The Post below is taken from KVA Stainless' Designer Profile
de•sign /dəˈzīn/
1. The creation of a plan or convention for the construction of an object or system.
2. Purpose, planning, or intention that exists or is thought to exist behind an action, fact, or material object.
Rarely do companies focus so much on design. Ritte Bicycles has a relationship with their creations that the corporate companies don’t seem to understand. They seem to have a soul, a personality; it’s like they come to life. The California based company was formed a little over 6 years ago with the goal “to produce beautiful, well-made bikes for people who appreciate having something unique.” They’re building something different; something that works.
Stronger than steel, stiffer than titanium, and a better feel than both, stainless steel offers a rare and beautiful component to a bicycle that can’t be matched. Ritte Bicycles uses the KVA MS3 stainless steel for their Stainless Snob. I like to think they call it the Snob because it knows it’s that much better than other bikes out there. The Snob out performs when you need it most, when the ride requires you to get technical. You can’t get that with any other material. Not to mention, they’re a work of art.
We were able to ask Spencer Canon, the lead designer for Ritte and the designer of the Stainless Snob, some questions about his love for cycling, his career as a designer, and the use of stainless steel.
Q: How long have you been designing bicycles, and what got you into the bicycle building industry?
SC: I’ve been designing now for six years. I became obsessed with bikes at an early age and have spent the last 25 years studying them. Although I started out in a different career, I guess I was always meant to end up in the cycling industry.
Q: What’s your favorite aspect of working with, and riding, stainless steel?
SC: We manufacture with several materials, but stainless has always been a favorite of mine. When built well, the road feel you get from stainless is second to none: crisp, comfortable and really grounded feeling. Not to mention, stainless frames are quite rare, so it’s always nice to ride something less common.
Q: How has the response been to the Stainless Snob release?
SC: Our Stainless Snob is one of only a few stock sized stainless frames on the market, so it has been very well received. Our customers are blown away by the ride quality and quite pleased by the weight and power transfer.
Q: What bike are you riding right now?
SC: A Stainless Snob actually.
Q: What’s your favorite place to ride, or what’s your favorite type of riding to do?
SC: Here in Los Angeles we have really amazing climbs and descents, with lots of good fire road riding here and there. A good ride is one where I can get away from cars and into the mountains for a few hours.
Q: What can we look forward to in the months to come?
SC: A Stainless Disc gravel bike.
The future of Ritte is sure to include more great work, including the Stainless Disc gravel bike. Thanks to Spencer Canon, and Ritte bicycles . More beautiful designs from KVA Stainless MS3 Bicycle tubing are still to come, don’t miss out on the MS3 Revolution.
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