|
|
|
Cherry Bicycles |
Handcrafted in |
|
|
|
The "Cherry Bomb" was a project that we were most excited about. Ignoring the "tube set" mentality used by most builders, we selected each tube on an individual basis after we had set the design criteria.
The "Cherry Bomb" was conceived after the most extensive amount of research possible. We obtained all of the different types of tube sets commonly available. We compiled charts and lists that gave us all the dimensions and weights of each individual tube. Then, after doing finite element stress analysis on a model frame, we determined the location of peak stress points and the direction they travel. Over the years we have been able to study numerous bent and broken frames that we have seen brought into our bicycle shop; this experience assisted us in determining where to strengthen a frame. Having been exposed to and ridden hundreds of different bikes, we have an extensive knowledge of how bikes ride and how they feel. Using this knowledge base, developed through experience, we are able to detect even the most minute differences. We built numerous prototypes which we tested, and had others test ride as well. Only then, having completely satisfied our objectives through very extensive research, we were ready to introduce the "Cherry Bomb". Go Back to the Cherry Bomb ATB page. Go Back to the Cherry Bomb Road page
In the past labor was a cheap and abundant commodity. Today we live in a time where simplifying procedures in an effort to reduce the building time of each frame is important to nearly all frame builders as they strive to hold down the frame cost, because of this, the "art" of frame building has all but disappeared. In times long past, a frame craftsman would modify and arrange the parts of his frame into an expression of uniqueness that represented himself and made his product stand out. Today most frame builders are satisfied with using the frame components as delivered without modifications; thus eliminating the uniqueness of his product and making his frame look like so many hundreds of other frames available.
The "Cherry Cordial" truly has a style that brings back the artistic value that made hand-crafted frames famous. Features unique to the "Cherry Cordial" include handcut, thinned lugs and fork crown, custom tubular brake and chain stay bridges with stiffeners, a seldom seen Brampton Victor direct miter fast back and a classic mix of Columbus SLX tubing with a geometry tuned for long distance comfort. Combining these features by low temperature silver brazing the "Cherry Cordial" is an original piece of art. Back to the Cherry Cordial page.
The Fat Boy was conceived one sleepless night when I struggled to decide if I liked lugged or lugless fillet brazed frames best. There I was struggling to decide which I liked better and I wasn't going to sleep till I decided. After tossing around for hours weighing all the pros and cons it became obvious that I liked both and if forced to decide I would get no sleep. It was then that I conceived of the idea to blend the two together.
The next day I started building the first prototype for my wife Marcia. It was Marcia that arrived at the name "Fat Boy" for her bike as she desired to own a Harley Davidson. I decided that the name was appropriate since our unique design freed us from the constraints of traditional sized tubing and lugs. I chose to use the finest steel tubing available for bicycles: Columbus' new EL Nivacrom Tubing. Go Back to the Cherry Jubilee page.
I must confess; I did not conceive the idea nor the name for this ATB model ñ you did. After reading the following sampling of letters that I had received, you'll understand.
Dear John, please build me a durable mountain bicycle frame with geometry tuned for tight, wooded, single track riding. I won't be going 50 miles per hour, so I don't need high speed stability. What I want is low speed agility and a high bottom bracket for jumping logs.
Dear John, keep in mind that I'm not a NORBA racer and I am not rich, so build me an affordable frame that will last me a life time of wood thrashing and won't break my bank account.
Dear John, in the future I will probably want to use a Rock Shock fork and would like the capability to do so when I can afford to.
Dear John, I'm thinking about going to Colorado or Utah to do some mountain bike riding over spring break, which is in a couple of weeks. I realize this is a big request but could you possibly deliver the bike on time to fulfill my dreams? I will be anxiously waiting to hear from you. Go Back to the Dear John ATB page.
After extensive research done through many resources available to us, we have drawn the conclusion that titanium might possibly be the best, cost is no object material for a bicycle frame developed yet. We drew upon our extensive pool of resources including Purdue University, one of the top engineering schools in the country and Alcoa, whose Lafayette plant extrudes most of the aluminum tubing used in the bicycle industry including Easton tubing. Because of Indiana's central location and long history of auto racing, we have many racing shops located nearby. Good engineering to us is not just finding the strongest material but selecting the best material for a particular application by comparing all the mechanical properties and selecting the best material based on the criteria of a particular application. In some applications fatigue strength is of greater importance than ultimate tensile strength.
Titanium is a very peculiar metal for which there is only limited applications. Where it works well is in applications that require a high degree of corrosive resistance, and applications where elasticity with a high degree of fatigue resistance is necessary such as springs. Which brings us to the bicycle frame. In our opinion a bicycle frame should be stiff enough to be energy efficient but compliant enough to be comfortable to ride. We believe that to a large extent frame flex, particularly in a vertical axis is the suspension of a bicycle. So believing that it is ok to allow the bicycle frame to have some give to it, the material that you build the frame out of should have a high degree of fatigue strength. Look in any racing engine and we bet you'll find titanium valve springs.
Titanium is a fairly machinable and weldable material. Our greatest hurdle was the availability of titanium frame building components. All of the parts you seldom think about were very limited in availability, i.e. braze-ons, drop outs, bottom brackets, and head tubes. There are only a couple of actual manufacturers of titanium component parts and we were not satisfied with the quality of the components that were available. So we set about developing the highest quality frame building components possible. We are doing the complete job ourselves ñ titanium components and frames. Go Back to the Cherry Titanium ATB page. Go Back to the Cherry Titanium Road page.
|
|
|
Cherry Bicycles |
Handcrafted in |
|
|
|
Last Updated: May 25, 2007
Back to Homepage