Six-Eleven Bicycle Co.

Some Might Say The Greatest Clients

I have to say, we’re lucky to have amazing clients. Our clients join the Six-Eleven Bicycle Co. family, and each one brings something special and unique to the table when it comes to designing their own custom built bike. On Monday this week we got a call from John Robinson, Roanoke resident, who asked if he could stop by the shop. He swung by and brought with him a deposit and letter. The letter is titled “Why I Want a 611 Bike”. Below I’ve hit some of the highlights, but I’ve also include the whole letter (click to enlarge) - it’s worth a read.

The letter begins,“The thought of having a custom made bicycle fuels my dreams and memories of the joy that cycling has brought me all these years. Commissioning the building of a 611 hand-made bicycle is not only a tip of the hat to my railroadin’ heritage hometown, but it pays homage to the importance that cycling has been to me throughout my life.”

John goes on to talk about the beauty of steel (and he says it better than we ever could). “...And I see the working of the materials, of the steel, the abrasives, the tools, the fire, as timeless elements of being human. The essence of which goes back thousands of years. We are tool users. Our hands, through tools and material and directed by the creative drive of our brains, give us the ability to directly affect change in our world.”

John concludes with a nod to the art of bike building. He says, “I want to support the craft, not only through my modest financial commitment, but through my enthusiasm, so this art and science is kept alive for now and for the future.”

Our clients are each unique and come to us for a variety of reasons and through many different avenues. But above all, we’re grateful for our clients who appreciate the beauty, strength, comfort, and art of steel. They may not all be so eloquent in their expression, but they’ve all communicated their appreciation through their decision to buy handmade steel. We’re so grateful to every one of our clients and admirers for supporting the art of small manufacturers and continuing the tradition of handbuilt, American made products. We work hard to live up to your expectations, and we thank you all!

Thanks John, both for the letter and for the permission to repost it! What a great way to start off and now end the week.

(and as if John wasn’t already cool enough, I borrowed the small photo of him on the side of the blog from the internet. Yes, he’s paragliding in Brazil.)