ARKIE PROFILE | Joel McCourt
I recently had the good pleasure of visiting with Joel McCourt owner/operator of Symond Cycles. What is Symond Cycles? Well now…I’m glad you asked. Joel designs finely crafted purposefully built custom steel bicycles. Yup, that’s a mouth full. But all so very true. So hang out for a sec and find out more about Joel and what he’s up to at Symond Cycles.
OCA: Tell us about the name and that super cool head tube badge.
OCA: Can you tell us the top challenges you have faced thus far?
OCA: Can you tell us the top satisfactions you have experienced thus far?
OCA: Do you have a favorite build?
OCA: Tell us about steel. Are you planning to work with any other materials in the future?
OCA: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
OCA: How can interested customers get in touch with you?
It all starts on paper. Each frame starts as a drawing. Tailored to fit the customers goals, needs and desires.
A key component is this work table that weighs a boat load and then some.
Once the plans are approved and the green light is given the ball starts rolling. This holds the bottom bracket in place and Joel will spend many hours working around this fixed point.
Steel.
Not your average bottom bracket. Makes me think of baby birds in a nest.
Something super interesting about Joel is he made many of his tools. This holds the lug in place so he can file.
A closer look.
This is a ‘fork bender’. Yup, you guessed it. It actually bends the fork tubes to spec.
Example.
I was like a kid in a candy store or a grown man in a bike shop.
Precision, the name of the game.
I love the look of the lugs. Not sure why, just do.
In action.
Before and after.
Before and after.
The final steps involve paint. That takes place behind this door.
Joel even built his own paint room.
Powered by this monster compressor.
Final Thoughts
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