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Coggs is no new kid.  But the energy is still there and the desire to learn and create is alive more than ever.  Started in 1986 by myself Jeff Shugg and Kevin Coldridge and in search of a name for the business they combined a few letters from each of their last names to come up with something they thought was apropos to cycling.  Even though Kevin departed a few years later I liked the name and have kept it to this day.


With a background in Welding Engineering Coggs initially did frame repairs and modifications in the Calgary area for individuals and bike shops, and with the help of my brother Keith also paint refinishing .  Eventually taking on warranty repairs for Cycletech, who was the distributor of Fisher and Tech bicycles, a lot was learned about what breaks, how, and what not to do when designing and building a frame.  It was invaluable.


The first frame made in 1988 was a fillet brazed 24" wheeled mountain bike for my 5'-1" girl friend at the time.  It  utilized Tange #1 tubing and a Cannondale fork and Coggs stem.  One unique feature was the rear brake cable ran thru the seat tube and seat post over an aluminum pulley and then to the brakes.  Right out of the gate I was doing some unconventional stuff.


More frames in 1989 including road bikes, and MTB frames utilizing steeply sloped oval top tubes.  One of which was eventually mentioned in the November 1990 issue of Mountain Bike Action magazine.  In the days of no Internet this was a big deal and helped add some credibility.  Things really picked up in the next few years and the business grew to its peak of 3 employees.  By 92 Coggs had an MTB race team and a new logo (still in use today) created by Aaron McConnell.  Yep the same guy in charge of the Trans Rockies racing events.  Peak years of 92-95 saw the production of many types of frames:  Road, triathlon, Softride beam Randonneuring, track, trials, and tandems, Double Softride tandems, and full suspension MTB's & tandems.  Many with first generation mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes, air shocks, and even inverted suspension forks.  Exciting times pushing the use of the latest componentry.


All thru this period my desire to create unique frames and add beyond the norm detailing grew to the point that excessive hours were being spent on each frame without a correlating increase in price.  The result being low earnings and physical burnout.  By mid 1996 I had accepted a contract doing drafting and engineering in the Oil & Gas sector.  Significantly more pay to help with the arrival of my first son and keep the roof over our heads and food on the table, as well as a few more hours of sleep.  None of the equipment was sold and I continued to do frame repairs, modifications, and even build a few frames over the next three decades including my own full suspension designs.  All this equipment dominates the garage which seldomly has seen anything but bicycles in it.


Today having retired from the full time engineering world I am back to pursuing creating frames with a high level of detail and an even higher level of precision.  I have invested in some new jigs, fixtures, and equipment as well as software as well as upgrading some of my old jigs.  3D printing allows me to prototype many things to proof designs prior to spending the time to physically machine the component or fitting.  And I can still build old school stuff too if someone has a need.


Pursuing my passion of creating two wheeled machines is where I am at and what makes my days satisfying.  As well as riding them.  If you desire to own a handcrafted frame, and with possibly some unique details, please consider contacting me to see what can be done.


The Adventure continues......

From the beginning......

Coggs is no new kid.  But the energy is still there and the desire to learn and create is alive more than ever.  Started in 1986 by myself Jeff Shugg and Kevin Coldridge and in search of a name for the business we combined a few letters from each of our last names to come up with something we thought was apropos to cycling.  The Frameworks part was kind of self explanatory but also a bit of a homage to the Skunkworks of the motorcycle world.  Even though Kevin departed a few years later I liked the name and have kept it to this day.


With a background in Welding Engineering Coggs initially did frame repairs and modifications in the Calgary area for individuals and bike shops, and with the help of my brother Keith also paint refinishing.  Eventually taking on warranty repairs for Cycletech, who was the distributor of Fisher and Tech bicycles, a lot was learned about what breaks, how, and what not to do when designing and building a frame.  It was invaluable.


The first frame made in 1988 was a fillet brazed 24" wheeled mountain bike for my 5'-1" girl friend at the time.  It  utilized Tange #1 tubing and a Cannondale fork and Coggs stem.  One unique feature was the rear brake cable ran thru the seat tube and seat post over an aluminum pulley and then to the brakes.  Right out of the gate I was doing some unconventional stuff.


More frames in 1989 including road bikes, and MTB frames utilizing steeply sloped oval top tubes.  One of which was eventually mentioned in the November 1990 issue of Mountain Bike Action magazine.  In the days of no Internet this was a big deal and helped add some credibility.  Things really picked up in the next few years and the business grew to its peak of 3 employees.  By 92 Coggs had an MTB race team and a new logo (still in use today) created by Aaron McConnell.  Yep the same guy in charge of the Trans Rockies racing events.  Peak years of 92-95 saw the production of many types of frames:  Road, triathlon, Softride beam, randonneuring, track, trials, and tandems, Double Softride tandems, and full suspension MTB's & tandems.  Many of these with first generation mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes, air shocks, and even inverted suspension forks.  Exciting times pushing the use of the latest componentry.


All thru this period my desire to create unique frames and add beyond the norm detailing grew to the point that excessive hours were being spent on each frame without a correlating increase in price.  The result being low earnings and physical burnout.  By mid 1996 I had accepted a contract doing drafting and engineering in the Oil & Gas sector.  Significantly more pay to help with the arrival of my first son and keep the roof over our heads and food on the table, as well as a few more hours of sleep.  None of the equipment was sold and I continued to do frame repairs, modifications, and even build a few frames over the next three decades including my own full suspension designs.  All this equipment dominates the garage which seldomly has seen anything but bicycles in it.


Today having retired from the full time engineering world I am back to pursuing creating frames with a high level of detail and an even higher level of precision.  I have invested in some new jigs, fixtures, equipment and software as well as upgrading some of my old jigs.  3D printing allows me to prototype many things to proof designs prior to spending the time to physically machine the component or fitting.  And I can still build old school stuff too if someone has a need.


Pursuing my passion of creating two wheeled machines is where I am at and what makes my days satisfying, as well as riding them.  If you desire to own a handcrafted frame, and with possibly some unique details, please consider contacting me to see what can be done.


The Adventure continues......