Curtis Inglis - Friend in the Industry
Basic Stuff:
Q) Tell me about your life in cycling. How’d it start, where’d it take you and what does it mean to you?
A) It started on a Schwinn Stingray. All these years later I am still riding on bikes that were influenced by that original bicycle.
Q) What led you to build your first frame? When was it, what type of frame?
A) I saw Bob Seals showing off this strange cruiser at one of the local races in 1993. Bob had started Retrotec to promote Cool Tool and I really wanted one. I was in college and could not afford it, so I begged for a job. Turns out what I thought would be a fun summer job before finding a grown-up job has lasted 30 years, so far.
Q) When and why did you decide to go into business as a custom framebuilder?
A) I think the last answer answers this one for the most part. I enjoy working with my hands. Building and riding bikes has not lost its hold on me, so I continue to do it.
Q) Describe your approach or philosophy of framebuilding in 7 words or less.
A) Aesthetically pleasing bikes made to last.
Q) Who are some of your primary influences?
A) Cruiser companies that formed around 75 years ago. Most of the styles I build are a modern take on something I have seen locked to a bike rack in
a college town.
Finish these:
1. The favorite bike I’ve build is…
the one that the customer really needs.
2. If I could only ride one bike the rest of my life it would be…
I am glad this is a hypothetical question and I really do not enjoy having to think about it. If I had one last ride it would be on a mountain bike but with that said I also enjoy road and gravel.
3. Custom bikes are about…
everything. For some it is fit requirements and geometry, to other it is shapes and color. In the end I am trying to build each person a bike that makes them want to get up and ride more often.
4. Riding bikes is about…
giggling
5. The best bike rides start with…
air in the tires
6. The best bike rides end with…
air in the itires
7. I’ll keep doing this as long as…
riding bikes until I can’t keep upright on a regular basis. Making bikes as long as I need to make money.
8. Three of my core values are…
Honesty, hard work, and humor. I don’t always live up to my own set of values, but I try..
