Norther Lyon Clarification and Winter Sales

[starmichael bowman]

Hey all, StarMichael from Norther Cycles here. Clarification on our last post introducing the Norther Lyon frame sets, and information on specials and deals.

Hate to spam you all, but a customer of ours has requested that we do. As you may or may not know we’re doing a collaboration frameset with Jeff Lyon. Jeff’s been making 650b bikes for over 40 years! Please check them out on our website, https://northercycles.squarespace.com/jeff-lyon-colaboration/, It’s got all the info anyone could want plus some.

We originally set the bikes up with a sort of “too work out the final details” as we go, but introduced them as soon as we had a prototype. I’m all about being as transparent and honest and upfront as humanly possible and hate anything shady from companies. We’ve made a few changes to the plans as we went forward from that original prototype based on customer feed back and frame building parts availability, and clarifications from Jeff. And I’ve always had a note on the description page that some things may change as we figure the bikes out or Jeff clarifies his process and selections to me.

One such change was Jeff massaging the chain stays to fit 48mm tires. Originally the bikes could only fit 42mm tires, but the number one bit of feedback we got was that people wanted to run 48mm. This also lengthened the stays by 5mm. No one seemed to care about that, and happy with the fatter tires. We also changed the seat binder bolt type. Again, no comments.

Another change at least one customer wasn’t so happy with/didn’t understand—and pointed out—is that in our original post here, and original website description we said that all the frame tubes were to be highest quality 7/4/7 butted tubes. So I wanted to make it clear here for you all as some of you may be ordering Norther Lyon frame sets in the future. Originally, I thought that Jeff was going to use all 7/4/7 tubes. He corrected me that this was not the case. He uses 8/5/8 down tubes (usually Reynolds 853) in most of his bikes and all the Norther Lyons. This tube is less than one once heavier than the Kaisei 7/4/7 wall down tube, but gives the bike just a little extra strength where it needs it most. We couldn’t agree more with this decision.

This correction came pretty early on and I though nothing of correcting it on the website, and forgetting about it. I agree with this change and wouldn’t recommend anyone get a bike without a variety of different diameter and thickness of tubes. It seems pretty universally agreed upon by builders that this gives you the best flex and handling characteristics. So I though we should make it clear that the Norther Lyon 650b frame sets are still ultra light and mostly made from the highest quality 7/4/7 butted tubes from Kaisei, True Temper, Reynolds, and Tange, except the down tube, which is made from only extremely high quality, 8/5/8.

We’d also like to note that the first few batches of the Norther Lyon bikes are on the road and we’re getting great reviews/customer feed back. We are still taking orders for the 2019 batches. The first batch will be size 54cm, but we haven’t scheduled the next size yet. Jeff is also planning on adding some smaller sizes this year as well. Probably 50 and 48cm maybe smaller depending on requests.

We also have two we’ve fully built up in the shop for sale, test rides, or reviews. The first is a 52cm, the second is a 56cm. They are both available now for a bit of a deal.

We also have a few other complete builds for sale on the website at a small discount.

And we’re running some winter specials too. Half off all frame mods, adding/changing braze ons, pre and post paint or powder prep, builds, tune ups, fender and dynamo light/wiring installs, whatever. And 20% off custom frames with free hand carved lug upgrade.

I’d also like to make a first offer here to the 650b list of 50% off any custom 650b frame if ordered between now and Feb 3. This will include any build labor after the fact from just having us press in the headset all the way up through complete build of all parts and accessories. It’s a one-time special offer, the only stipulation is that we will need the frame set to be paid for in total upfront at the time of the order. We will start the frame early to mid February and have it finished and ready for paint 4-8 weeks from that time, so you can absolutely have it built and ready by this spring/summer!

Please email me with any questions or to place any orders.

Thanks,

StarMichael Bowman

starm...@northercycles.com

Norther Cycles

5515 N Albina Ave

Portland OR 97217

[Kieran J]

50% off? Can't argue with that!

KJ

[Sukho Goff]

50% off? That's mighty generous Starmichael! Appreciate you offering that up; quick turnaround too. Gotta week to convince the sweet wifey!

Sukho in PDX

On Friday, January 25, 2019 at 1:00:04 PM UTC-8, starmichael bowman wrote:

[jamin orrall]

This is an amazing deal. I have some thinking to do!

[Jonathan Donehower]

That is a great deal if I was looking for a custom.

[aztris]

woo hoo, got my deposit in for a custom norther rando!

[Daniel MacPherson]

Congrats on the new frame! I was mulling it over but hesitated too long. Post pics when you get it.

[aztris]

Thanks! I put a deposit on my dream MAP build back in September. Then the fires hit. I really hope Mitch gets back into it and sets up another shop. I'll be first in the queue.

So with a frame void and money burning a hole in my pocket, this was perfect. Super excited.

[Steve Palincsar]

I've seen something to the effect that he's back in PDX and back in business.  If you're serious, give him a call or an email.

Steve Palincsar
Alexandria, Virginia 
USA

[aztris]

We exchanged emails earlier this month about my build. He stated that he was not in a position to build bikes, did not know when that may change and hadn't yet even determined if a fresh start was possible.

I let him know that whenever he gets back into, let me know and I'll be the first to put down another deposit.