SEE VIDEO OF STEVE REX
AT COMSTOCKSMAG.COM
PHOTOS: KEN JAMES, CAPTION: SENA CHRISTIAN
FIT FOR A SPIN
While working in a bike shop in the
early 1980s, Steve Rex was introduced
to custom small-scale bikes. Using his
bachelor’s degree in economics was going
to have to wait — Rex wanted to become
a frame builder. He took machining and
welding courses at Sacramento City
College to learn the trade and made his
first frame in 1987. He opened the Rex
Cycles storefront in Sacramento in 1991,
which he ran until retiring as a shopkeeper
last year. He now makes frames out of his
home workshop. To build a custom bike,
the first step is determining the customer’s
fit specifications. As Rex designs the bike,
he keeps in mind the way it’s going to ride
with the customer on it, then cuts tubes,
welds them together, paints the bike and
installs the parts. Delivering the bike is
especially gratifying. “I like it when people
are happy, and they’re usually happy when
they get their bikes,” Rex says. He plans to
work as a bike builder for another 10 years.
“I’ve worked myself into such a crazy little
niche that it’d be hard for me to do anything
else,” he says. “I’ve worked for myself for
so long. But really, I love bicycles. Bicycles
are a beautiful thing. They’re good for us
personally, they’re good for society, so it’s
what I keep doing.” n
June 2019 | comstocksmag.com
97