janvier 11, 2013

A brief history #5 | KENT ERIKSEN cycles



Founded in 1981 by Kent Eriksen, who is now a member of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, Moots has been identified as a source for innovation in the bicycle industry since its inception. Specializing in titanium, and designing the YBB soft-tail yolk. Throughout its history, Moots has been known for the innovative bicycle components they design and manufacture. In the 1980s, Eriksen design the company's "Moots Mounts," clamp-on cantilever posts which could be removed or repositioned using only an allen wrench. Another innovation was an early version of what became known as "bar ends" in the 1990s. The product made by Moots clamped inside the brake levers and had large wooden balls at the ends. Kent started using titanium in 1991 following his revolutionary work fabricating frames out of steel. 


Eventually Kent left Moots in 2004, went on hiatus, to start his own custom frame shop and is now back with Kent Eriksen Cycles and still builds in Steamboat Springs,CO, not far from the Rocky Mountains. Forever the innovator, tester and designer, titanium use was a natural progression. Kent’s signature is his ability to shape, form and fit titanium tubes specific for each bike he designs. Kent Eriksen's shop is full of specialized benders, squishers and shaping tools used daily in the fabrication of custom frames.


The above bicycle is a full suspension 650B, Titanium bicycle. Up front, the Maverick DUC32 handles the steering, and has been modified to allow maximum travel mated to a 650B tyre. The rear utilized Ventana's faux-bar linkage along with Eriksen manufactured titanium seat stays (Ventana's OE version uses aluminum stays instead). 
This is truly a beautiful bike, and only one of the many 650B frame that Eriksen Cycle has produced.