Sunday, July 25, 2010

I was warned that paint might be the time suck

Totally brought home yesterday. I believe I mentioned on June 15 that the bike was off to paint. It is now July 25. The bike is STILL at paint. First they were backed up. Now they are finally painting - the rack is done. It appears that they cannot pinstripe over aluminum, so the hammered metal fenders will remain completely unpainted. Oooh, shiny. Pinstripes in the grooved channels would have been nice, though.

The kicker is, they just discovered they are out of the color specified for my bike. Now, exactly HOW LONG did they know they needed that color? It will take time to order and receive the paint. And then paint. And ship.

I have suggested expediting all around. I was WANTING to ride the 400k on Aug 7, and it may not be possible now.

I might also suggest a short course in inventory control.

10 comments:

bikelovejones said...

When I ordered The Rivvy in 1998 I was first told that it would be about a five- to six-month wait. Then six became eight months and eventually ten. My frame arrived exactly twelve months after I'd paid for it. So yes, I get it.

I understand that Natalie is now backed up by more than two years.

This is why, I believe, Rivendell ultimately all but abandoned the true custom approach to frames. it's far easier to design a frame that comes in several sizes and a geometry that can handle lots of variations in stem and bars to refine the fit. (Of course, Rivendell doesn't specialize in frames for petite women, either.)

We expect a full photo spread when the bike is ready. I am happy to suggest a professional photog if you want to go All Out.

lynnef said...

so far I'm at 21 months. Deposit put down in Oct 2008. The frame has been COMPLETE for about 6 weeks now. Paint has been, um, inefficient. The build date is set, the wheels are probably in construction as we speak, but...

Of course there will be pictures. The ivy-covered fence in my backyard has been readying itself in anticipation.

And then we'll move on to the group shots, because Sweetpea has friends anxiously awaiting its arrival!

bikelovejones said...

Can my Rivvy "beater" get in on the photo shoot? I'll, um, WASH her and stuff. Maybe even clean the gunk off the sidewalls, you never know.

You missed a lovely Tuv Garden ride and a couple of especially outstanding gardens today. Pix will follow at Tuv's Flickr page. Coffee soon?

Gino Zahnd said...

I ordered a mountain frame from a well known NorCal builder, and he said 12 weeks. That was February. Here we are almost in August, and he called today to tell me it's done.

I imagine Nat runs a tight ship, but my experience with custom frames and paint is that it'll get done when it gets done. Most framebuilders are artists/artisans, not business folks.

Keep that in mind, and you'll steer clear of frustration.

(I can keep that in mind.)

Anonymous said...

Geez. When I had my Serotta painted Leann apologized for taking a whole week. It seems she was busy painting prototypes for the Bike Show.

My Serotta is on their web site. It is the bright green one.

http://gallery.classactpp.com/displayimage.php?album=21&pos=0

Einar T.

orc said...

After six weeks, I'd be sorely tempted to just put a few coats of shellac over the thing, ride it on the 400, and then dismantle it and give it back to the painters after that.

(Though I suppose the whole business of prying it out of your hands for painting would be a problem; I've been meaning to have my bobtail painted, but that would mean I couldn't ride it for several weeks, and that would be bad. Thus it's still running around covered with big old logos and the like.)

Richard said...

21 months!?! You need to get some money back!

lynnef said...

I do wish to clarify that this is NOT of best framebuilder in the world's doing.

Lesli Larson said...

We seem to be neck and neck with frame delivery. Apparently, mine is back from the painter and awaiting final parts assembly. I have NO cycling agenda at moment. Wishing I could transfer my frame's forward progress over to you (while I fund raise for one more month).

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