Gnarly Metal - Full Edit by JulianCoffey

47 Comments

+ 19

hooKedOn (Sep 27, 2011 at 3:01)

"Think Smart/Work Smart/Earn Smart...Ride Hard"
Nice motto!

carbonlite (Sep 27, 2011 at 4:20)

yeah, at least they were honest about where their intentions are. These are in it to make money. Not for the passion of biking... but that doesn't mean we can't both get what we want... to some extent.

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b-mcclelland (Sep 27, 2011 at 11:39)

Seriously, that's why you rag on them? They are Canadian based, run by a small family. Do you think the corporate guys at Sram even ride? Everyone seems to forget that you go into business to make MONEY! Sure in an industry like cycling the passion helps, but if they can't pay their bills or raise enough capital to expand then they end up losing, and that's not good for anyone.

On another note get better soon Mike!

carbonlite (Sep 27, 2011 at 16:35) (Below Threshold) show comment

oh I totally agree, but their big yellow sign that has nothing to do with biking, and all to do with business.

I'd actually go farther to say a lot of people who work for companies like sram are really cool people and many are passionate about bikes, not just engineers in labs coats.

The problem is bike companies aren't divorced from the negative aspects of many multinational corporations. Giant bikes get heavily criticized for their ethical (or lack of ethical) sourcing for factories overseas, and I'm sure they aren't the only ones as most high and low end bikes come from that geo-poltical region and are produced to the same ends. It's really important to keep all of this in perspective, I mean its easy to say "look unethical manufacturing! Giant must be evil for paying Taiwanese craftsmen less then American craftsmen", but that has more to do with global society then corporate leadership.

The reason I feel we can be critical of the bike industry is because alternatives means of production exist. Look at MEC they have a nearly complete vertical integration of the development, production, distribution, and sales of bikes in Canada. And they do that while only making 0.01% profit. So when another company faults a picture of PBs homepage that says "earn smart" they need to know that as a consumer I don't want them to earn money, and I think they are jerks for self promoting that image of themselves when such viable alternatives exist.

I was really impressed with the straightline factory in this video as that goes. I mean they could probably be criticized for hiring their family members but thats a cultural thing and far from the greatest human rights abuses the corporate world commits.

bikedownahill (Sep 27, 2011 at 18:51)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the motto of the Sandvick guys, not Straightline. I'm referring to the last picture about Straightline being sponsored by them.

Straitline (Sep 27, 2011 at 23:04)

@carbonlite... Sandvik is a respectable firm. This entire release is about small guys who can and did and they want to help get more people into realising that cnc/machining is not a boring dirty job. Asia,North America or Europe, point is do it yourself utilizing modern tech or hire someone else. There is no reason to outsource if you can avoid it.

We fit the bill and the Edgefactor crew selected us and we are beyond stoked and honored.

These two worlds collide only once so milk it and support manufacturing as a cool career regardless of its origins. No one cares anymore, we just buy it and toss it.

carbonlite (Sep 28, 2011 at 7:03)

As long as the milking is of opportunity and not consumers pocket books thats sounds great. I didn't entirely (or at all) understand the relationship between Sandvik and Straitline when I ranted before... not that I really do now, but I feel like I've got a better idea of it.

I still stand by what I said... I just realize it's largely irrelevant to Sandvik and Straitline. If anything you are demonstrating another alternative to multinational business, which is awesome, and I did not clue into that before.

And a massive thanks to straightline for actually commenting a lot on this thread!

I think it is absolutely awesome that a company gets involved in an informal discussion like this. Because at the end of the day you guys know how you work better then anyone else and it adds so much legitimacy to the topic being discussed. I really hope other companies follow this example.

derekr (Sep 28, 2011 at 19:34)

Small local company that took a big risk to compete in a market heavily manufactured overseas. If these guys are making good cash they completely deserve it. If you take risks you either get rewarded or you fail; that is the nature of business kid.

sortafast (Sep 29, 2011 at 1:37)

@ carbonlie: sandvik makes machine tooling. They make very very nice stuff, like tool holders for lathes and cutting tools for mills, inserts for said tools. They do a lot of edumacation for folks so that they can take their machining business and make them more efficient so that they become more profitable. I have taken a class from them and learned a crapload. You pay more for their stuff, but you pretty much get what you pay for with them. I am assuming that the whole sandvik thing is that they sponsored the show, and not necessarily Straitline. Makes sense to pretty much have a big 30min long ad for your product and show how they are being used. Never really heard of a company that makes inserts and tool holders that "sponsors" a shop. I would also bet that they are one of the sponsors of the IMX show in vegas too. Am too lazy to google it tonight.

jmbrit (Sep 29, 2011 at 6:05)

such a great video, I really hope Straitline get more sales from this - they undoubtedly will as this is a very good tech insight and serves as a good educational watch if you ask me, i was completely focused - this was more interesting than a lot of MTB vids out there. Then again I am a bit of an engineering addict so anything that's visual and tech turns me inside out.

Hope Mike P gets better too.

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+ 12

Straitline (Sep 27, 2011 at 10:25)

Please keep the comments civil in here. Mike Paulson is a rad guy who lets us do anything we wish and he is in the hospital fighting for his life as I type this.

Please keep it above board guys, I'd rather he reads positive remarks when he sees this.
Thanks in advance.

marvin-the-martian (Sep 27, 2011 at 15:18)

Got any gyros' in proto that work with two brakes at once?

carbonlite (Sep 27, 2011 at 16:38)

I feel like it'd be really easy to just add a second seal... but you'd need a really tall steer tube, and that's not really conducive to a high end dirt jumper... and if you aren't at a high level of jumping then you probably don't need a gyro, I mean anyone whose barspinning into their double whips are pretty good, and probably not doing it on a DH bike with two brakes.

scottbunkerjr (Sep 27, 2011 at 17:29)

Why mess with adding another seal? Just shorten the front brake line and run a hollow stem bolt like a standard cable brake? No need to change the design of the gyro, it wouldn't have any effect on it or the steer tube. I see slope style bikes running two brakes all the time.

shrockie (Sep 27, 2011 at 18:34)

What happened with Mike? I hope he's okay. It's inspiring to see what he DJ, Dennis and the Straightline team are doing up there. Impressive work!.
(and a drool worthy machine shop!!) I hope he's doing okay!!

immacaroni (Sep 27, 2011 at 23:01)

everyone is out to make money, its a way of life, straitline has my support 100%, even if my shins absolutely hate them, ill still ride there products as much as i can. i got a response email from greg and that guy is a down to earth boss no corporate bullsh*t from him just the truth. so to all you weenies who dont want to do business and make a business prosper, then remember your current job (if you have one) is a business, they must make money to support you and sign your paycheck. my thoughts are,if they make a good product and is a cool company with legit people, then they deserve my money to help support them. after all their products support me. get well soon Mike, healing vibes your way coming from me.

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civil-monkey7 (Sep 27, 2011 at 9:30)

One lengthy commercial indeed.

Still... How does the actual production work? That was my main question when I started watching the show and I still haven't seen an entire design and manufacturing process.

Great shots and editing though, loved that. Quite some original shots many professionals (how it's made and the likes) could learn from.

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EddyDave (Sep 27, 2011 at 2:58)

Awesome video guys! Really interesting to see behind the scenes of a company like Straitline!

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fiore (Sep 27, 2011 at 16:40)

As a mechanical technologist and mtb enthusiast I have been waiting for this video for weeks!
Thank you straitline and edge factor, you guys rock!

I work in a high production machine/ fab shop, and know first hand what it takes to do this type of work. It is not easy, there are so many more factors then what you see on the video. Watching this video makes me extremely jealous, A. because I wish I could ride like Mike, and B. because I wish I had a job with straitline, they definitely have state of the art machines and products. Again great job guys!
Now that I know how they do it, (with a little help of all the vids posted by straitline) I can know start making my own products. Big Grin

Also, this has everything to do with marketing and advertising. Companies like Sandvik and MasterCAM won't get much recognition in this line of work,(many people don't even know what they do) but with industry leading companies like straitline they know will.

When is this competition starting? I need to know? And what exactly is it?

Mountain-Manic (Sep 27, 2011 at 18:39)

Im a machinist in training, and I've been excitedly waiting too! I've only been doing manual machining so far, but I should be moving on to two axis CNC on ProtoTrack machines soon, then as the school season nears its end I should be working on a Haas three axis machining center. Then after I graduate, i'll be going to a college that has a really nice advanced machining course. I love how challenging this trade is!

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Kasperln (Sep 27, 2011 at 4:18)

His name is Mike Paulson

His name is Mike Paulson

His name is Mike Paulson

Irritum (Sep 27, 2011 at 14:25)

You beat me to it! Smile

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krippler720 (Sep 27, 2011 at 3:46)

That was one long commercial...lol But it is one long commercial I actually enjoyed watching.

spi01 (Sep 28, 2011 at 9:22)

This show has 1 main intention, and that is to get kids interested in engineering and manufacturing. For that to be made possible, it required the support of companies like Sandvik, Okuma, Solidworks, and many others. So yes, there is a commercial aspect to the film, as well we get a lot of play because we were willing to completely close our business for over a week to film effectively loosing 2% of our entire years revenues. Currently my own children are following in my footsteps, and we hope the film will inspire other kids to do the same. In the end we are really trying to promote manufacturing, as it is what makes modern life possible in every way. I am glad that most people enjoyed the film, and we are really proud of our involvement int it.

krippler720 (Sep 28, 2011 at 11:39)

Very adequate explanation of the film. Was not saying it in a bad way thats just the feeling I got at the end of it. I do love straightline and I'm stoked to see the support and innovation that is going on through that factory. I've always been interested in the design and engineering side of product, especially when you can do it in house. And the gyro! I've been through a few hydraulic gyro's and like mike said they all suck. Its about time someone pushes forward and tries something new in that aspect of riding. Would love to see if they differ. Overall I really did enjoy the film its something new and touching on points of so called "behind the scenes" that you dont see too often. Good job well Done Cheers!

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AlexRose (Sep 27, 2011 at 14:42)

My 2 favorite things... Mechanical engineering, and biking Big Grin

Seriously considering buying a pair of the new Straitline pedals!

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bryantaber (Sep 28, 2011 at 14:47)

Straitline pedals are vnice but there is pretty strong competition. But out of the Big 3 Chain guide companies, I love the straitline silent guide the best. The resale value on those things are still double the E13's and MRP's. Easiest set up and most trouble free guide on the market (IMO). That being said they must be properly spaced in the initial set up to perform trouble free.

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voltagejosh (Sep 27, 2011 at 4:48)

5.00 min "together they form a unique team that has the flexibility to wear many hats" haha

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beltsander (Oct 1, 2011 at 9:01)

Can I have a copy of that Amp assembly file?

Awesome video, always have been envious of your machine line up, that big mori is SICK!

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ppogoe (Sep 30, 2011 at 0:42)

What is the first song they used? Anyone knows? Would be happy if someone knows... Thanks!!! Great Video! Great Cutting! Great Ideas! Wonderfull to watch!

spi01 (Sep 30, 2011 at 7:31)

The credits are at the end of the film,but I believe it is all an original score.

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Camoguy1 (Sep 27, 2011 at 15:23)

Anybody know the song at the beginning of the episode? Is it Dubstep like some of the rest?

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caiocrz (Sep 27, 2011 at 12:27)

Better than discovery channel LOL...it makes me wanna buy one even though I can barely do a barspin xD

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bikesbeforebabes (Sep 30, 2011 at 17:50)

i loved the sound of there allen keys making ratcheting noises....... where can i buy such products.... lawl

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bebemonk4ever (Oct 3, 2011 at 16:02)

they should make a gyro for 1.5 headtube Razz

the problem of pedals its like we go for whats best between price/quality...

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LukeCowley77 (Sep 28, 2011 at 15:03)

That looked like a long SUPERB edit. AWESOME!

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AngelWho (Sep 27, 2011 at 10:41)

Smells like the beginnings of going public.

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TAridingMTB (Sep 27, 2011 at 8:35)

really enjoyed watching that!

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sglaser (Sep 27, 2011 at 9:18)

great video! Strailtlines the boss!

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superstar92 (Sep 28, 2011 at 7:10)

well it's very useful

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- 10

Nobble (Sep 27, 2011 at 8:09)

When the gyro fails will it be because you turned the bars too many times? lol

Overall a cool video from the technical side although the straitline people seemed a bit smug "we looked at what pedals were available and everything else was inferior" really guys?

Alex-Mtl (Sep 27, 2011 at 9:02)

Really, try some Straitlines, and you'll see why, strongest shit I've ever ridden and seen, and grips like hell.

Nobble (Sep 27, 2011 at 10:29)

I have tried them, they gripped great but they just didnt feel quite right to me...

Andy-M (Sep 27, 2011 at 11:26)

Surely they could make their pedals lighter, since I reckon peoples legs would give out before the amount of force that pneumatic ram was able to put on the pedal...

jaketinnelly (Sep 27, 2011 at 14:42)

They are a company promoting their products. Its a competitive market. The two best methods to do so, are:
-Talk up your product
-Talk down everyone elses
Simple

spi01 (Sep 28, 2011 at 8:43)

What was actually said was most every thing else out there was inferior. We definitely stand behind that statement. 99 out of 100 pedals are virtual clones of each other with slight stylization differences and different brand names on them. Last year at Eurobike I took pictures of at least 30 different pedals by thirty different brands. Internally they were all the exact same, externally they were all produced from the same extrusion, then milled differently and laser marked with a different name. That being said there are a few great pedals on the market, made by good manufacturers, and we fully commend companies that come up with their own unique products and control their own manufacturing rather than re branding some cheap junk just to make a quick buck.

spaced (Oct 2, 2011 at 9:48)

Noble you should take into consideration WHEN their pedals were released. It was quite a few years ago when most pedals were either not durable or lacked grip. Syncros had good pedals but they weighted over 800g.

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