tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post769741086506918677..comments2024-03-18T08:41:35.438-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Visiting Neighbours at WorkVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21057942377583004182012-04-02T12:42:46.599-04:002012-04-02T12:42:46.599-04:00Surprised to read your comment. The people I know ...Surprised to read your comment. The people I know who work there (or have worked there in the past) have good things to say about both the working conditions and the employee purchase program. Don't know about paid vacations, but hey I don't get those in my line of work either.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63759429902460726872012-04-02T12:36:30.680-04:002012-04-02T12:36:30.680-04:00Articles like this make me laugh. I worked at Seve...Articles like this make me laugh. I worked at Seven for a couple of years. The quality-of-life of Seven employees is terrible. Ask an employee what Seven does in terms of continuing education or a retirement plan. Ask them if they receive paid-vacations. Ask a production worker if any precautions are taken to minimize the dust created from cutting and milling carbon fiber. Every article I read about Seven is so misleading. I'm glad I never bought a frame while I was there; couldn't afford it anyway, as their employee purchase program is almost nonexistent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-60559867117544883302012-03-20T16:12:50.842-04:002012-03-20T16:12:50.842-04:00I know they give factory tours all the time, but I...I know they give factory tours all the time, but I am not sure what their policies are. Best to <a href="http://www.sevencycles.com/contact.php" rel="nofollow">contact them</a> and ask.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-52162885203399133982012-03-20T16:09:13.170-04:002012-03-20T16:09:13.170-04:00I am hoping to pull the trigger on an Axiom SLX th...I am hoping to pull the trigger on an Axiom SLX this summer and would love to visit the factory (I am 30 miles down the road). Do you know if this is allowed, or are you one of the privileged few?Timnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-78919182258864393782012-03-18T06:28:18.485-04:002012-03-18T06:28:18.485-04:00Yeah, check out the Seven website, also the 2012 b...Yeah, check out the Seven website, also the 2012 brochure.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-1282179537761739602012-03-18T05:52:41.582-04:002012-03-18T05:52:41.582-04:00+1 on loving those lug cut outs!+1 on loving those lug cut outs!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-62925958894327339532012-03-18T02:56:13.848-04:002012-03-18T02:56:13.848-04:00This is a fascinating post, and your photography r...This is a fascinating post, and your photography really brings out the relationship between the mechanical and the human. I think that's such a strong attraction for us to bicycles in the first place.Rebecitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10651120376909909183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-38710663626967338262012-03-17T19:40:59.894-04:002012-03-17T19:40:59.894-04:00Not that I've seen. But I'll be sure to ta...Not that I've seen. But I'll be sure to take photos if any arrive as RSC floor models.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-18196532753852984942012-03-17T19:29:16.277-04:002012-03-17T19:29:16.277-04:00Love Seven's new lugs, very clean and art deco...Love Seven's new lugs, very clean and art deco. Are there pictures of the finished frames?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-39571860547363569982012-03-16T20:16:56.305-04:002012-03-16T20:16:56.305-04:00There were no finished bikes to pose with on the p...There were no finished bikes to pose with on the premises! But how's <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovely_bicycle/6919509699/in/set-72157629425834165" rel="nofollow">this</a> for green?Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-53430200577744497992012-03-16T19:56:30.917-04:002012-03-16T19:56:30.917-04:00I have read about the sad demise of Raleigh's ...I have read about the sad demise of Raleigh's Nottingham factory during the 70s. My wife and I own four bikes that were manufactured in that giant factory, which closed in part because labor was much cheaper elsewhere in the world. It's inspiring to see small manufacturers like Seven and Ant carving out a niche in the market.MT cyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17451590809473759574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43089496690799539092012-03-16T19:15:06.952-04:002012-03-16T19:15:06.952-04:00Ok now you have gone and done it again! I'm gr...Ok now you have gone and done it again! I'm green with envy, and St. Patricks day is TOMORROW. At least you could have sat on a Kelly green one for the camera. <br /> All teasing aside, there is always a certain beauty and value in a thing well made.steelschwinnsternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-44937167256280257742012-03-16T18:33:05.125-04:002012-03-16T18:33:05.125-04:00"I think it's dumb to fall into the trap ...<i>"I think it's dumb to fall into the trap of believing that "Only the very finest of everything is good enough for ME", but a few very fine examples of the particular things that we are able to appreciate and really use can make life nicer. The rest of the inventory can be cheap or indifferent but the important stuff ought to make us glad to have it."</i><br /><br />At some point I experienced that revelation. There are some things that, let's just say most people I know consider necessities, but I could not care less about. I spend as little money on them as possible, or don't own them at all. And there are other things that I do not mind blowing my entire savings on if that's what it takes. It's all about personal meaning. All too often, we let society dictate what's necessary to spend money on and what's frivolous, but it does not need to be that way.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-11129015149617676242012-03-16T18:04:54.762-04:002012-03-16T18:04:54.762-04:00"even the heaps of tubing and the scraps of m..."even the heaps of tubing and the scraps of metal lying around excite me"<br /><br />If only I could get my wife to think like that!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-51000234366839819622012-03-16T17:58:46.582-04:002012-03-16T17:58:46.582-04:00I love building stuff and places like SEVEN are so...I love building stuff and places like SEVEN are so incredibly inspiring. The learning curve sometimes seems so steep with some things that it takes a visit to where this stuff happens everyday to give a guy like me the confidence to keep climbing.<br /><br />I also agree that it matters a lot where and by whom some of the things that are important to me are made. I don't really care where my washing machine came from or who sewed my clothes as long as they aren't being screwed over in some sweat shop, but Bikes, Tools, and things I'm going to keep and use a lot for the rest of my life? I care.<br /><br /> I still have a French Horn even though I haven't played in a serious way since college and selling it would buy a better bike than I've ever owned. It gives me so much satisfaction to get it out and "play". I wouldn't sound any worse on a Conn or a Yamaha but I really appreciate the fine craftsmanship and the connection(tenuous but real for me) to the very best players over the last century who chose to play instruments from the same shop. I even know the names of some of the craftsmen who would have been making these horns 50 years ago when this one was put together.<br /><br /> We ennoble ourselves and honor others when we recognize the work and care put into things that were built to be as fine and good as could be made. It certainly isn't the most important thing in the world to be aware of but it makes a difference. I think it's dumb to fall into the trap of believing that "Only the very finest of everything is good enough for ME", but a few very fine examples of the particular things that we are able to appreciate and really use can make life nicer. The rest of the inventory can be cheap or indifferent but the important stuff ought to make us glad to have it.<br /><br />And we should be willing to pay enough so that the Women and Men who make it can buy wine for their children. <br /><br />End of Sermon.<br /><br />The Rev. SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-76820941712167064512012-03-16T17:12:00.076-04:002012-03-16T17:12:00.076-04:00Let me just clear my throat... um... YIP, YIP, YAH...Let me just clear my throat... um... YIP, YIP, YAHOOOO!<br />If there is anything that is going to save this country from ruin, it is local manufacturing. Hats off to this Seven guy and what he is doing.<br />I know I'm a throwback, a dreamer, but I build guitars in my shop out back. I shipped one to Belgium, and I'm shipping them all over this country, and someone drove over from Houston and picked one up. You young people reading this blog, make something! Use your business degree to start a business that makes something, anything. I'm not anti-Chinese, I'm pro local manufacturing.Davehttp://davidnewtonguitars.squarespace.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-16201980438875676272012-03-16T17:01:04.587-04:002012-03-16T17:01:04.587-04:00The part on some customers preferring not to see w...The part on some customers preferring not to see what goes on because it makes them think of human error is interesting. I make homebrew and have a couple friends who are always a bit unsure about it even though they know I've personally had some of each batch.francisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-53640958783333586652012-03-16T17:01:03.350-04:002012-03-16T17:01:03.350-04:00Thank God I edited that part out. But also, they ...Thank God I edited that part out. But also, they wear gloves, so I couldn't tell if the quivering hand was veined or not...Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-61706799308419223812012-03-16T16:57:37.939-04:002012-03-16T16:57:37.939-04:00what i like about this post is its subjectivity. t...what i like about this post is its subjectivity. there are other articles about seven cycles that offer information about the company, but only you are in a position to write something like this. <br /><br />i also appreciate that you do not go overboard and wax lyrical about the quivering veined hand of the loyal employee as he grips the blowtorch... <br /><br />a good read.jamesonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-50485498199786966222012-03-16T16:56:10.461-04:002012-03-16T16:56:10.461-04:00I'd much rather see someone making the bike I&...I'd much rather see someone making the bike I'm about to ride than the sausage I'm about to eat ;>) The closest framebuilder to me is Bilenky (I think) and he's not that close, certainly not walking distance. I'd love to see how he makes a frame but I know I can't afford one of his frames so I'd rather not bother him. I envy you.mattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-67725850868366167252012-03-16T16:39:40.263-04:002012-03-16T16:39:40.263-04:00I know a lot of customers prefer to keep the frame...I know a lot of customers prefer to keep the frames raw, but they will certainly paint it if you want, and contrasting lugs should not be a problem. They do the paint <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovely_bicycle/6919509789/in/set-72157629425834165" rel="nofollow">inhouse</a>; it was cool to watch that as well.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-52438573917182579772012-03-16T16:35:46.555-04:002012-03-16T16:35:46.555-04:00sorry! white lugwork :))sorry! white lugwork :))Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-76186063912304982672012-03-16T16:33:41.305-04:002012-03-16T16:33:41.305-04:00"...he discourages customers from watching hi..."...he discourages customers from watching him work, because it makes them more aware of the possibility of human error...Psychologically, that makes sense."<br /><br />It didn't bother me! I bought a custom bike from Dave Anderson (St. Paul, MN). He sent me scads of photos, from the pile of raw 953 pipes to the finished frame.<br /><br />At one point, a photo showed the assembled frame, with the caption "Can you believe I'm about to cut this in two?" Sure enough, the next photo showed him cutting through the top tube in preparation to installing S&S couplers.<br /><br />It's a matter of trust.<br /><br />Ed in NHAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40458772405600439362012-03-16T16:33:14.990-04:002012-03-16T16:33:14.990-04:00Gosh, those lugs are beautiful!!! Do they paint th...Gosh, those lugs are beautiful!!! Do they paint the tubes? I am picturing a pale blue frame with contrasting while lugwork...Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20667716289346091882012-03-16T16:20:32.468-04:002012-03-16T16:20:32.468-04:00Oops, forgot Armando of Quiros Cycles!Oops, forgot Armando of Quiros Cycles!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.com