Matt Chester is No more
05-10-06 | 10:33 AM
#1
Thread Starter
1FG
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Big Whiskey
Bikes: late 70's fixed schwinn
Matt Chester is No more
well not as in Dead, as in not making bikes any more. sad to see a biking legend go away, especially one who was such a proponent of cool ass things like practicality over looks and fixed gear offroading. more info Here
05-10-06 | 10:40 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 36
From: Williston, VT
Bikes: Bridgestone RB-T, Soma Rush, Razesa Racer, ⅔ of a 1983 Holdsworth Professional, Nishiki Riviera Winter Bike
I actually think that's pretty cool. The guy tried to turn his passion into his business. He discovered as many do that trying to make a living out of a labor of love sometimes fails on both counts, and he's stopping. Sad for those who wanted to buy one of his frames, but good for him. He'll continue to build frames, but for the love of building without the pressures of business.
05-10-06 | 10:45 AM
#4
Thread Starter
1FG
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Big Whiskey
Bikes: late 70's fixed schwinn
yeah thats the same reason i will never* build frames for a living no matter how good i get at it.
*as long as i still need money to live, if i win the lottery all bets are off
*as long as i still need money to live, if i win the lottery all bets are off
05-10-06 | 12:15 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,357
Likes: 167
From: Sacramento CA
Bikes: Too Many
Wow, this is the second small builder I heard that is throwing in the towel. Kelly anounced the same thing last month. Too bad...
__________________
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
05-10-06 | 12:16 PM
#8
jack of one or two trades
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,640
Likes: 0
From: Suburbia, CT
Bikes: Old-ass gearie hardtail MTB, fix-converted Centurion LeMans commuter, SS hardtail monster MTB
That sucks. At least he's got a good attitude about it (getting to have a social life, etc.) One less option out there for your custom Ti bike. 
05-10-06 | 12:30 PM
#10
contrarian
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 0
From: CO Springs
Bikes: 80's ross road bike/commuter, 80's team miyata, 90's haro mtb xtracycle conversion, koga mitaya world traveler
Originally Posted by Cynikal
Wow, this is the second small builder I heard that is throwing in the towel. Kelly anounced the same thing last month. Too bad...
Geez, I'm out of the loop: thank's for mentioning!
Me/sad
__________________
Higher ground for the apocalypse!
Higher ground for the apocalypse!
05-10-06 | 01:30 PM
#12
Thread Starter
1FG
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Big Whiskey
Bikes: late 70's fixed schwinn
Waltworks! or Spicer or badger or carl strong or curtlo or black sheep or lots of others.
i recoment walt for steel and black sheep for Ti. black sheep does some incredible work in Ti. infact he built my friend this 17.2 lb 29er xc bike and he did it on scedule!
i recoment walt for steel and black sheep for Ti. black sheep does some incredible work in Ti. infact he built my friend this 17.2 lb 29er xc bike and he did it on scedule!
05-10-06 | 01:48 PM
#14
Originally Posted by onetwentyeight
absntr - theres one on the sf bay area craigslist right now.
Thanks Cale. I've also considered Sycip.
05-10-06 | 02:03 PM
#15
mouth breather
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, ON
Bikes: Marinoni track
For some reason this makes me profoundly sad.
I've always loved his image with the tag "why do you work?" as a bit of a mantra. In some ways it was the catalyst (along with the rest of his efforts) for me leaving my corporate job and radically refocusing my energy on creative, fulfiling work rather than mindless dronery.
I think I'm going to go out and ride my bike.
I've always loved his image with the tag "why do you work?" as a bit of a mantra. In some ways it was the catalyst (along with the rest of his efforts) for me leaving my corporate job and radically refocusing my energy on creative, fulfiling work rather than mindless dronery.
I think I'm going to go out and ride my bike.
05-11-06 | 10:02 AM
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh!
Bikes: Track bike, road fixed, cross fixed, two single speed mountain.
Originally Posted by 12XU
Looks like Devolution (Brad Q.) is on the wait list in the "special project" section.
05-11-06 | 12:22 PM
#21
or tarckeemoon, depending
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,017
Likes: 2
From: the pesto of cities
Bikes: Davidson Impulse, Merckx Titanium AX, Bruce Gordon Rock & Road, Cross Check custom build, On-One Il Pomino, Shawver Cycles cross, Zion 737, Mercian Vincitore, Brompton S1L, Charge Juicer
A bummer, buy hey if it ain't making ya happy... It does suck that market forces played such a big role in his decision, but it's understandable.
This did give me a much-needed kick in the @ss to seriously consider a custom frame though. I'm calling a potential builder today.
This did give me a much-needed kick in the @ss to seriously consider a custom frame though. I'm calling a potential builder today.
05-12-06 | 08:14 AM
#22
Dismount Run Remount etc.
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,235
Likes: 0
From: Some Latitude and Some Longitude
Bikes: A couple customs and some beaters.
Originally Posted by Walkercycles
And just so you know, Bruce Gordon says his shop is for sale, too.
DW
DW
