Tag: Craig Calfee

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Show #590 – January 22, 2022

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Guests: Ash Lovell; Craig Calfee

We begin today with Ash Lovell from People for Bikes.  Her official title is Electric Bicycle Policy and Campaign Director and our topic is important and timely. If you ride an eBike or are considering purchasing one, you will eventually need to consider the disposal of your used-up battery.  The estimated lifespan is about 5 years – although I don’t have a good translation of that in hours and/or miles. During the Consumer Electronics Show a couple of weeks ago, Ash was a presenter at CES and the topic was about a new program for recycling eBike batteries. Partnering with manufacturers and bike shops, People For Bikes is leading the campaign to make sure these batteries are appropriately recycled so they don’t end up in landfills.

Then, we check in with one of my favorite industry people – Craig Calfee. Craig and I have known each other for a very long time and I have a heap-o-respect for his work, the way he looks at our industry, and the efforts he puts in to share his knowledge and expertise across the globe.

While carbon fiber has become the “material of choice” among virtually every manufacturer, Craig still pushes the envelope with his ideas and designs.

Today, we talk about the Calfee Nautilus carbon wheelsets, what’s selling at his manufacturing facility, eBike conversion kits, his carbon repair business, and more

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Show #518 – September 5, 2020

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Guests: Bill Sepe & Ron Brubaker; Alex Strickland; Craig Calfee

We have three outstanding guests this evening and we cover three very diverse topics.

I am always interested in new trails to explore – especially when they are right in our own backyard!

My first guests live in Hudson, Ohio, are both retired from their respective jobs, and have joined forces to help establish TASCForce – Trail Advocates of Summit County. Bill Sepe and Ron Brubaker have made it their mission to not only help promote trails in the area but are especially interested in developing a 12.5 mile trail from Hudson, Ohio to Akron – an area that is not too far from where we are in Cleveland.

9 times a year, editor-in-chief Alex Strickland from Adventure Cycling Assn. publishes Adventure Cyclist Magazine, one of the preeminent magazines in the bicycle world. From the stories that come in from all over the world to great product reviews, it’s always a great read. But, ACA is also well-known for its maps, guided tours, and events.

However, COVID being what it is – the ultimate in killing all the fun – ACA has had to make some hard decisions – cancelling guided tours, not allowing folks into the Missoula facility, and pretty much keeping the staff at a minimum. BUT, that doesn’t mean good things aren’t happening either.

Craig Calfee, owner and founder of Calfee Design, is arguably the Daddy of Carbon Fiber and always an entertaining and enlightening guest.

What I always find so interesting and endearing about Craig is his unabashed willingness to share what he does – for example, offering his DIY bamboo bicycle kit AND getting ready to upgrade it so more people can make more bikes – for others as well as themselves.

And, Craig always has some really interesting – if not unusual – projects on the drawing board – like his work with electric motorcycles. And, he’s also thinking about how to reach out to us when events such as NAHBS or the Philly Bike Expo have been cancelled for 2020.

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Show #387 – February 10, 2018

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Guests: Heather Dowd & Beppe Salerno; Chris Gillemet; Craig Calfee

Good stuff this week!

My first guests are Heather Dowd and Beppe Salerno – a husband and wife team. They own and operate Tourissimo Bike Tours, and this year they are offering 4 Chef Bike Tours. An American chef will ride with the guests as each tour explores the country, the traditions, the food, and the wine.

Then, we learn about VeloF ix – the mobile repair franchise – with founder Chris Gillemet. Chris takes us into the van, how the mobile app works, and why mobile repair is growing when so many bike shops are floundering.

Lastly, we check in with Craig Calfee from Calfee Designs. As always, he has so many projects in the works. Today we talk about Cyclists for Cultural Exchange and a trip to Cuba as well as Craig’s projects outside of the cycling world.

 

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Show #193 – May 10, 2014

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Guests: Author Terry Kerber; Craig Calfee

In his foreword to the new book “Major Taylor – The Inspiring Story of a Black Cyclist and the Men Who Helped Him Achieve Worldwide Fame” – Greg LeMond wrote: “In order to reach the pinnacle of their chosen sport, all professional athletes have to endure countless setback and unforeseen hardships.”

Major Taylor WAS at the pinnacle of bike racing in his day and his hardships were excruciatingly difficult to imagine; but, brothers and authors Terry and Conrad Kerber captured Taylor’s life, career, and history eloquently in their new book. My interview with Terry barely scratches the surface; hopefully, you’ll want to know a lot more!

When you think carbon fiber and frame building the first name to come to mind is Craig Calfee. Craig joins me to talk about his new bike, The Manta, as well as some innovations in materials as well as his involvement in a new project in the Congo.