Random photos for Ron

29/27.5+ with Rohloff/SS/geared capabilities, fun times.

Cleaned up and vented for DT welding-in

Fluxy

Like a boss

Front end

Toptube oxide rainbows

Give me a brake!

...says Bean. Good thing you can adjust the reach like crazy on old plastic SRAM 5.0 brake levers!

Frankenbike started out as Dora the Explorer from Walmart by way of garage sale. Yes, that's a Thomson post.

This was the old system:

Brian's frame class bike - complete!

I did nothing but stand by and advise/run my mouth. Brian built this sucker from the ground up about a month ago - 150mm travel 27.5 hardtail with slack angles, super short stays, and all the modern bells and whistles. Nice work!

Edit: frame class details here. A couple spots still open for fall this year!

Prepare to be shredded, Marquette

I love my job...

Backyard dual slalom

Gal's FR 29er

Sorry, I meant "enduro"

MUNI!

Another ~400 or so reasons to come visit and build a frame...

Weekly random shop photos

Word on the street is I might have an actual website at some point soon...

In the meantime, I'm still making stuff out of metal.

Getting close

All mitered

Sideways Solidbikes 30.9 plug

Soon you'll be covered up by the downtube...

Day in the life...

Not shown: spending 10 minutes removing powdercoat masking tape from inside of head/seat tubes, cutting finger in process, packing boxes and taping stuff up, cutting finger again on tape gun, etc. Glamourous, baby.

Also, not my ride picture, sadly. That's Miguel's fun, I ride at night, or pull a trailer full of kids.

The student has become the master...

Brian under the hood.

Oh, what the heck... one more

Sarah's (not my Sarah) new 29x4" bike. Featuring BB wrench counterweight and no shock bushings yet! It's friday...

No decals either? Walt's not even trying...

Pretty normal modern XC geometry, dropper post compatibility, and remote lockouts and adjustable travel out the wazoo. Sooner or later I gotta modernize my own stuff, my own FS bike looks pretty darn obsolete these days.

This thing would fit me pretty well if the seat tube and head tube were both 2" longer

Gal's Slack/Short/Long FS bike... done!

Well, it still needs cable guides. But mostly done.

Really squeezing to get everything to fit with those short stays!

DBinline is hot hot hot - 140mm travel here.

And, of course, the geometry (with magic invisible rear end). No sag shown here. Gal also has a fun 29+ hardtail I built for him a few years back.

Short rear end, slack, long travel... sound familiar? 

Return from Vacation Rant: Nobody Cares About the 80s

Framebuilders who started during the great 2000s wave all sort of fit the same profile. White guys, some with silly facial hair, who quit art school/day job/social life and decided to make bikes for money (or, in many cases, really, just as a hobby that looks like a job, but I won't go into that here).

I'm one of them, of course - one of the folks who caught the 29er wave and never looked back. Talk about good (lucky) timing...

In any case, I'm hardly in a position to throw stones from my atrocious website, but I have a bone to pick with you, fellow builders. Your profile pages suck. (Y)our backstories are all almost identical.

Let's tally it up:

-Everyone rode a BMX in the 80s. Everyone. You might as well mention that you like Reeses Pieces and long walks on the beach. It's just not relevant to building bike frames, because it doesn't distinguish you in any way from the millions of other kids of that era who also rode BMX bikes in the dirt lot behind the Piggly Wiggly. Yes, you love bikes. So does most of humanity.

-You (we) are old, and getting older. Punk rock is dead. If you want to be different and cool you have to try harder than pointing out that you like IPAs and bluegrass/punk/90s hip hop/Johnny Cash (guilty as charged...) Basically every white person in our generation likes those thing. If you wanted to stand out you'd be really into, say, wine coolers and Moby. Or Chinese opera and peyote.




-Macro photos of someone peering at a dial indicator are a dime a dozen. Likewise anonymous hoodie-wearing dudes with welding helmets on hunched over a glowing TIG torch. Here's the thing, though - sticking the metal together and making it straight enough to ride right aren't really what a customer is paying for. You should show some *design work*. Show some unusual stuff. Explain why you know how to build something that rides like a dream.

-Don't mention that you worked in a bike shop, because so did every other bike-obsessed kid on earth, basically. It also in no way qualifies you to build a fun bike for someone. I'm pretty crappy at, say, bleeding Magura brakes. But that's not my job - that would be like wanting to make sure the engineer who designed your car worked at Jiffy Lube when they were in high school.

-Lots of facial hair just means you probably aren't using a respirator when you're hunched over that smoking metal for an hour or two a day. It's your body, I guess.

-Everyone else also drinks PBR at least occasionally.

-And of course, last but not least: poverty does not make you cool. The last thing I want is a frame built by someone who makes no profit and will be out of business/his girlfriend's garage in a year. I want a frame from someone who takes vacations, and doesn't have to depend on deposits coming in to order tubes, and will answer the phone in 10 years when I need to know if I can put a 100mm travel fork on.

You killed Kenny!

Perhaps I should have noted, yesterday, as I waxed enthusiastic about Supertherm, that it kills cutters...

Slain by a lowly head tube gusset!

We do the weird stuff

I look like I've been hit by a car...

 135 fork with 17.5 offset for a 5" tire?

No problem.

We do the weird stuff.

Anyone for a nice normal road bike? Anyone? 73/73? Nice parallel toptube miters? 23c tire clearance so I don't have to bend every tube on the bike? What's that? You want a full Super Record Group to go with it?

Nope, next project is a boost 148 freeride 27.5... with a ton of cool stuff. Sometimes I'm jealous of folks who get to build $10k roadies all day... but man, you gotta love having something weird and new to take on every day.

Learn to Build a Frame with Framebuilding Classes at Waltworks World HQ

2015 Note: Class prices are now $2750 for full experience/Option 2, and $1900 for Fly-on-the-Wall.

Yes, I've decided I finally have enough shop space and live in a cool enough place that people might want to come visit and have me help them build their own bike.

So, what's the deal, you say?

-I'll be teaching a very limited number of one-on-one, one to two week long classes. That's right, one student at a time, Monday through Friday. In rare cases I will consider doing a 2-student lesson if you have a friend who wants to do it at the same time. You can pick a one week intensive (7-8 hours a day) class, or take your time and do more riding/fun and spread it out over 2 weeks (3-4 hours a day).

-We'll collaboratively design your new bike using BikeCAD pro (you'll have unlimited use of the program during your one week class, but if you want to continue using it after that, you'll need to purchase a license from the fine folks at Bicycle Forest). As many of you know, I'm a huge geometry and fit geek - so you'll get to pick my brain and learn all about how I do a bike design, talk through tradeoffs of every variable, and figure out your ideal geometry/wheel size/componentry.

-You'll be given full use of the WW shop machines and tools and my undivided attention to help you operate them. The course fee includes all materials (S and S couplers are an additional $400) needed to complete your frame and I guarantee that you will leave with a rideable and safe frame (this may mean I have to do some aspects of the construction myself if you're having a lot of trouble). You will also have as much practice time and material as you'd like to learn to TIG weld or braze, as well as unlimited use of BikeCAD pro to design bikes to your heart's content.

-I'll be offering 2 pricing options:

Option 1: $1900 - Fly on the Wall. This is the watch-and-learn but no actual building option. If you've always wanted to see how I build a frame but don't want to actually do it yourself, come hang out and watch me build yours!

-In your spare time, enjoy our 500+ miles of singletrack, right out the back door (or, in the winter, the 7 ski resorts within a 30 minute drive). Park City is the only IMBA gold-level ride center in the world and you can make great riding vacation out of your trip. I'm happy to provide info on local trails and yes, I want to ride with you!
-Build your bike up and ride it when it's still warm from the torch (ok, that's an exaggeration). But if you're interested in test riding your bike before it even gets powdercoated, we'll order parts in advance and assemble so you can test ride right here in UT.
-Super excited about building after watching for a few hours? Upgrade at any time to:

Option 2: $2750 - You Build It, Walt Helps. This is the real business - you do it all, and I provide as much help/instruction/encouragement as it takes to make sure you end up with a great frame. Be ready to work hard!
-All materials included. If you blow a hole in a tube, I'll hand you another one, no problem. Need weird dropouts or unusual BB shell or a curved tube? Again, it's all included with the exception of couplers (if you want them). 880t or ER70 welding rod, silver brazing wire, flux, argon - it's all included.
-Build anything you want. Dirt jumper? Crazy slack/short 29er? 650b? 36er? Time trial bike? Fattie? We can do any size of seatpost/dropper, any fork, curve tubes, do any unusual geometry or use any unusual component. The world is your oyster. Tandems and full suspension bikes cost extra, though!

-Learn the basics of TIG, fillet brazing, and lug work (or just one) and practice as much as you'd like on my professional level equipment. Unlimited practice scrap/tubing is available for your use/destruction.
-If you're really struggling, I will step in and help you finish any task necessary so that your bike ends up safe and fun.
-Just as with Option 1, you'll be in mountain bike heaven and have time to ride. We can assemble your new bike for a test ride or two while you're here as well as long as we order parts in advance.
-In some cases I will ask you to do "homework" before arriving to familiarize yourself with some basic movements for welding. This can include sending you a big box of mitered scraps for practice if you have access to welding equipment (check with your local maker space, DIY associations, community college, etc), recommendations on equipment, etc. Full phone/email support for you while you start practicing on your own.
-If you have zero fabrication/welding experience and/or want to make sure you have plenty of time to ride, I recommend a 2 week (10 day) class in which we meet for 4 hours a day. This will give your brain more time to process what's going on, you won't get as exhausted, and you'll be more relaxed and have more time to enjoy the mountains.


What's NOT included?

-Transportation to Park City. We're only 25 minutes from the SLC international airport so flying is easy. Or you could make a road trip out of it. Within the Park City area, there is an extensive network of bike paths and a free bus system - so it's up to you whether you'll want to rent a car.

-Lodging. There are great deals in the summer, in winter it'll be a little pricier. During mud season (April/May) it's practically free (and yes, there's riding that is dry by then).
-Parts to assemble your bike. You are welcome to salvage and bring your own used stuff, or you can take advantage of my super-smoking parts deals and buy them from me.
-Fork building instruction. If you'd like to build a rigid fork as well please contact me to discuss - this will cost extra money and take extra time unless you are a very quick study.
-Loaner bikes/skis. If my bikes fit you (not bloody likely, I'm shaped like a T-rex, but you never know) you are welcome to borrow them. It's more likely that you'll need to bring your own or rent if you want to ride in your free time before your frame is done. Same story with skis (got a size 45 foot and like skate skiing? You're in luck. Otherwise, not so much).
-Warranty. If you're building it yourself, I will do my best to help you make a safe, long-lasting frame - but it won't be a Waltworks (it'll be a yournamehereworks) and as such you won't get any warranty protection if something breaks. If you are doing fly-on-the-wall, a warranty is of course included.
-Decals. A one-color powdercoat is included in the price, but decals and graphics are not. I can put you in touch with expert decal folks, or you can have any number of online services make you some vinyl decals if you'd like.
-Shipping. If you choose to have the frame powdercoated here, you'll need to pay to have it shipped to you when it's done (or come pick it up).

Ok, I want to do it! How do I get on the schedule?

-I'm not going to do set dates - instead I will schedule students on a case by case basis. If you're interested in what times might work, please email or call me to discuss.
-A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to schedule your class. If we've agreed on dates and you need to make a change or delay your visit, that's fine, but I won't be able to guarantee when I can fit you in again.
-I reserve the right to end a lesson early (with no refund) if you are endangering yourself or others with the equipment (the usual shop rules apply - safety glasses, tie back long hair, no loose clothing, etc). This also means that once a beer gets opened - no more metal work for the day. Many of the machines in my shop can maim or kill you, and I will insist that you follow my instructions regarding using them safely.
-If a friend wants to stop by to see what you are doing, that's great, but you can't get a two-fer by just having someone bum around while we're working - I'll charge extra for extra students on a case-by-case basis. The shop is really not big enough for crowds of people so I'll generally insist on one-on-one instruction.

Ready to commit? Hit the button to put down your $500 deposit, or call/email me for other payment options (you can change your mind about which option you want at any time, so if you're not sure, don't worry about figuring it out immediately). 

Choose your adventure:

Option 1: Fly on the Wall Option 2: You Build It

Sarah's new frame - with extra-slim seat tube

No collar

W/collar

Total weight savings: just under 10 grams. Which is actually more than I would expect, but that's what you get if you calculate it out. Worth the trouble? Well, it's not much trouble, so if you want me to do this for you, just ask.

Terrible, terrible graphics on that seat collar, though. I might have to polish it up.

For those who are confused, more on sleeving seat tubes here and here. This is the method I use on all frames with 28.6mm seat tubes, just FYI.

Chris pt. 1

I think this is the biggest CX frame I have ever built. Probably. Chris is "only" 6'3" or so but he's got an 85cm saddle height - wow. It's once in a blue moon that I do a bike for someone with legs as long as mine (my saddle is at 81.5cm) but he's me, scaled up. Crazy!

Might want to deburr these...

Um, yeah. Big.

1/4 welded.