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Road To NAHBS 2013 – Inglis/Retrotec Cycles

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Curtis Inglis started in the hand made bicycle world when he got a job in 1993 working for Robert Seals, the founder of Retrotec and the inventor of the original Cool Tool multi-tool. Three years later, after moving to San Francisco with Jeremy and Jay Sycip, Curtis launched Inglis cycles but continued to build Retrotecs on demand. These days, Curtis continues to build both lines of frames out of his Napa, CA home base with Retrotec continuing to offer modern takes on retro classic styling, and Inglis covering traditional straight tube frames.

Check out Curtis’ take on our pre-NAHBS interview next.

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

Curtis Inglis: I only build using steel. Most of my bikes are custom cruiser inspired frames and steel is really versatile.

 

Bikerumor: What have you been working in since NAHBS last year?

Curtis Inglis: At last year’s show I introduced a few new things for Retrotec. PF30, 44mm head tubes and 142 through axles. Theses were not totally new to the industry, but new for me. I have been incorporating these new standards into frames when customers want them. Other than that, I have been trying to keep my wait times in check and still get out and ride as much as I can.

Bikerumor: Any killer custom bike builds?

Curtis Inglis: I built a bike for a customer that was swinging through Napa on his honeymoon. He and his wife both ordered custom bikes on their honeymoon, one from me and the other from Sycip. The bike was a pretty standard build with a nicer paint job. It felt nice to be a part of their vacation in some way.

 

Bikerumor: Did you see anything at NAHBS last year that’s inspired you?

Curtis Inglis: Last year’s NAHBS was really busy. I had no time to get out and check other bikes out. My booth was across from Ira Ryan and I really enjoyed looking at his delivery bike and trailer.

Bikerumor: What are you bringing to the show this year that’ll have every other builder standing slack jawed in awe?

Curtis Inglis: I doubt I will have any other builders standing slack jawed. I try to always bring bikes I would like to build more of, standard bikes that customers order throughout the year. I am bringing three customer bikes this year, all pretty standard builds. The 29+ probably will stand out the most just because it is a new standard that not many people have gotten to see first hand. In the end, it is a pretty standard mountain bike built around a set of big rims and tires.

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?

 Curtis Inglis: It would be fun to build against one of the guys that only build very traditional lugged bikes. I think it would be a nice contrast to see a very traditional lugged frame and a Retrotec side by side. With that said, not so sure I would want to compete against another builder. I think it would be more fun to just show them side by side.

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stratosrally
stratosrally
11 years ago

My 2 ultimate builders are Retrotec and Yipsan (Renold Yip)… I could go the rest of my life one from each of them!

Ryan
Ryan
11 years ago

Love the Retrotec frames, very similar to my poor man’s version…Kona A’ha.

Troy Junge
Troy Junge
11 years ago

That downtube looks SO straight against those magnificently curved top tube/seat stays!
Fabulous looking paint too.

iNo
iNo
11 years ago

what? no dig? fine, i’ll bite. there are a pair of sun glasses missing from the rack in pic one. did Curtis pocket them?

Rock on Curtis!

KJR
KJR
11 years ago

I saw one of those come through my LBS a few years ago. The guy was racing the BC Bike Race on it. Ovalized his headtube on day one.

80
80
11 years ago

that’s a mighty nice lookin’ bike shop there…

Olafur
Olafur
11 years ago

@KJR. Interesting. I’m the guy with the Retrotec you’re describing. I rode that bike the rest of the race without a problem, and I’m still riding that bike three years later without a problem. I’ve taken it to Curtis and two of my “LBS’s” and they could find nothing wrong. I’d say the only thing for certain was that the mechanics’ tent at the BC Bike Race charged insane prices to do their work for a captive audience.

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