of the project are out of your control. For a period, things were ahead of schedule, then delayed, then ahead again. Right now, we are in one of those delays.

The digital formatting portion of the project has taken longer than I projected - which is why I had a professional do it. Only when I looked at the stack of what I had enlisted him to work his magic on did I fully realize the task I had given him. But now, many weeks later, it's on the horizon. Sam sent me a digital proof a couple of days ago and it really looks great. I'm anxious to f inalize the layout and get it to the printer so that I can see the final product myself, and get these books and posters out to all of you patient backers.

I won't guess on a final date for this, because I'd hate to be held to something with a few unknowns still ahead, but be assured it is close and everyone will be receiving their rewards soon.

Once I get the books back from the printer, I will be contacting everyone for their shipping information. Bear in mind, I'm one guy with a very full-time job, so the process of screenprinting dust covers, numbering, packaging, and shipping so many books and posters is a project in itself. But at that point, you will know where things stand and I will post pictures as soon as there is something substantial to show off. I'm willing to sacrifice a lot of sleep to fulfill what is promised to everyone. I have a bunch of shipping supplies in my living room just waiting to be stuffed and sent.

Thank you all for being pat ient - it's difficult for me too!

I signed on for a poster and really look forward to getting it. I can understand others frustrations. I have had only one or two transactions that tested my patience but in the end the sellers were good honest people and sent the stuff, they just hadn't really realized the amount of time and effort that is required to sell something online and ship it. It can be a commitment if you have a full life already, some people just have a harder time managing their time.

IthaDan 

No, Otto Rax.

OF course the swear filter will probably trip, so...

E: The filter for "otto" is finally gone!

Pars 

Yes, modified my post when I realized it wasn't the user I had named. The freewheel deal with blilrat was flawless.

IthaDan 

I went back through my PMs. On at least three different occasions he told me he had shipped out my parts (not boxed, shipped, as in handed to a postal employee) and would soon follow up with a tracking number. Even after he refunded my money, he was firmly sticking to his story that the parts had already shipped and I should keep an eye out for them. Bold. Faced. Lies.

What a maroon.

dveneman

Not a moron. Perhaps just a "dropout" of some sort.

mkeller234

bumpity bump bump. I just read cyclotione's update, which is good to hear. I was starting to get curious. I honestly kept forgetting that I went in for a poster. I'm moving in a couple weeks.... I hope that doesn't screw things up!

mkeller234

Anyone?

RobbieTunes

I got the same message cyclotoing got via Kickstarter. Many of us are in the odd position of being both the kickstart funder, which has no payoff, and the purchaser of the developed product (by way of the funding).

He used to work for REI and just changed to J&B, so I'll send him an email and see what's up.

Catnap 

this project was the first and only Kickstarter I ever contributed to. I'm still hoping to receive the book, the illustrations he posted were very nice.

RobbieTunes

This from Otto Rax:Seems it's not as simple as he thought or was told it would be. I'm going to High Point for the show and catch some of the criterium Nationals, should see him there.

mkeller234

Thanks for the update Robbie. I sent Otto Rax a PM about my change of address but never did get a response from him. Glad someone has a line to him.

Soylent 

Did you happen to see him there Robbie?

mkeller234

Bump. Any word on this?

Catnap 

+1 i want my book before i'm

mkeller234

Im worried because I moved. I sent him a personal message, but never did get a response. I'm the king of procrastination though... So maybe it's not fair for me to bump this thread so often!

Anyway, how y'all been?

seely

Here's an update for backers from a few days ago. I also moved and he seemed to indicate he would be sending out a request for addresses before shipping:

So here is the update many of you have been looking for based on my inbox.

You have no idea how hard this has been for me to be patient. I had no idea that I would be let down by the person I had enlisted to help me with the digital aspect of this. I'm shouldering a heavy load of responsibility for your investment and my reputation with this book, and I ask that you bear with me for a little bit longer. Let me address a few concerns and questions I've gotten:

Why did you scam us?

I didn't scam anybody! If you set out for an ambitious project like you've never undertaken before, there are going to be setbacks. The hardest kind are those obstacles that are out of your control, and this is just one of those circumstances where I can only push so much. I would never dare scam anyone, let alone the cycling community. I work and recreate with these people, and the last thing I would want to do is jeopardize my reputation over your $1, $5, $20, $35, etc.

Can I get a refund?

Yes, if you thought you were paying for a ready-to-go project, then I will refund your money.

I also suggest you become more familiar with Kickstarter and it's projects before you commit to backing. You are supporting a project that someone (in this case me) is doing in addition to their real life. 87% of Kickstarters projects are late, shipping 6-12 months behind schedule. Insulting the creator does not help them feel any better about what they are putting out. Patience and encouragement are appreciated. The deadline I set was very attainable when I initially kicked-off the campaign. At that time, I had several drawings in hand and was hoping that I could just get to 45. I'm now about to send out a 100 page book. So yes, this project snowballed, but I think it will be well worth it.

I received the proof copy on Tuesday and was not happy with it. I am looking to get the final one done ASAP. and shipped out with the posters ASAP. But I refuse to rush things to get the product in-hand at the expense of quality.

Patience is appreciated, you will all hear from me soon

fender1

Sounds like a scam.

seely

If he's actually willing to give people their money back, it's a pretty lousy scam. I tend to think he bit off more than he can chew. Hopefully he comes through eventually.