Builder Profile: Greg Heath | Donkelope
October 2, 2008
Greg Heath, the man behind Donkelope Bikes in Bellingham, WA, is one of about 40 bicycle builders who will be at Oregon Manifest, the hanbuilt bike show extravaganza October 10-12th in Portland. Including the builders, there will be 65+ overall exhibitors at this goin'-down-in-the-history-books affair. So who are these hardworking builders with amazing attention to the finest of details? We're starting with Greg and offering you an intimate look into the lives of frambuilders.
Greg Heath believes that "the world needs to know the passion and of course hard work behind each frame built. The fact that the frame is built with one person in mind. It will be an extension of the person. Whether it be speed or style."
Greg's background as a BMXer led him to create bikes that can handle abuse and he wants people to ride his bikes hard. His Donkelope bikes are not your average bike, or donkey. Greg doesn't want you to tread lightly and treat these as pristine riding machines; they're built strong for tough, hard riding.
There's a moment in the building process right before the heat gets put on the metal. This brief time, "when everything is all fit up nice," Greg says, holds a special magic for him.
Greg races, he rides, he has built about 35 bikes, chocolate keeps him going and he loves his border collie, Rastus.
DONKELOPE WISDOM: Life is way better sitting on a bike. You can go where you want, when you want.
Look for Greg at Oregon Manifest where, he says, he'll be chilling and enjoying the laid back atmosphere among hoards of people who love bikes.
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Posted by orbike at October 2, 2008 7:48 PM
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Comments
Sweet. I can never be gentle or keep my bike so clean. I like your style. I'm still trying to get a sub for work so I can come up (from Eugene) for this event. It's looking pretty sweet.
Posted by: Jamie Park at October 2, 2008 8:57 PM
I'm still riding donkey #3, Greg built it about six or seven years ago. It's a 21" top tube bmx frame, tough as nails! Thanks Greg.
Posted by: john powers at October 3, 2008 6:26 AM
a buddy of mine rides a donkelope and i've had my eye on that bike. looking forward to the manifest and eye candy and hot bikes.
Posted by: jdridesfast at October 6, 2008 8:58 PM
Met this guy at the show. Cool guy. Even cooler bikes. Thanks for the in-depth.
Posted by: DanThMan at October 15, 2008 2:23 AM