I noticed all other Kelly related threads are dead or lacking content. I thought it would be nice to start a new thread for Kelly owners to post their ride. Feel free to add a picture, a description of your ride,where you ride, and anything else. Cheers!
Here's mine:
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Kelly DeLuxe M
Built with parts aged from '99-'07
Living in Northeast FL right now so the Kelly gets brought out to ride Reddick and Santos while most of my riding gets done on my SS at Hanna park.
You know, it's funny about Kelly Bikes - they aren't as coveted as IF, Sycip, Seven or other high end custom frames, but they are super handling well thought out no nonsense bikes. I picked up a used roshambo a few years ago. The bike was an early 29er when the only tire available was the 2.1 nanoraptor. That didn't limit tire clearance like so many of the other 29ers at the time. I'm currently running 2.3s with room to spare. This is testament to Chris' foresight and solid engineering. I shipped the frame back to Chris two years ago to add disk tabs and have it powder coated. I have a bunch of bikes and have cycled through some very nice frames, but I always come back to the roshambo. It's just right - it fits like a glove with telepathic handling. The bike is a keeper. Can't say enough good things about Kelly. Get one if you can.
I't's similar to the Cdale headshock. I've considered building a 29r softail or short travel custom with one of those. It only works with a 1.25" headtube that is 5 to 5.25" long headtube so a custom is the only option and the travel is limited to about 2 3/8".
I have Kelly Deluxe set up as a SS. Purchased during the unfortunate sell off along with a few of the black ones that I gifted to family members. Will post picts as soon as I resize for upload.
I've spoken with him a couple of times over the last few weeks and here is the latest. Chris is making frames again and is slowly getting everything in order to start getting the frames out to the public. For those of you who purchased front triangles from him a few years ago, he is considering working a deal with you on finishing up the frame. Be on the lookout at kellybike.com
Everything he is doing now is "one-off" for each customer.
As an owner of two IF's and a Kelly, I can say that his powercoat with clear over rivals the Independent wet paint process. Not to say that one is better than the other, but they both are pretty tough and make a nice finish.
I've put in my order for another Deluxe - true one-speed with dedacciai stays, OX2 front triangle.
If you are looking for handmade in the USA frame from a one man shop, consider Chris. I have enjoyed our conversations and have appreciated his advice on framebuilding and paint and decal choices. As with all the handmade and custom frames, he does have a lead time that I'm sure will increase as his orders come in.
I picked up a Bonestock when they were closing shop a few years back. I wish I had went with a CX bike since the Kelly is my back-up road bike and doesn't get much love....
My dealings with Chris at Kelly Bikes have been nothing but great. A SS frame was delivered today and it is beyond my expectations.
Communication by phone and emails has been consistent. I was able to follow the build through his Facebook page and through Twitter. I'm sure he gets behind on some days which delays the final delivery date, but I can understand.
I'm not sure of how your situation is coming along, I hope it gets resolved soon and you are riding your Kelly bike. Once you get it, I'm sure you will be happy with it. Do please let us know how it all works out.
My only dealings with him impressed me greatly. This was a few years back, before he went out of business. I bought a straight bladed disk specific fork and was concerned about the alignment of the disk tabs so I emailed him with my questions. Imagine my surprize when my email was followed up with a phone call from Chris himself answering my questions. I have never had that happen before or since.
Back then he impressed me as honest and sincere. Hopefully nothing has changed.
I was going to post up "one of the best handling bikes" I have ever owned- a Kelly Deluxe.
Out of many bikes I own, I reach for this steel dream 80% of the time; trips out of state, 24 hr races- you name it.
THAT said, the guy on this thread who is waiting for a frame to be finished, and is being very patient but essentially experiencing a never-ending and protracted hassle w Kelly is NOT getting his frame, nor his money back despite endless promises. I am noting this independently because this is just a really bad restart for the brand Kelly. It is local, and I would rather see the RIGHT THING DONE, and proceed with extolling the brand (and also I can post a goddamn pic of my Pride).
CK- We all have missteps, let this be one that doesn't knock you down, flat. I'd hate to see it happen; you have many loyal, loving owners who would help if it's just a stumble.
I've looooong lusted after a bike from Kelly and am finally in a financial position to order one.. but the above posts have made me a tad nervous about proceeding.. it's alot of money to gamble with (I'm on the Aussie dollar) and would really like to hear some more feedback or the result of the above proceedings before going ahead.
...I really want to order a Knobby X with vertical or sliding dropouts! Soooo awesome. Hope it happens.
I haven't heard anything re Chris/Kelly production locally, sightings or about visits to his shop. His website suggests all is up and running though- taking orders, etc.
Some members of Bicyclists Of Nevada County- BONC, are pretty clued in to the local bike scene, and they should be able to give you the skinny. See if you can get on their Yahoo group listing and inquire. If unsuccessful, post back here and I'll catch it, and I'll track down a few dudes who should know Kelly's status.
I can't believe this issue has not ben resolved by now.
i want to get some new forks for my kelly deluxe. i don't know if the geometry is ok with a 100mm travel fork. any thoughts?
derrgti, how much travel does the fox fork on your deluxe have?
First fork on my Deluxe was a 100 Manitou black, and it was a blast to ride. Then I put on an IT Minute 130 (short travel respectively doesn't always work with the rides we do in the Sierra Nevada Mtns), Even though I could move from 100 to 130, 130 is where it stays, and the bike handles beautifully. When I do move it back to 100 - which is pretty rare; it's for very long steep climbs only, it feels a bit dead to me otherwise. Mostly just plain juxtaposition I know (considering first experience), but it does support that at 130, the bike handles perfectly fine, feels great, full control, balance, and so forth. And this make it a fine all-mountain bike, preferred and most often the only choice from the stable when comes a ride. Damn sweet bike.
So there is quite a bit of leeway w forks. Occasionall I'll drop it to 100 for kicks and I just as quickly move it back up. The A2C for the Minute may be a bit shorter than comparable 120 to 140 mm travel forks.
I'll say throwin on the 130 was not death for the deluxe- quite the opposite.
I just picked up a deluxe. It's gonna need to be stripped and powdercoated as there is rust on the cable stops, canti mounts and on the bottom of the BB shell. Does anyone know if replacement decals are available?
Does anyone know if they have serial numbers? I looked all over and could not find one.
I just picked up a deluxe. It's gonna need to be stripped and powdercoated as there is rust on the cable stops, canti mounts and on the bottom of the BB shell. Does anyone know if replacement decals are available?
Does anyone know if they have serial numbers? I looked all over and could not find one.
Give the Chris Kelly a call, notice. He is supposedly building again, in Nevada City. He has a facebook page also.
This is from the seller posting. This will be for myself. I'm 5'7' and pretty short legged. Think its a 2007-2012? Don't see a name on the rear frame area that I can make out. Asked about the fork brack on backwards? Was told by 2 different people it was a one or two year idea that Kelly had. Thanks for the input.
For Sale: XS Kelly Hardtail 26er mountain bike. Fully custom premium frame. Components are Shimano XT & SRAM 3x 9 speed. Full specs available upon request. PM me. Would fit 4'11-5'5". Great first mtb or convert to SS! Atlanta, GA area. Local sales only
The fork "bracket" brake arch is specific to the brand of fork period- Manitou, this case a short travel 'R-7' (80-100mm of travel), nothing to do w frame. Many run this brand of fork -including myself on a few of my bikes. As for year, probably JUST before 2007, but definately not newer, no bike built between then and 2012, that's for sure.
So, I have a medium 'Deluxe' which I think is the same frame; great 'OX Platinum' steel tubing, one of the best hardtail bikes I have. Lively geometry. I've met the builder a few times, last when he was closing up business. Decade later he has started building again -super slow rate, if at all.
Concern is sizing, for you are 5'7" and I think a small is better suited than a XS. I ride a medium and I am stocky and perfect fit. Not sure his sizing is 15 17 19", or 16, 18, 20" -'S, M, L' (seems the former)
XS is generally around the 14" mark, and this is just a very general guess. So it may be too small despite shorter legs as the top tube measurement for a 'XS' may put you over the front bars too much in regard to your upper body reach. Could you ride this bike? Sure. might even be fun, but still a misfit possibly.
You being beginner, a hardtail bike is fine, but I wish it was in the 16-17" frame size for you, at least, 15.5". As for components, they can always be switched-out, changed. The frame alone (as they were sold) is worth about $300 -to you (msrp $900+ roughly, "20" yrs ago)
Let us know the asking price, and your intentions forward, and if warranted we can break down the components for you: brand, model, types and their separate worth.
Depending on how much you have to spend, there may be a better suited bike to go with regardless of how nice -and now- more rare a "Kelly Deluxe" comes around.
I'll see and look for more info, so far Google- 'Kelly Deluxe frame sizes' -gets you some info, such as older Kelly page, forum dialogue, etc.
Kelly® measures Seat-Tube center of BB to top of top tube and Top Tube center to center. For a sloping top tube Kelly® uses a theoretically top tube line to measure center to center.
production sizes S M L XL
Seat-tube x Top tube 15"x23" 17"x23.5" 19"x24" 21"x25"
So have HIM measure from CENTER of headtube at top tube junction back to seat tube line ON A LEVEL -THIS WILL END BEING A MEASUREMENT WHERE THE LINE WILL HIT THE CENTER OF SEATPOST, since the top tube slopes away. It may be a Small
Chris Kelly has a Facebook Page, don't know if it is active; him participating, even tho he picked up the torch again two years ago.
After all this, if it is a small, maybe. And the price is good, and not inflated for "Rare bike" price.
Let us know $$$
No rust down the tubes (it's steel after all, and has been around a while and who knows how well it has really been taken care of)
owner is asking $500. Current owner is 5'3" and she is selling to finance some parts for her downhill bike she races. I'm about 250 miles but she is willing to meet me at a bike shop about 1/2 way to test ride. Thank you for your replies. My budget is up to $800.
have her make that measurement: center to center tube on the HORIZONTAL, from center headtube to center of... seatpost (virtual top tube length)- you need the size!!
To determine whether it is a small. I ride a medium and I am 5' 9" 29-30" inseam, so short leg wise too as mean proportion.
I can guess from picture you provided but why when she can get a tape measure? Also confirm says "Deluxe" on top tube, near the front to confirm model
definitely, or near pre-2007 who knows, not after as shut down for long time
Compare her measurement to what the Deluxe frame sizes on the page; do it while she is still on the phone even, so she can make any other measurement i.e., BB to toptube
Even his old page shows smallest at 15", he has known to make custom sizes, we just don't want you on anything less than 15", that's fer sure. (You suited to 16"" in general)
saw you were also looking at Kona, and Cannondale. A shop that is decent; you feel respectable, and will stand by you, AND won't just be nice 'for the sale', is a plus re problems warranty! This can be a difficult part in buying new -a good to better shop.
As a beginner, your size, lean toward 27.5 as largest wheel for now. Great number of used 26" out here as you have found out, and are fine platforms.
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Originally Posted by mrjustin007
