Meet Gregory Keefer | Bicycle Builder & Mountain Biker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gregory Keefer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gregory, why did you pursue a creative career?
There’s really something rewarding about making something with your hands that you love. To take and shape these 9 or so little tubes and turn them into a vehicle that people will go out and embark on their own adventures with–that truly makes me happy and fulfilled. Also the hope that I get a chance to make it better the next time. I am my worst critic. I see every mistake I make, but then I get another shot to do it all over again.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been riding bicycles for as long as I can remember. So the “record” button has been on since I was 7 years old or so. I’m excited most about how relevant bikes are, even with the ever “moving standards” in the bicycle industry, it’s still 2 wheels and human power which translates to more bums on bikes. I think it’s a time game and that’s what keeps my head level. I know I have options to fabricate with and fortunate to live in a town where we have amazing resources everywhere.

The most important factor for my brand is building the best quality bike for the rider and their desired application. For sustainable customer satisfaction, I have to get to know each customer and read between the lines to understand what they really want. I have heard and seen it time and time again where a customer asks for something that isn’t going to work, or they aren’t going to like the end product. I don’t want to build that. Hopefully I can stay true to that.

Thankfully, I have a queue of bikes to build. My friends have been supportive in my endeavor to build custom bicycle frames and word spreads rider to rider. There’s a lifetime of knowledge to learn and apply, and as I mentioned earlier I am just hitting my stride.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d start the morning off with coffee, casa de Keefer, get a light breakfast and head west to Lory State Park and do a full day of riding hitting the closest, most accessible trails Fort Collins has to offer. Grab a post ride burrito from Consuelos, smothered in medium or hot green chile, swing by the Town Pump for a couple of jello shots and then back to the house to rinse off and jump in the hot tub with a local beer or 2. Mobb Distillery makes some of the best cocktails in town, which could take over jello shots, depending on our energy level and day plans.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
James and Tarryn Bleakley of Black Sheep Bikes. James built me my first custom bike when he was getting started in 1998/99. James has been instrumental in both refining my approach to building and bringing new processes to the table. – * https://www.blacksheepbikes.com/

As mentioned above, I have been honing my skills with James and Tarryn, but I got my start with Dave Bohm and Koichi Yamachuchi.

* Dave Bohm: https://www.framebuildingschool.com/
* Koichi Yamaguchi https://www.instagram.com/yamaguchibike/

Website: https://www.incognitocycles.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/incognitocycles/