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INTERVIEW: Charge Bikes
9th September 2005 - James
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We featured some of the Charge Bikes prototypes last month, and since they're a pretty new company we figured, it'd be good to know a bit more about the guy who runs the show. Charge is all about sleek lines, top quality frames and riding. Without further ado..
FTMB: Who is Nick Larsen?
Nick: Just someone who loves bikes and is lucky enough to have a dream job.
Why start Charge Bikes now?
I always wanted to be involved with bike company like this, ever since I worked at Pashley Cycles doing the TV Series stuff (I started working there over 10 years ago!) but manufacturing in the UK just wasn’t competitive, and we were always fighting an uphill battle to make money handbuilding in the UK with Pashley. With Charge I also wanted to show that bikes don’t need massive tubes, huge gussets and great big bits of machining to be strong, light and functional. Charge Bikes are simple and effective bikes that use the perfect materials for their applications in the most efficient and effective way, using carefully selected high quality steel and Titanium.
Blender Ti
Are there any plans to make a freeride/dh full suspension bike?
Not in the near future.
When can we expect the bikes to be out?
Frames in 2 –3 months max., complete bikes early 2006.
Where are the bikes manufactured?
Titanium frames in Japan by Tange, and the steel bikes are manufactured in Taiwan from the best Japanese steel from Sanko.
24" Iron Ti
How long has it taken you to get to the stage where you can reveal the prototypes?
A long time, but not as long as I thought it would take... Our manufacturers have exceeded my expectations. The steel frames are made in the same factory as We The People and Terrible One BMX bikes.
After the bikes, whats next?
We have cranks, clothes, and a few other parts in the pipeline. The main focus at the moment is actually building our secret testing ground “Radstock Recreation Ground”. The diggers are back in next week. Some of your readers may have seen the dirt bowls.. They are infact only 1/4 of the total project.
Radstock
Hope alls good at Charge!
So do I. Check out www.chargebikes.com for the latest news, and we will be up at the World Cup in Fort William on the 10 and 11th Sept. with a stand and all the prototypes and clothes.. Come and say hello!
Blender Ti
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