Blade Production: Final Stages
Things have come together nicely on Blade production and I can't tell you how thrilled we are about it!
Last week after welding, the frames all went through 2 stages of heat treatment, adjustment and calibrations. Heat treatment is what gives the Aluminum strength to be used as an offroad mountain bike.
Each Blade frame started as pieces of aluminum, which got turned into tubes, molded into shape, cut to exactly the right spec, tac welded together, adjusted, rewelded, smooth welded and heat treated, calibrated, heat treated again, readjusted and finally came to this stage. In the process each Blade frame picks up it's own patina, unlike any other bike in existence. Traditionally this is chemically cleaned, sanded down and painted over, but for us the beauty is in the process.
It's time for the craftsmanship that went behind each bike to get the spotlight.
The frames are sprayed clean of dust to prep for decals.
Decals are applied right on the bare metal.
The headtube has picked up a magnificent finish in the process. It needs a lightning bolt.
Decaled frames go through the painting line to be sprayed with a protective clear coat.
This coat seals in the decals and locks in the beautiful markings, the evidence of your bike's creation.
That's it for now.
Assembly starts tomorrow and will continue through the end of the week.
Stay tuned for the update you've been waiting for!
We love you,
Team FLX