American Classic is emerging as a bicycle industry leader in the wheel and component design arena. We embrace improvement, fearlessly fusing engineering technology, quality and style into our 2010 product line. We are actively shaping the future of the bicycle industry and not sitting still to react to what others do. Bill Shook, the founder and engineer of American Classic leaves the beaten path to seek new and innovative ways to improve bicycle technology with the single-minded purpose of making bicycle sport enjoyable for all who want to ride and race. We remain true to that chosen path. We strive for excellence and pave the way for a successful tomorrow with big picture creative thinking with you, the cyclist, in mind.
Bill started riding at the age of 14. He trained hard and became a champion road and track cyclist, earning a place on the US National Team. While racing, Bill started his design career building his projects in his Dad’s garage. In 1974 he created and fabricated the first large tube aluminum bicycle in the world and raced it all over the country. While racing professionally, Bill strove to find the best equipment, the lightest tires and rims. In the 1970’s in the US, fine equipment was hard to find and that is what sparked the idea of American Classic - a place where Bill could design and distribute high performance components for riders every where. After retiring from a successful racing career, Bill received a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Ohio State University. Now he had the engineering expertise and everything was in place for American Classic to become a reality. The first products were new concepts, the lightweight water bottle cage and the revolutionary lightweight adjustable seatpost. The rest is history.
American Classic now has two facilities including our own testing facility and quality control center and our assembly plant. For 2010, American Classic has a broad variety of unique designs in all disciplines including road, track, triathlon, cyclo-cross, cross country, all mountain, downhill and new handcycling. All this, because Bill couldn’t find the right wheels to race in the 70’s.
Bill started riding at the age of 14. He trained hard and became a champion road and track cyclist, earning a place on the US National Team. While racing, Bill started his design career building his projects in his Dad’s garage. In 1974 he created and fabricated the first large tube aluminum bicycle in the world and raced it all over the country. While racing professionally, Bill strove to find the best equipment, the lightest tires and rims. In the 1970’s in the US, fine equipment was hard to find and that is what sparked the idea of American Classic - a place where Bill could design and distribute high performance components for riders every where. After retiring from a successful racing career, Bill received a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Ohio State University. Now he had the engineering expertise and everything was in place for American Classic to become a reality. The first products were new concepts, the lightweight water bottle cage and the revolutionary lightweight adjustable seatpost. The rest is history.
American Classic now has two facilities including our own testing facility and quality control center and our assembly plant. For 2010, American Classic has a broad variety of unique designs in all disciplines including road, track, triathlon, cyclo-cross, cross country, all mountain, downhill and new handcycling. All this, because Bill couldn’t find the right wheels to race in the 70’s.
It’s a long road from an idea to a quality product suitable for the American Classic brand name. The process requires team work and careful attention to detail. We are self-reliant with our own designs, assembly and quality control system. With input from our staff and the marketplace, Bill Shook spearheads a new project or existing product improvement because he sees the rider’s need and wants to provide a successful solution. Bill describes his designs as "an elegant solution to an engineering question striving for a complete solution that pushes the edge of what is a possibility."
Bill Shook’s design criteria for an American Classic product are first, a product must be functional and durable, then light, strong, aerodynamic and beautiful. There are no gimmicks. All products have Bill’s distinctive look, minimalist, smooth curves, and large diameters. Bill undertakes the arduous task of the design, he performs the mathematical calculations on dimensions and aerodynamics, the stress analysis, 3-D modeling and the decisions made on the metallurgical properties of the materials. When the engineering drawings are complete, the idea becomes a custom-made prototype tested at our in-house test facility, which includes dynamic wheel, hub and seatpost test machines, a scientific microscope to study the metal and more. Bill uses the test data from our facility and input from riders to tweak and finalize designs.
The next phase is manufacturing where the idea becomes a reality. Machine tooling is designed, machines set up, and efficiency reviewed. Raw materials become products. Quality control systems are put in place for checking the product during manufacturing and the assembly process in our plant. Assembly and quality control is performed by valued staff who use state of the art instruments and gauges to check the product according to quality control protocols. Wheels require the special attention. Wheels are built in-house to rigid quality control standards and subject to careful hand finishing and tension gauge checks to ensure durability and trueness. Our staff prides itself on the care, attention and time put into the quality of all American Classic products. It is a team effort to bring the best wheels and components to you.
Bill Shook’s design criteria for an American Classic product are first, a product must be functional and durable, then light, strong, aerodynamic and beautiful. There are no gimmicks. All products have Bill’s distinctive look, minimalist, smooth curves, and large diameters. Bill undertakes the arduous task of the design, he performs the mathematical calculations on dimensions and aerodynamics, the stress analysis, 3-D modeling and the decisions made on the metallurgical properties of the materials. When the engineering drawings are complete, the idea becomes a custom-made prototype tested at our in-house test facility, which includes dynamic wheel, hub and seatpost test machines, a scientific microscope to study the metal and more. Bill uses the test data from our facility and input from riders to tweak and finalize designs.
The next phase is manufacturing where the idea becomes a reality. Machine tooling is designed, machines set up, and efficiency reviewed. Raw materials become products. Quality control systems are put in place for checking the product during manufacturing and the assembly process in our plant. Assembly and quality control is performed by valued staff who use state of the art instruments and gauges to check the product according to quality control protocols. Wheels require the special attention. Wheels are built in-house to rigid quality control standards and subject to careful hand finishing and tension gauge checks to ensure durability and trueness. Our staff prides itself on the care, attention and time put into the quality of all American Classic products. It is a team effort to bring the best wheels and components to you.