We needed someone really reliable at sending it to be the model for our Loam Pedal Gen 2 shoot. When our Portland-based photographer Dylan VanWeelden said he had a guy, we didn't expect it to be Tom La Marche. You might not have heard of Tom before, but he’s been around the industry shredding on bikes and building frames for quite some time. Fun fact: you can catch a glimpse of him ripping through New York City as the stunt double for Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the 2012 bike messenger action film, Premium Rush. Tom’s approach to building bikes is fun-forward, with impeccable taste for design and aesthetics. You’ll even see some PNW Components on Tom’s bikes at the MADE Bike Show in Portland, OR, this August.
How long have you been frame building for? // Where did you learn to build frames?
Tom La Marche: I started apprenticing to build bikes in 2015 while living in NYC. I worked for 2 Brooklyn based framebuilders (Squarebuilt & Horse Cycles) before moving to Santa Barbara to work for Stinner Frameworks. Eventually, I ended up back on the East Coast and started my own business in 2020. I took some machining courses at a community college and a bike-specific welding course in England to further my education in framebuilding. Currently, I'm located in Portland, OR, and split a workshop with Firsthand Framebuilding. I have traveled the country and world, riding and learning to build bikes, and feel lucky to get to do what I'm passionate about every day.
Why did you build this bike // What do you do with it??
Tom La Marche: I built this frame to be a playful hardtail but also a downhill ripper. I decided to go with a mullet wheelset to get the best of both worlds. I am a BMX kid at heart and love a bike that can be thrown around easily. The front triangle is built with heat-treated Velospec tubing, and the rear end uses my custom dropouts and formed chainstays. All of the fabrication is done by me.
What's your favorite kind of riding these days?
Tom La Marche: My favorite type of riding is probably dirt jump and mountain currently. I love commuting and touring as well.
We heard that you were the stunt double for Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the 2012 movie Premium Rush, is that true?!
Tom La Marche: I worked as a stuntman for 15 years in NYC on a host of TV shows and Movies after Premium Rush. Here are some of the other things I've had the opportunity to work on. I'm pretty terrible at updating it or keeping track of things, but you get the idea.
Where can people buy your bikes // see them in person?
Tom La Marche: People can purchase bikes from my website or by shooting me an email. If you're near Portland, OR you can always stop by the workshop or come to the MADE bike show this August to see some bikes I'll have on display.
La Marche 27.5 / 29" Mullet Hardtail
Fork: Fox 36 -130mm
Stem: Hope TR 35mm
Handlebars: Chromag FU50
Grips: DMR Deathgrip
Dropper Lever: Paul Components
Brakes: Shimano XT 4 Piston
Dropper Post: PNW Loam Gen 1 Dropper Post
Seat Post Clamp: Chris King
Saddle: Chromag Trailmaster
Drivetrain: Shimano XT
Cranks: Hope EVO
Pedals: PNW Loam Gen 2 Pedals
Wheels: Hope Pro5 / Fortus 35
Tires: Maxxis Assegai & Minion DHF 2.5"
Bottle Cage: King Cage