Since we featured SaltAir’s Matthew Nelson’s own lugged road bike just over a year ago, he seems to have since moved to mainly fillet brazing his customer’s frames. The method does result in a clean line, as evidenced by his most recent, this sleek road bike.
Ryan Kendrick is a fellow Salt Lake City local who’s a food writer for various websites, including his own, SLCEats. He’s also a bike nut that came across SaltAir Cycles at the 2017 NAHBS — in particular, a robust purple SaltAir, built up by Fairwheel Bikes.
Matthew and Ryan got talking and a plan was laid down for his own dream bike. Ryan preferred the smoothness of a fillet brazed frame with road racing geometry that could fit 28c tires. Matt got to work, and an exceptional SaltAir was born.
The frame was built from Columbus Life tubing and a True Temper S3 downtube, credits to which are emblazoned on the down tube. Stainless dropouts and brake bridge were installed, and the cables were internally routed, keeping the top tube clean.
Once it was completed, the frame was sent to Spectrum Paint and Powder Works who coated it with a navy powder and light blue highlights under a pearl clear coat. The final touch was a ladybug on the top tube to remind Ryan of his new baby daughter.
A Silca Impero pump was painted to match and then it was built up with a mechanical Dura-Ace groupset and an ENVE cockpit and tapered steerer fork. Red-hot White Industries hubs and Chris King headset provide a steamy contrast and silky steering.
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Special thanks to Ryan for the photos.