Cutlass Velo

It's hard to believe almost a week has gone by since riding some of the most challenging terrain I've explored by bike.

What started out as a short innocuous excursion evolved into a metaphor to life as I have steered Cutlass Velo.

There were several road blocks for various reasons which required having to reset and reevaluate the journey.

One steep climb in particular (Cannon Hill Road), I had lost traction which stopped me dead in my tracks early in the ascent. I took a moment to drink some water and look at a map to see how much further to the reach monument at the top.
It was a greater distance than I was expecting: do I keep going or turn around and head back to camp?

I decided to walk a few yards further to more stable ground with better traction. The first pedal stroke stuck and off I went towards the historical peak that oversees Rowlesburg, WV.

When the trees opened up and the view welcomed my presence, I knew the effort was easily worth it despite the difficulty getting started again.

This ride invigorated me. It reinforced my ability to adapt, overcome, remain patient, and sustain optimism through frustrating circumstances.

Not unlike what it is to operate a business in an industry boiling with uncertainty, declining optimism, belligerent social media culture, a sense of withering interpersonal community due to digital constructs that isolate us... There's a lot to this fast food, fast fashion recipe for disaster.

That's why I'm proud that Cutlass Velo is akin to the high touch, slow food, human connection ethos that keeps me excited to work with you and all of my clients.

Just like on Cannon Hill Road; the rocky ascent is absolutely worth it.

Thanks for being here!

We're entering a beautiful season for road riding.

Cyclocross is emerging; yawning from its slumber. Calendars are being plotted by eager participants.

The local area will soon be resplendent in fall colors.

New projects begin to weave on the loom this time of year.

This is a call to action to get started on these discussions sooner than later. It allows appropriate time to hone and refine the goals we develop together; then it's time to start implementing the ideas. Book time with me to learn what we can make possible together.

What an exciting time of year!

Building Cutlass Velo over the years is a journey to build a temple.

There are countless building blocks. They are different shapes, sizes, colors, and materials.

Some that quickly come mind:

Calm, thoughtful, sometimes amusing, sometimes vulnerable, and intriguing discussions.

Engaged diagnoses and creative problem solving to ensure optimal safety and performance.

Bonding over lived experiences that enrich the process of working together.

Sharing knowledge to create more fulfillment in the pursuit of cycling joy.

It can’t be digitized: it’s right here in the studio between us.

This is a daily practice. There are times I may falter but I am resilient and dedicated to this journey.

I am grateful for the relationships that have been established because of Cutlass. I have people in my life who I admire and adore because of their authenticity.

In a world seemingly going adrift into an artificial landscape it is imperative to choose authenticity. And that’s an easy choice here at Cutlass Velo.

Some bikes just look fast sitting still.

I recently sold this VAN RYSEL RCR-F Pro to a great friend and client. They've been incredibly hard to get but I finally lucked out.

A really killer spec for the price.

I swapped the tires out to Schwalbe Tires Pro One 30s. They have been a favorite of mine this summer.

Sorry to the rest of the dawn patrol (myself included) for the pain you may be enduring in the near future!

Service is through the roof right now.

Lots of excitement for some things in the pipeline.

Stress is elevated but my spirit is on higher ground.

Feeling ready for the weekend.

Intentional placement of it all.

This Campagnolo World Record group had a different target when I originally ordered it for this client.

Then TIME Bicycles released a limited run of rim brake Alpe D'Huez frames. I reached out to my client about this run and the rest is what you see here.

Builds should Invigorate. Inspire. Invoke. Impress.

Choose Cutlass Velo for your next build or to maximize the equipment you already love.

In light of the recent blog post by Velo Orange I figured I should reintroduce myself to those of you who may not be familiar with me or Cutlass Velo.

My name is Tommy Barse. I’m a West Virginia-born, Maryland raised Baltimorean.

I started Cutlass Velo in late 2015 while I was still a full time bike messenger. Cutlass began as a custom wheel build and wheel service business. Sensing demand for a consistent, dedicated mechanic in Baltimore City, I switched to performing service beyond just wheels starting in 2018.

Cutlass is many things to me. It is a quilt; pieced together with many types of fabric and thread based on my lived experience. I treat it as an heirloom because of the many lessons and experiences that have been passed down to me; it is priceless.

The work is the work; there is nothing glamorous about it. It is dirty, it is frustrating, oftentimes it can be confusing (in a philosophical sense) and can even  be disappointing. The flashiness and glitz seen on social media is quite often misleading.
It’s hard work - not always, of course, but while navigating all the intricacies of managing a business, managing expectations, and ensuring client safety and satisfaction, it compounds to being One Hell of a Job.

But I love it.

The relationships. The problem solving. The decisions. They have all contributed to the here and now.

Cutlass is the destination for anyone who wants their bike and equipment to work in harmony with their pursuit of the joy of cycling.
Whether that’s going for a spin around Druid Hill Park, chasing PRs on your regular routes, or chasing the top step of the podium: I am rooting for you.

If you have been on the fence to schedule for service or a custom build: make that commitment. I look forward to welcoming you into Cutlass.

Big thanks to Igor Velo Orange for the great photos.

First week with my Velo Orange Chessie: excerpts from Grinduro and other musings thus far.

We started off on the paved tarmac heading into Lock Haven, PA then we dog-legged over the Mighty Susquehanna, and rode west along the river. In a few miles, we took a right turn onto a quiet road and shortly went left onto a steep gravel climb (Carrier Road) that was roughly 5 miles that averaged something like 4%.

Between the encroaching Canadian wildfire smoke and the morning fog, my efforts to syncopate the two metronomes of my breathing and my pedaling cadence was a challenge. Eventually, a wood thrush was cheering me on as I neared the top of the climb. I become so enthralled by birdsong when I'm riding. I both want to stop and listen but also continue to see what more I can hear during my forward momentum.

The Chessie was floating effortlessly skyward with me. Each pedal stroke went immediately into the tires as they gripped the softened and saturated gravel surface below. The gearing felt perfect, small jumps in the middle and higher gears for steady efforts, larger jumps in the climbing gears that felt like they were designed to match my legs’ rhythm. The only thing that took getting used to was how the front wheel wanted to wander a bit if I was climbing steeper terrain on the tops but it quickly felt confident and capable once I repositioned on the perfectly shaped Ekar GT hoods.

Sneaking over the second crest was where I let the Chessie and Schwalbes take control of the situation. I trust Velo Orange and Schwalbe know what they’re doing. So, I plunged into my intuition in the same fashion that I was careening down Hazard Road. The speed of the descent was exhilarating. The tires screeched and screamed while I hollered for more; the segmented steel fork soaked up the surface variations without hesitation; there was zero shimmy nor a hint of speed wobbles. I wish I had gone faster because nearing 40mph felt like the Chessie was just getting a Costco-like free sample taste for why it was made. But I kept a bit of reservation just in case - me and Chessie are only just getting to know each other’s qualities.

I am proud to call this Velo Orange Chessie mine.

I'll do a proper photo shoot once I have my position dialed and steerer trimmed (if needed).

Thank you dearly to my friends that made this happen. More about this to come.

I'm bummed to see this bike leave Baltimore City.

Years ago I provided guidance to Matt Jørgenson on this custom Rock Lobster build.

I got to work as all the parts and components came in to build a really stellar cyclocross machine.

Being able to guide, build, service bikes for friends and members of the Baltimore CX/racing community is such a privilege and honor.

But Matt did something for me that I really have a hard time putting into words.

He checked in on me some random morning last year to see how I was doing. In that exact moment he reached out I was reeling. Spiraling. Plummeting. Careening into a maelstrom of self loathing and anxiety. I had learned that I potentially missed something important on a client's bike, I was sick on the couch, and I was recovering from a crash two weeks prior.

What came from that conversation was a life vest he had thrown out to me.

That morning changed the course of my life in ways I can't even begin to describe.

But Matt and his amazing wife are moving back West to be with family.

So I got one more opportunity to work on Goldie Jawn (sorry for the name, Matt) and took this photo after the final test ride.

It's only fitting that the Sun shining down on his bike is coming from the East, from where we'll all be sending light your way, Matt.

Thank you for what you've done for us here in Baltimore.