JV Designs

I have been putting the Enve Melee through its paces. Fast & responsive. Enjoying the clearance with 33c gravel race tires. With some warmer weather, I will be excited to get it out on some longer rides. More to come…

Why custom? For fit & preference. I had the opportunity to ride one of Tom Pidcock’s race bikes that on paper ‘fits’ me. Although it fits me, it is setup to someone else’s preferences.

I will always prioritize getting a bike fit every 3 years (or more regularly) but the fit numbers need to be balanced with changing preferences. Off the shelf bikes are designed with an ‘ideal’ (non-existent) rider in mind. That ideal is removed from the reality of personal riding style & preferences. Only the custom process lets you merge fit data with riding preference to design a bike for you & your goals.

Another from a recent MOG. This thing is a ripper.

It’s been busy after coming back from the MADE show in Portland last month. Here’s a preview of a fun build I just wrapped up.

Pro tip: know what your favorite mechanic likes to drink so when you run into trouble they will bail you out.

MADE Celebrating the art of framebuilding.

Come see some of the best framebuilders & handmade producers in the world. Today was day one & I am already overwhelmed with everything I saw. The world of custom bikes is creative, lively & pushing the boundaries of bike design. Plus, some great nods to the past.

Before custom bikes I worked in live sound, specifically as sound engineer. While at first glance they might not seem to have much in common but the values of attention to details, reliability, dependability & top-tier quality are at the core of both.

The ability to translate an idea, whether a bike or a guitar tone, into a tangible day-to-day physical thing are the challenge & the reward. Knowing the pieces & how the work requires expertise. Tailoring those pieces to suit your needs & goals requires communication. What is your next bike going to be?

Emotion is an understated element of performance. Do you enjoy your bike? Does it feel fast? Does it inspire you to get out & ride?

A key piece to my academic career was an emphasis on experience. The feel, connection, emotional response & motivation all fuel top performance just as much as optimization, watts-saving & lightweight components. Dream bikes are just that, the sum total of all your dreams!

The clean lines of golden era steel frames are now classic but upgrading those era frames can be tricky. Compatibility is one aspect; tube selection & condition is another; plus care & maintenance are all important factors in rejuvenating a classic frame. When done right, they can be true show stoppers!

Aesthetics, performance & style fit any budget. A custom bike does not mean an ultra-expensive bike. Today handmade bikes fit a wider range of price-points than previously. Do not let a mistaken idea about dream bikes stop you from starting the process. The custom experience is an inclusive experience, as it always starts with you.

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Frame material is not just about weight. Stiffness, compliance & ride character are all important elements when deciding what frame material is best for your riding preferences.

Whether carbon, steel or titanium, each material offers a different experience & is suited to different riding styles. Only with a custom bike can you tailor the material & geometry to specific preferences. Do not settle with an off-the-shelf bike ill-equipped for the way you ride. Not sure what is best for your riding style. Reach out & let’s find the perfect bike. Custom bikes are a custom experience.

From idea to reality, custom bikes are a process. You do not need to know all the details before you start. Dreams are rarely fully fleshed out products but more often feelings & ideas. That’s where we come in to walk you through the process & make those inspiring feelings & ideas into a reality.

Concierge service is what JV Designs is all about. Taking your connection with bikes, people & places to create a specific bike for you to experience the world around you.

The Enve Grodeo route is beautiful & challenging in equal measure. It is a true testament to modern custom framebuilding & with some of the best builders showing bikes at the Framebuilders Roundup, you get to see their masterpieces in action.

This was the second time I rode the Grodeo route on my GRAR. The stability & responsiveness, as well as the comfort, across the courses varied terrain was again impressive. The custom framebuilders are making the best bikes in the industry. There is nothing like a bike designed for you but also able to take on the most challenging of routes. Enve, it was a blast! Love what the Grodeo represents & the ability to ride with the best framebuilders in the industry.