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Road To NAHBS 2013 – Engin Cycles

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All studio images c. Charles Uniatowski

After starting Wissahickon Cyclery in 1995 and creating a bike shop beloved by the community with the help of his staff, owner Drew Guldalian turned his sights to the bike building business 11 years later. Today, Engin Cycles operates hand in hand with Wissahickon turning out beautiful and show winning bikes primarily from steel. However, new for 2013, Drew will be offering an option for titanium as a build material and is currently working out the details. We asked Drew about his Ti bikes and plans for the future after the break.


BIKERUMOR: What materials do you build with? Which is your favorite and why?

Engin Cycles: I build in steel and titanium.  The titanium is a new offering but more on that later.  My favorite would be the titanium because I can finish it from beginning to end in the shop.  I think Todd is an incredible painter but it is always a drag when you finish a bike and then send it off to really get finished.

BIKERUMOR: What have you been working on since NAHBS last year?
Engin Cycles: I skipped last year to renovate a house which proved to be an even bigger project than I expected.  So, since Austin I have spent the last two years developing my titanium bicycles which are essentially getting revealed in Denver.  We also just finished expanding my shop by about 800 sq. ft. which has really opened it up and allowed for an even better work flow.

BIKERUMOR:  Any killer custom bike builds?
Engin Cycles: I am bringing a rather cool tandem to the show which is made for the owner of Paragon Machine Works.
BIKERUMOR: Did you see anything at NAHBS last year that’s inspired you?
Engin Cycles: I missed the show unfortunately.

BIKERUMOR: What are you bringing to the show this year that’ll have every other builder standing slack jawed in awe?
Engin Cycles: I don’t really expect people to drop their jaw since my work is rather simple and clean.  I am more obsessive about the process and how I can continually make my bikes better.  With that said I have a new drop out for my disc brake bikes that I feel is really slick.

BIKERUMOR: Scenario: A customer commissions you and one other builder to create the ultimate bicycle using the same parameters, same base material and same budget in an Iron Chef style competition. Who would you want to build against that would push you and elevate your game?
Engin Cycles: For a person that builds with a similar take on the process I would pick Brent Steelman.  He is pure class IMO.

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Nic Handy
11 years ago

Drew does some amazing work. He built a fork for my NAHBS bike. When i got it all my dimensions were correct, beautiful welds and brazing, and just an overall great product. Check it out at the show or follow the build on FB. http://www.facebook.com/Farrhoots

bongwater
bongwater
11 years ago

I heard drew doesnt even build the ti bikes hes bringing to nabs.

Dan
Dan
11 years ago

Where did you hear he doesnt build his Ti bikes? I’d like to squash this rumor.

Johnny Elk
Johnny Elk
11 years ago

Drew is obsessive about his details. He build me a flawless Single Speed 29er three years ago. His fit and finish are perfect, the ride is equally impeccable. He builds amazing steel and stainless bikes, and his Ti frames are most certainly done in house. There are some truly under appreciated frame builders out there, and while he may not be the most widely recognized, he will pour every ounce of his skill into each project he takes on. The man is amazing to visit and speak with. You could eat off his workshop floor.

bongwater
bongwater
11 years ago

im pretty sure there made by linskey. i read that … dont remember where.

bongwater
bongwater
11 years ago

Okay. Sorry guys. After seeing how sh*tty everyone was about Gaulzetti I wanted to lob a couple grenades out there. Drew’s bikes are amazing!

I’d hate to see a hard working and extremely skilled craftsman negatively impacted by my not funny joke.

The point is: Drew and his work deserves all the credit and praise he gets and anonymous commenting on the internet is terrible.

Ajax
Ajax
11 years ago

Too expensive!

bin judgin
bin judgin
11 years ago

beautiful bikes.

iNo
iNo
11 years ago

stunning work!

Steve
Steve
10 years ago

Thom, there’s sandwiches in the break room.

-Steve

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