MSH1 Bicycle Works &amp; M.P. Klucha Blog Spot

Original Article at EHBE Website

US Framebuilder (MSH1 Bicycle Works) Launches ‘American Delivery Program’ At EHBE

Matt Klucha

Connecticut-based framebuilder Matt Klucha of MSH1 Bicycle Works will announce a unique ‘American Delivery Program’ for European customers at this years’ European Handmade Bicycle Expo, which takes place this weekend in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany.

The program, inspired by the European delivery schemes offered by performance auto makers such as Porsche and Ferrari, offers European clients the opportunity to experience the ‘final mile’ of becoming a custom frame (or bike) owner in the workshop where their frame was built and in the company of the builder.

Customers get their final bike fitting from the builder and have the opportunity to take full advantage of the beautiful New England scenery and its network of local roads as the ‘test track’ for their new MSH1-built bike.

According to MSH1,

‘…with the MSH1 Bicycle Works American Delivery Program, you will experience first-hand what actually goes into making a truly handbuilt bicycle – the process of meticulous craftsmanship of an MSH1 bicycle, made entirely by hand in America – and enjoy a lovely vacation in New England along the way’.

The Program offers customers the chance to experience at close-range the many hours of work that goes into building an MSH1 frame, with all of the finer details of framebuilding explained and demonstrated. As guests of MSH1, they can take full advantage of the picturesque location and spend some time getting to know the the local roads and nearby picture-postcard locations. Program customers are offered competitive prices on the cost of a full bike, with generous discounts offsetting the cost of collecting their new bike from the builder.

Prospective customers can discuss the Program with Klucha during EHBE, where they can be measured up with Klucha’s in-house ‘Fingerprint Fit’ frame-fitting process, and at the same time, discuss the myriad of frame and bike options a custom bike offers.

Customers not able to make it to EHBE in person can nevertheless take advantage of MSH1’s fitting process via the comprehensive telephone and e-mail consultation method developed by Klucha to ensure the best size and position for the customer is determined.

EHBE 2010 – Summary & Thanks

Posted in EHBE, European Handmade Bicycle Expo, M.P.Klucha, MSH1, MSH1 Bicycle Works, MSH1 Photos, Matt Klucha at 8:26 am by Administrator

EHBE 2010 – Summary &Thanks

With another Superbe EHBE complete, my thanks go out to Indra and Ingo for their untiring efforts in putting this year’s show together. Clearly another successful year!

Agnes and I always so much enjoy the pleasures of meeting people from so many places worldwide, and the interesting discussion and camaraderie which develops.

This year I publicly announced my “MSH1 American Delivery Program”, offered to International Clients (including Canada). For clients taking advantage of the program, what awaits is the opportunity to explore New England, and spend a few days watching how your frame was made, and more… as special guests of us, the Klucha’s. Truly a unique and special way to complete the process of attaining an MSH1 Bicycle.
MSH1 Bicycle Works American Delivery Program for International Clients (ADP)

EHBE is truly an international event.

As stated prior the show:
“Last year’s EHBE (2009) was such a phenomenal event, drawing so much talent from so many places worldwide, returning again in 2010 proved to be irresistible.”
“I consider Europe to be the heart of cycling, with an enduring and resilient legacy and lore. The pioneering efforts of previous generations now materialize in current framebuilders making bicycles that are truly made by hand, yet employ contemporary design, modern material technology, and purposefully optimized performance. “ – Matt Klucha May, 2010

Also this year I made the opportunity to speak at length and more intimately with some builders I especially respect and admire. As well, I had the chance to converse with several quality component makers with a true passion for what they do.

The weather could not have been lovelier in the locale of Schwäbisch-Gmünd in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It was as though the skies opened up just in time for the show.
Schwäbisch Gmünd Official Website
Read more about Schwäbisch-Gmünd

Again this year, the setup and teardown was painless. The Congress-Centrum Stadtgarten provides easy access, close parking and a unique layout offering a mix of rooms, levels, and natural lighting, with the lovely open courtyard allowing patrons opportunity to “test-ride” bicycles. Thanks to the several builders that offered their bikes to me to test-ride, in return for my handling evaluation.

With close proximity to Schwäbisch-Gmünd Marktplatz (downtown) there was easy access to excellent restaurants, hotels, and other services. Stuttgart airport is within reasonable driving distance, with many things to do nearby.

M.P.Klucha C-Sport MSH1 Racing

Sincerely,
Matt Klucha
MSH1 Bicycle Works (Matt’s Superbe Handbuilts)
M.P.Klucha
Colchester, CT, USA
MSH1 Bicycle Works /M.P. Klucha Website
MSH1 Bicycle Works /M.P. Klucha Photos

Original Article at Handmade Bikes

US Brands Add international Flavour: EHBE sees big turnout from USA

Posted in EHBE, European Handmade Bicycle Expo, M.P.Klucha, MSH1, Matt Klucha at 6:49 am by Administrator

Original Article at Handmade Bikes

US Brands Add international Flavour: EHBE sees big turnout from USA

Matt Klucha

This weekend, the picturesque town of Schwäbisch Gmünd in Southern Germany plays host to the 2010 European Handmade Bicycle Exhibition.

The expo, which aims to bring together Europe’s finest frame and bicycle constructors, has a truly international feel this year, with many of the exhibitors coming from outside Europe.

Naturally, for a German show, the greatest numbers of exhibitors are from Germany with 38, followed by Italy with 15, but the real surprise in this years’ event is the number of brands of US origin.

Twelve US brands will appear on the 2010 exhibitor list. Among the high-profile American names making it to the show are brands Seven, Serotta and Independent Fabrication.

Elsewhere at the show, the US presence continues with not-so-global brands such as Carver, Chris King’s Cielo and one of last years’ critically-acclaimed visitors, MSH1 Bicycle Works of Colchester, Connecticut.

The sole framebuilder at MSH1, Matt Klucha will be making a return visit to the show accompanied by wife Agnes. The Klucha’s are returning this year as a result of the warm reception they received at last years’ event.

Said Matt:
psc

“Last year’s EHBE was such a phenomenal event, drawing so much talent from so many places worldwide, returning again in 2010 proved to be irresistible.”

“I consider Europe to be the heart of cycling, with an enduring and resilient legacy and lore. The pioneering efforts of previous generations now materialize in current framebuilders making bicycles that are truly made by hand, yet employ contemporary design, modern material technology, and purposefully optimized performance.
M.P. Klucha Candy Cobra Sportif

Indra Sarkar, EHBE organiser said :

“We were pleasantly surprised in the increased interest from small-scale framebuilders, clothing manufacturers and components makers from outside Europe.

It shows the message we have tried to convey about the handmade bike scene crossing borders and reaching all parts of the globe is beginning to filter through. We hope this interest from outside Europe will continue and next year and hope the builders in Asia who have expressed an interest in appearing at the show will be able to make it to next years’ event.”

The European Handmade Bicycle Expo runs from 21st to 23rd of May. Venue is the Congress Centrum Stadtgarten in Schwabisch Gmund, Southern Germany. Almost 100 exhibitors are due to appear and a full programme of supporting events and seminars will take place during the show weekend.

MSH1 Inlayed Stainless Head Motif One Style of MSH1's Seat Cluster Another Style of MSH1's Seat Cluster

US FRAMEBUILDER (MSH1 Bicycle Works) ANNOUNCES ‘AMERICAN DELIVERY PROGRAM’

Posted in EHBE, European Handmade Bicycle Expo, M.P.Klucha, MSH1, MSH1 American Delivery Program, MSH1 Bicycle Works, Matt Klucha at 6:37 am by Administrator

US FRAMEBUILDER (MSH1 Bicycle Works) ANNOUNCES ‘AMERICAN DELIVERY PROGRAM’

Colchester, Connecticut, 20th May 2010 – Connecticut-based framebuilder Matt Klucha of MSH1 Bicycle Works will announce a unique ‘American Delivery Program’ for European customers at this years’ European Handmade Bicycle Expo, which takes place this weekend in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany.

The program, inspired by the European delivery schemes offered by performance auto makers such as Porsche and Ferrari, offers European clients the opportunity to experience the ‘final mile’ of becoming a custom frame (or bike) owner in the workshop where their frame was built and in the company of the builder.

Customers get their final bike fitting from the builder and have the opportunity to take full advantage of the beautiful New England scenery and its network of local roads as the ‘test track’ for their new MSH1-built bike.

According to MSH1,

‘…with the MSH1 Bicycle Works American Delivery Program, you will experience first-hand what actually goes into making a truly handbuilt bicycle – the process of meticulous craftsmanship of an MSH1 bicycle, made entirely by hand in America – and enjoy a lovely vacation in New England along the way’.

The Program offers customers the chance to experience at close-range the many hours of work that goes into building an MSH1 frame, with all of the finer details of framebuilding explained and demonstrated. As guests of MSH1, they can take full advantage of the picturesque location and spend some time getting to know the the local roads and nearby picture-postcard locations. Program customers are offered competitive prices on the cost of a full bike, with generous discounts offsetting the cost of collecting their new bike from the builder.

Prospective customers can discuss the Program with Klucha during EHBE, where they can be measured up with Klucha’s in-house ‘Fingerprint Fit’ frame-fitting process, and at the same time, discuss the myriad of frame and bike options a custom bike offers.

Customers not able to make it to EHBE in person can nevertheless take advantage of MSH1’s fitting process via the comprehensive telephone and e-mail consultation method developed by Klucha to ensure the best size and position for the customer is determined.

—ENDS—

—FURTHER DETAILS—-

Matt Klucha, MSH1 Bicycle Works;

contact@msh1bw.com

http://www.msh1bw.com/

www.mattklucha.com

(001) 860 537 9746

www.e-h-b-e.eu

–IMAGES FOR PUBLICATION —

http://www.mediabike.net/MSH1BW.zip

PPOL:News Article – US Presence Adds International Flavour To EHBE

Posted in EHBE, European Handmade Bicycle Expo, M.P.Klucha, MSH1, MSH1 Bicycle Works, Matt Klucha at 6:31 am by Administrator

US Presence Adds International Flavour To EHBE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Schwäbisch Gmünd, GERMANY May 17, 2010 – This weekend, the picturesque town of Schwäbisch Gmünd in Southern Germany plays host to the 2010 European Handmade Bicycle Exhibition.

The expo, which aims to bring together Europe’s finest frame and bicycle constructors, has a truly international feel this year, with many of the exhibitors coming from outside Europe.

Naturally, for a German show, the greatest numbers of exhibitors are from Germany with 36, followed by Italy with 15, but the real surprise in this years’ event is the number of brands of US origin.

Twelve US brands will appear on the 2010 exhibitor list. Among the high-profile American names making it to the show are brands Seven, Serotta and Independent Fabrications. Elsewhere at the show, the US presence continues with not-so-global brands such as Carver, Chris King’s Cielo and one of last years’ critically-acclaimed visitors, MSH1 Bicycle Works of Colchester, Connecticut.

The sole framebuilder at MSH1, Matt Klucha will be making a return visit to the show accompanied by wife Agnes. The Klucha’s are returning this year as a result of the warm reception they received at last years’ event.

Said Matt:

“Last year’s EHBE was such a phenomenal event, drawing so much talent from so many places worldwide, returning again in 2010 proved to be irresistible.”

“I consider Europe to be the heart of cycling, with an enduring and resilient legacy and lore. The pioneering efforts of previous generations now materialize in current framebuilders making bicycles that are truly made by hand, yet employ contemporary design, modern material technology, and purposefully optimized performance. “

Indra Sarkar, EHBE organiser said :

“We were pleasantly surprised in the increased interest from small-scale framebuilders, clothing manufacturers and components makers from outside Europe.

It shows the message we have tried to convey about the handmade bike scene crossing borders and reaching all parts of the globe is beginning to filter through. We hope this interest from outside Europe will continue and next year and hope the builders in Asia who have expressed an interest in appearing at the show will be able to make it to next years’ event.”

The European Handmade Bicycle Expo runs from 21st to 23rd of May. Venue is the Congress Centrum Stadtgarten in Schwabisch Gmund, in Southern Germany. Over 90 exhibitors are due to appear and a full programme of supporting events and seminars will take place during the show weekend.

— ENDS —

—NOTES AND LINKS—

Schwäbisch Gmünd (pop. 61,000) is in the German state of Baden-Württemberg . It is situated in south-west Germany, around 50km from Stuttgart, one of Germany’s largest cities and a major centre for engineering and design.

This is the second edition of the show, the first being held in the same location on 7th – 10th May, 2009. Seventy exhibitors attended the first edition. 2010 sees around 100 exhibitors from 12 countries.

Show website : http://www.e-h-b-e.eu/

—IMAGES—

The link below is a list of a selection of images of the work of MSH1 and Matt Klucha .

www.mediabike.net/MSHIBW.zip

—TEXT—

http://www.mediabike.net/EHBEPR2.doc Word format

http://www.mediabike.net/EHBEPR2.pdf PDF format.

—CONTACTS—

Indra Sarkar

tel : +49 (0)7171/989071

fax : +49 (0)7171988954

email : indra@e-h-b-e.eu

—DATES AND OPENING TIMES—

Friday, 21.05.10 : 12.00 -18.00h

Saturday, 22.05.10 : 9.00 -18.00h

Sunday, 23.05.10 : 9.00 -18.00h

Original Article at BikeBiz

BikeBiz Article – Euro handmade bike show (EHBE) has international appeal

Posted in EHBE, European Handmade Bicycle Expo, M.P.Klucha, MSH1, MSH1 Bicycle Works, Matt Klucha at 6:21 am by Administrator

Euro handmade bike show has international appeal

Of 90 exhibitors at European Handmade Bicycle Exhibition, staged this weekend in Germany, 12 are American (with Matt Klucha of MSH1 Bicycle Works being Canadian and American).

This weekend, the picturesque town of Schwäbisch Gmünd in Southern Germany plays host to the 2010 European Handmade Bicycle Exhibition.

The expo, which aims to bring together Europe’s finest frame and bicycle constructors, also has a large number of exhibitors from outside Europe.

There are 90 exhibitors: 36 from Germany; 15 from Italy and 12 from the US.

Among the high-profile American names making it to the show are brands Seven, Serotta and Independent Fabrications. Elsewhere at the show, the US presence continues with not-so-global brands such as Carver, Chris King’s Cielo and one of last years’ critically-acclaimed visitors, MSH1 Bicycle Works of Colchester, Connecticut.

The sole framebuilder at MSH1, Matt Klucha will be making a return visit to the show accompanied by wife Agnes. The Klucha’s are returning this year as a result of the warm reception they received at last years’ event.

“Last year’s EHBE was such a phenomenal event, drawing so much talent from so many places worldwide, returning again in 2010 proved to be irresistible,” said Klucha.

“I consider Europe to be the heart of cycling, with an enduring and resilient legacy and lore. The pioneering efforts of previous generations now materialize in current framebuilders making bicycles that are truly made by hand, yet employ contemporary design, modern material technology, and purposefully optimized performance. “

Indra Sarkar, EHBE organiser said:

“We were pleasantly surprised in the increased interest from small-scale framebuilders, clothing manufacturers and components makers from outside Europe.

“It shows the message we have tried to convey about the handmade bike scene crossing borders and reaching all parts of the globe is beginning to filter through. We hope this interest from outside Europe will continue and next year and hope the builders in Asia who have expressed an interest in appearing at the show will be able to make it to next years’ event.”

The European Handmade Bicycle Expo runs from 21st to 23rd of May. The venue is the Congress Centrum Stadtgarten in Schwabisch Gmund, in Southern Germany.

Original BikeBiz Article

Bicycle Retailer Article – Euro Handmade Show (EHBE) to Have U.S. Flair

Posted in EHBE, European Handmade Bicycle Expo, M.P.Klucha, MSH1, MSH1 Bicycle Works, Matt Klucha at 5:28 am by Administrator

Original Article at BRAIN: Bicycle Retailer and Industry News

Euro Handmade Show to Have U.S. Flair

SCHWABISCH GMUND, Germany (BRAIN)—Southern Germany will play host to the 2010 European Handmade Bicycle Exhibition (EHBE) that will feature more than 90 exhibitors starting tomorrow and running through Sunday.

So it makes all the sense in the world that Germany will have the greatest number of exhibitors with 36. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that 12 exhibitors are coming from the United States (with Matt Klucha of MSH1 Bicycle Works being Canadian and American).

“We were pleasantly surprised in the increased interest from small-scale framebuilders, clothing manufacturers and components makers from outside Europe,” said Indra Sarkar, organizer of EHBE. “It shows the message we have tried to convey about the handmade bike scene crossing borders and reaching all parts of the globe is beginning to filter through. We hope this interest from outside Europe will continue and next year and hope the builders in Asia who have expressed an interest in appearing at the show will be able to make it to next years’ event.”

Among the high-profile American names making it to the show are Seven, Serotta and Independent Fabrications. Elsewhere at the show, the U.S. presence continues with not-so-global brands such as Carver, Chris King’s Cielo and one of last year’s critically-acclaimed visitors, MSH1 Bicycle Works of Colchester, Connecticut.

The sole framebuilder at MSH1, Matt Klucha will be making a return visit to the show accompanied by wife Agnes. The Kluchas are returning this year as a result of the warm reception they received at last year’s event.

“Last year’s EHBE was such a phenomenal event, drawing so much talent from so many places worldwide, returning again in 2010 proved to be irresistible,” Klucha said. “I consider Europe to be the heart of cycling, with an enduring and resilient legacy and lore. The pioneering efforts of previous generations now materialize in current framebuilders making bicycles that are truly made by hand, yet employ contemporary design, modern material technology, and purposefully optimized performance.”

Original Article at BRAIN: Bicycle Retailer and Industry News

Link to Hartford Courant Article
Daily Press
Chicago Tribune
Morning Call
Treehugger
World News

07.08.09

Hartford Courant Business/Money Section Article – MSH1 Bicycle Works

Posted in Hartford Courant, M.P.Klucha, MSH1, MSH1 Bicycle Works, Matt Klucha at 6:12 am by Administrator

Custom Frame Maker MSH1 Bicycle Works Turns Profit By Staying Small

MSH1 Bicycle Works / M.P. Klucha Custom Handcrafted Bicycle Frames

Matt Klucha holds a hand-crafted bicycle frame he built in the converted garage that serves as his workshop and studio. Klucha left his job as a mechanical engineer at Pratt & Whitney to build bicycles. (CLOE POISSON / THE HARTFORD COURANT / July 7, 2009)

By JANICE PODSADA The Hartford Courant

July 8, 2009

COLCHESTER – It takes weeks for Matt Klucha to produce a single, hand-built bicycle frame in the converted garage that doubles as his workshop and studio.

“I can build one frame every three weeks — if I have a really big backlog. But I don’t like to work at that pace,” said Klucha, owner of MSH1 Bicycle Works, whose custom designed, hand-built road and racing bicycles sell for $5,000 or more.

Klucha’s low-volume, low-overhead approach means using a hacksaw to cut the chromoly tubing that will form the frame and cutting the threads with a special hand tool instead of using a lathe.

“It requires more endurance than strength. I just turn on some good music and go at it,” said Klucha, a mechanical engineer who spent 11 years designing jet engine components for Pratt & Whitney. In his spare time, he built bicycle frames and saved his money with the eventual goal of starting his own business.

“Sitting at a desk for eight to 10 hours a day was driving me stir crazy,” said Klucha, glancing at a computer monitor streaming live video from the Tour de France.

He quit his job three years ago and launched MSH1 with $25,000 in savings. The initials stand for Matt’s Superb Hand-builts. Before chucking his paycheck, though, he plotted the potential pitfalls: “If you have something passionate you want to pursue … go with it,” Klucha said. “but the ideal is to see the potential catastrophe coming, and plan for the worst.”

From the start, Klucha’s plan was to create a sustainable, one-person business with a small carbon footprint.

“I did look at renting a property off-site and investing in large machinery, but that wasn’t the business model I wanted to pursue,” he said.

His business plan proved its merit this past year when demand for luxury items, including hand-built bicycle frames, shifted into low gear. Several hand-built bicycle builders that invested in expensive milling equipment or took on too much debt went out of business, Klucha said.

“I’m profitable because I’ve stayed small,” said Klucha, who would not disclose details about the privately owned business.

Klucha has no plans to add employees or machines. Not only are those additions costly, but they don’t fit his philosophy, which is “the more machinery a builder uses, the more detached he becomes from the frame.”

“Many builders who say they make hand-built frames actually use a significant amount of machinery. I’ve never built a frame with any machinery. It’s always been with simple hand tools,”. said Klucha, 38, as he stood inside his small but pristine workshop.

Klucha’s craftsmanship recently impressed Carl Schultz of Colchester. Schultz, 51, took possession of a hand-built MSH1 road bike three weeks ago. After a series of short rides, the retired state police officer took it for a 30-mile ride on Sunday.

“I had no soreness the next day,” Schultz said. “Up to this point I’ve only owned department store bikes. Riding this bike is like going to an elite vehicle. It’s set up more ergonomically. It fits like a glove.”

Schultz, a marathon runner, wanted to add cycling to his routine. He found MSH1 as part of an Internet search.

At Schultz’ first fitting, Klucha took a series of measurements: including his arm length, inseam, and the ratio of his leg length to his body length, then quizzed him about physical fitness and the type of riding he planned to do.

“I spent a whole year designing my product, testing my frames and tearing them apart — because of the training I had at Pratt & Whitney,” Klucha said.

This spring, Klucha exhibited his frames at the European Handmade Bicycle Exposition in Stuttgart, Germany, where he met Neil Hassan, a Glasgow-based bicycle manufacturing consultant and a former bike frame builder. Hassan took home one of Klucha’s hand-built frames.

“If you were to strip the paint off half-a-dozen frames and put them in a line-up, Matt’s frame would stand out. It’s because he pays attention to the finer details; how he shapes his lugs and fittings, the fine lines at the tube junctions,” Neil Hassan wrote in an e-mail. “I’ve ridden super light, carbon race bikes just like those being ridden by Tour De France teams. I’ve ridden prototypes of exotic alloy-tubed frames… All are nice to look at and all would no doubt impress the ‘weight weenies’ and ‘Lance fans’. But none of them can compare to the bike built with the frame Matt made for me. In short, he ‘Gets It,’”

For more information about MSH1 Bicycle Works go to:
MSH1 Bicycle Works / M.P. Klucha Website