I'm in the preliminary stages of ordering an Epic Mountaineer. I understand that patience is of the utmost importance when ordering a frame from Curtlo; might any of you Curtlo owners be so kind as to post a few pics on this thread?
I figure it might just make the lead-time seem a bit shorter.
Glad to see someone else is in the same boat as me. I just ordered an Advanced Mountaineer (about 3 weeks ago). When I was talking to Doug, he said time to completion is about 10 weeks.
Very nice ride. Fillet brazed frame. Curved seat stays. But I like my IF Deluxe a little better. The blue one is a 02 mountaineer Solo with track dropouts curved stays and v- mounts, and the third one is I think a 92 Aluminum Curtlo,It has canti stop
Very nice ride. Fillet brazed frame. Curved seat stays. But I like my IF Deluxe a little better. The blue one is a 02 mountaineer Solo with track dropouts curved stays and v- mounts, and the third one is I think a 92 Aluminum Curtlo,It has canti stop
Impressive line-up; I really appreciate you taking the time to forward the pics! My frame will have paragon adjustable dropouts, and will be prepped for (future) use as a geared hard tail; it'll be set up as a single speed for a while (maybe forever!)
Any words of wisdom you can offer for dealing with Curtlo? Anything I should be aware of or pay special attention to?
Also, how do you like your White Bros. sussy fork? I ride a Pace RC31 XC rigid carbon fork, but I've got a buddy who just ordered a White Bros. for his Ti Quireing frame.
I have never had any complaints about my frame. I love the curved stays and them brazed joints.
as for forks, I love White Brothers forks. They are really a set it and forget it fork. the one pictured is a 05 XC.8 so it has a manual lockout if you like rigid. I also have an 00 XC-4 air sprung and air dampened fork that is also awesome. Very rigid forks, very easy to service very light weight. bothe weight in between 3-3.5 Not bad for a fork that has 32mm stanction and @ 8 inches of steerer. My next fork and most likely the one after that will be a White Brothers.
I placed my order for mine at the beginning of February. On February 1, I heard from Doug in my initial "interview" about what I wanted, etc. He said he's sure he'd have more questions for me and that he'd follow up (which I assume means that at the time, we'll talk about how I want the cable stops put on, etc). He quoted me 10 weeks to complete the bike and I made my deposit. Now, 4 weeks later, I haven't heard anything from him in regards to the finer details or what color I'd like, etc.
My question is, is this common? Seems to me that letting 4 to 5 weeks go by without even letting me know where the project stands is absurd. I really don't want to bother him as I'm sure he's busy, but I'm beginning to wonder if he has forgotten. Any advice?
at the risk of sounding cliche, "patience is a virtue." Doug Curtiss has a stellar reputation as a custom frame builder, and you're right, he does stay very busy. Most Curtlo owners I've been in contact with all agree one two things;
1. Quality of the end-product is very good!
2. Well worth the wait, and you will wait!
I placed my order closer to the middle of February, at which time I submitted the required measurements, and also a few pics of me on my current bike. I have emailed Doug since then several times to "follow up" on the emails I've sent. Doug has always made the time to return my emails. I think that the "finer details" will be critical later on in the actual build stage, so I wouldn't worry much. Either send him an email or give him a call. Keep me posted on how things progress.
I placed my order for mine at the beginning of February. On February 1, I heard from Doug in my initial "interview" about what I wanted, etc. He said he's sure he'd have more questions for me and that he'd follow up (which I assume means that at the time, we'll talk about how I want the cable stops put on, etc). He quoted me 10 weeks to complete the bike and I made my deposit. Now, 4 weeks later, I haven't heard anything from him in regards to the finer details or what color I'd like, etc.
My question is, is this common? Seems to me that letting 4 to 5 weeks go by without even letting me know where the project stands is absurd. I really don't want to bother him as I'm sure he's busy, but I'm beginning to wonder if he has forgotten. Any advice?
Just as an FYI - I put my deposit down on Jan-18 and was quoted an 8 week lead time (fully expecting 10+ weeks). It has been almost 7 weeks since then and I'm still waiting to receive a drawing / draft of the frame geometry to approve.
Thanks to all that have posted their pichers - it helps show that good things come to those who wait.
In that case, it is 8 weeks down (total quoted delivery time) and 7 weeks to go?
I honestly don't mind waiting 15 weeks for a quality and value product, but I would just prefer that this was told to me upfront.
Hope you enjoy your new ride once it arrive to your doorstep.
Cheers - Suds
My wait time was significantly longer than quoted, but this was the bike I wanted,
so I tried to go in with the attitude of "I'll get it when I get it." I'm not really sure
why he doesn't just quote longer lead times from the outset, but that's his choice.
I don't think Doug puts a lot of emphasis on communication until it's your turn.
Once my number came up, we went through detail design and two drawing revisions
in about 36 hours. When it's your turn in the barrel, things will happen fast.
I choose to view it this way - The less time he spends talking and the more time
he spends building, the faster we all get our bikes.
My Advanced Mountaineer
I got it in '99. I've had a few shock setups on it and have now gone rigid. Kelly Disc. I LOVE this bike! Fast, Light and tracks like a Hound Dog!
Last edited by eldogo; 03-30-2007 at 07:18 PM.
Reason: New Pictures
Any of you kids have updates on your build? I'm in week 8 now. Haven't heard a word.
I'm sitting approx 11 weeks out (quoted 8 weeks). I did get a chance to talk to Doug briefly on the phone at week 7 - at that time he estimated that I should see some progress, in 3 weeks - wait, that would have been last week. From all accounts, once your turn is up, thing happen fast, at least that's what I'm hoping for. I know the frame that Doug makes will be what I really want, so I'll do my best to chill and relax until then.
I'm sitting approx 11 weeks out (quoted 8 weeks). I did get a chance to talk to Doug briefly on the phone at week 7 - at that time he estimated that I should see some progress, in 3 weeks - wait, that would have been last week. From all accounts, once your turn is up, thing happen fast, at least that's what I'm hoping for. I know the frame that Doug makes will be what I really want, so I'll do my best to chill and relax until then.
Mine got here last Friday, for about a 16 week lead time. I've been too busy riding
it to take any pictures or post, but there's a couple shots below.
Epic Mountaineer
EBB SS 36:20
Reba Race
Thomson bar / stem
Race Face Square Taper cranks
King SS Disc hubs / CX-Ray spokes / 717 rims
Flite
Cane Creek S-8 headset, AD-5 shock
Kenda weenies
Yadda yadda
It would have been a bargain at double the price and four times the wait.
I absolutely couldn't be happier.
Fit is perfect, alignment is perfect, geometry and handling are superb.
Softail functions better than I dared hope. It doesn't feel like "suspension"
at all - Zero bobbing while out of the saddle, but knocks down all of the
trail buzz. Seven hours of Pisgah this weekend without the slightest bit
of back pain or stiffness. No issues with flex, at least not with my hulking
147 pounds.
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Why the short head tube?
Originally Posted by chruby99
. From all accounts, once your turn is up, thing happen fast, at least that's what I'm hoping for. I know the frame that Doug makes will be what I really want, so I'll do my best to chill and relax until then.
