Mike DeSalvo creates some very clean looking bikes. He is based out of Ashland, Oregon specializing in steel and titanium frames. Mike had a very nice looking titanium 650B mountain bike on display at the 2013 North American Handmade Bicycle Show.
The bike featured the full SRAM XX1 drivetrain and some other nice components from ENVE and White Brothers.
The bike is belt drive compatible thanks to the coupler in the seat stay.
The sliding dropouts turned out very nice on this bike.
Mike DeSalvo Interview
Do you make more steel or titanium bikes?
“I do both titanium and steel. I do a lot more titanium lately. Customer demand for it is high.”
Were you going for anything special with your 650B mountain bike design?
“This bike has a curved top tube. Not special to my building style, but nice looking. I try to balance adding performance vs cool factor to keep cost in check with my frames.”
Do you do powdercoat or paint?
“Steel bikes are powdercoated. I use Spectrum Powderworks.”
What would you do if not building bikes?
“I don’t know.”
How did you start?
“I took a frame building class at the United Bicycle Institute in 1990. I then Worked there for a few years and continue to teach.”
What is your favorite trail?
“Since I’m in Colorado I’d say Monarch Cross Trail”
What was your first sweet childhood bike?
“First real bike was a road bike Centurion Lemonds. First “mountainish” bike was a converted 24” cruiser.”
SRAM or Shimano?
“Little bit of each.”
Burrito or taco?
“Little bit of each.”
