photos by: Jake Moore

Kent Eriksen had a plethora of titanium goodness on display at the 2013 North American Handmade Bicycle Show. The creation that was getting quite a bit of attention was his latest titanium full suspension frame. The frame was mostly designed by top designer, welder, and SolidWorks guru Brad Bingham.

Bingham has had a very successful career working at Moots previously before Kent snatched him back up to work for his company. Actually, this is the second time Brad has worked for Kent. Kent Eriksen started Moots many years ago and hired Brad when he was young to be a designer and builder for Moots. Kent has always been impressed with Brad’s talent and was eager to have him onboard the staff at Kent Eriksen Cycles.

Brad designed over 30 jigs to create this latest full suspension frame.

The frame itself is able to be scaled to fit any mountain bike tire size including 26″, 27.5″/650B, and 29″.

The frame features 90mm of travel in the rear and is designed for a 120mm fork up front.

The main pivot located at the bottom bracket area has a 20mm axle that rides on double row sealed cartridge bearings.

The main pivot yoke itself is made out of 6/4 plate titanium. They use a waterjet to cut all of the 10 pieces used to make the yoke.

The upper shock linkage is made out of aluminum and the frame mount is also made out of 6/4 plate titanium.

Each frame will be mostly custom but the seat angle is fixed at 73.5 degrees.

At this time the frame is still in testing and a production date has not been set.

The cost for the frame and shock will be north of $5000.

University of Wyoming Themed 650B Titanium Hardtail

This bike featured a bent top tube and tapered steerer. It had a completely custom design themed for the University of Wyoming. The University of Wyoming theme comes from the customer’s wife. This is actually a gift bike that she doesn’t know about yet and she is an alumni of UW. That’s also why it says “Darlin” on the top tube.

650B Lefty Titanium Hardtail

This 650B hardtail was pretty simple but very clean looking.

Kent Eriksen actually makes his own custom headset specifically for his bikes with Lefty forks.

Kent Eriksen Interview

How long have you been making bikes?

“I started Moots back in 1981 and was there for 25 years before leaving to pursue building bikes under my own name. At Kent Eriksen Cycles we make about 200 bikes a year.”

Where are you building bikes now?

“Still building bikes in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.”

If you weren’t building bikes what would you be doing?

“Riding bikes more often.”

How long have you been riding mountain bikes?

“I’ve been riding for a long time. I raced in the 2nd NORBA Nationals (1984) and placed 4th. I raced a lot in the early nineties.”

What was your first sweet bike as a kid?

“First off I had a big wheeled Schwinn Collegiate. I traded that for a fastback, sissy bar, 6 speed that I consequently crashed and moved on to a Schwinn Varsity. After that I had a Raleigh Gran Prix and then the best real sweet bike was a Raleight Grand Sport in ’73”

Burrito or Taco?

“Tacos”