Jeff Etessam's KirkLee ready for ancillary parts
I get lots of letters of appreciation from folks who like the fact that I buck the status quo and think outside the box. Here is an email plus a testimonial I received today from my friend Jeff Etessam in Dallas. Thanks Jeff!
Kevin,
Second ride this morning was just as good as the first. I wrote a few words about my experience but written words cannot convey the absolute satisfaction and enthusiasm I have for working with you.
Feel free to use any part of my written comments and / or give my email address and /or phone number to ANYONE wanting a positive reference.
Thanks is not sufficient, but …
Jeff Etessam
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I write this at the end of August 2009. My interaction with Kevin Saunders and KGS bikes began in November 2008. I contacted Kevin about a fitting appointment on my fairly new Brand X bike that I had purchased from my local bike shop, a good shop that I really like doing business with. I arranged a fitting appointment with Kevin and through every phone or email contact before the actual fitting appointment, I could tell Kevin was genuinely interested in my improvement and success, and was the poster child for “customer service.”
I first met Kevin in person in early December 2008. I was a little concerned about the result of spending a fairly sizeable amount of money for a bike fitting with Kevin. I feel as if I work hard for my money and I don’t’ have a large disposable income sitting around, so I was hoping for some drastic results. My issues were pain in my upper shoulder and neck and my hands falling asleep. I have a background in power lifting and held a World Championship Title in my weight class in my younger years. I feel as if I understand the advantages of having your equipment work to its fullest potential and not “be in the way” or be the limiting factor in performance.
As the fitting began, I realized completely, that Kevin really does care about his clients, even those like me who weren’t spending five figures on a full custom bike. Several adjustments were made and the “fit” was better, but I KNEW deep down it was not and could not be perfect. I had ridden the “perfect” bike during the fitting, and could immediately tell an increase in power and comfort and the lack of pain while riding the set up bike set to the perfect dimensions for MY body. With the adjustments made to my current bike I went on my way and continued riding for several months.
Over the next few months as I ride the pain in my neck and shoulders was delayed in on set, not presenting itself on rides under thirty or thirty five miles. My problem was that I LIKED riding further than thirty miles. I tolerated several painful long rides, and the thought of riding the “perfect” bike never left my mind. The thought was so much in my mind that I have begun to put money away each month to save up for a custom frame in MY perfect size. I had a basis for comparison, and there was none, from my current bike with all possible changes made to the fit of the perfectly sized frame for my body and riding style. Further, I could not reach the power output numbers on my bike that I had seen for my self on the KGS fitting bike. I knew that equipment was limiting my potential.
I early June I contacted Kevin again and asked about the process for ordering a custom frame. Kevin presented me with several options on frame maker, level of completion of the project and component selection. We agreed on a second fitting appointment to verify the dimensions from the initial fitting some six months earlier. The results were one measurement had changed from the initial fitting to the second fitting… by one millimeter!!!
In July 2009 I commissioned the building of a full custom frame through one of the frame builders that Kevin recommends. I knew he would only align himself with the best, most professional and state of the art builders, so I trusted his recommendation. I was continually updated on the progress of the frame, the status of components that Kevin was supplying and the projected date of delivery. I was involved in paint color and graphics selection in order to personalize MY bike to MY liking.
I took delivery of the partially assembled frame and had the other components installed at a shop I use in Dallas. Kevin was more than happy to assemble the critical dimension components, bars, saddle set back and height and leave the rest to another shop. While I was waiting on my new frame to arrive, I sold my previous bike and rode my mountain bike. I was off a road bike for seven weeks. The first ride on my new bike from KGS was simply amazing. I rode a regular route for me, so I could compare the previous bike to the one from KGS. Again, there was no comparison. My power (watts) was up, heart rate was down and I felt no pain or fatigue as I had previously. In short, I am now absolutely efficient. Yes it’s THAT good.
The question I get asked a lot is “how could you spend so much on a bike?” My answer is how could I afford not to? I am now able to ride longer, further and with less fatigue, which improves MY health.
So why did I decide to go through the process of fitting and having an ultra high-end completely custom bicycle built? Simply put, because I am worth it. Deep down you KNOW you are worth it too.
Jeff Etessam
Dallas, Texas
