Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Chris Chance Cycles

Chris Chance Custom Road

Chris Chance is a bastion of the American old guard of custom frame building. He started building road frames in 1977, and his mountain bike frame, The Fat Chance, in 1982. Pre-MTB road frames are highly desirable to collectors of American rolling steel, and Mac Spikes is one such enthusiast. So far his collection consists of a 1987 Fat Chance Tandem, a 1985 Fat Chance kicker MTB, a rare pista frame and several Chris Chance road bikes, including this one, a custom frame from 1997.

With a paint job colorful enough to rival Italian steeds of the era, it’s a singular example of Chris Chance’s enigmatic work. Mac has built it up with a Campagnolo Athena gruppo, and while the limited edition ‘Contador’ LOOK Keo pedals aren’t period correct, the yellow is a perfect match. Sometimes that’s just as important. Check out Mac’s collection on his Flickr.

Chris Chance Custom Road
Chris Chance Custom Road
Chris Chance Custom Road
Chris Chance Custom Road
Chris Chance Custom Road