Road to NAHBS2016– DeSalvo Custom Cycles –

Mike DeSalvo. A master of TIG welding who commands respect from all, he spends his time teaching TIG classes at UBI (the same Oregon frame building school Mako-san attended), training the next generation of builders. Meanwhile, he constantly maintains a backlog of 20 orders and produces nearly 100 custom frames a year. He is a man of proven skill and unwavering reliability, even occasionally taking on OEM production work.

It seems there are some big changes in store this year. Personally, I loved the simple script logo, but it reminds me that having the courage not to fear change is also important.

New head badges just in time for NAHBS.#nahbs2016

Photo posted by Mike DeSalvo (@mike.desalvo) – Feb 18, 2016 at 2:43 PM PST

Pretty excited about this first bike with the new graphics. Come see me at NAHBS to see more of this one.#nahbs2016

Photo posted by Mike DeSalvo (@mike.desalvo) – Feb 21, 2016 at 8:27 PM PST

That said, these changes are only in the aesthetics of the paint; it remains the same, extremely simple bike that DeSalvo builds. The frames, with their beautiful weld beads, run surprisingly well once fully built up as a bike.

The frame he sent us before getting busy with show preparations was completed as a quintessential DeSalvo bike—simple, yet one in which you can firmly sense his unique touch.

While 44mm head tubes have become common, this titanium frame using an oversized head tube purely reminds us of the joy of riding a road bike to head out on a long adventure.

If we were to compare bicycle rims to "classic" records, many would likely agree that the Mavic Open Pro is a classic. A wheel built solidly and durably with 32 spokes offers just the right amount of lightness, making you feel as though you could pedal anywhere.

Not bound by a single set of values, and deeply understanding the thoughts of those who use their bicycles as tools, whether they are "fast or slow," everything is carefully built by adding up fitting, tire size, the rider's envisioned riding style, and even color and design. This process exists on a dimension far removed from commercial motives or what we call trends. The human connections born through such bicycles can sometimes transcend the very concept of performance.

And I strongly believe that this fact is the most important point of encountering a custom bike over many long years.

We have already found it.