Inside Land Shark Bicycles: John Slawta

Who is Land Shark Bicycles?
"The story of Land Shark bicycles is inseparable from that of its founder, John Slawta. Slawta’s early ambition was to become a professional artist. He received a scholarship from the Pasadena School of Art and Design, but got sidetracked by his hobby-building bicycle frames in his parents’ backyard tool shed. His frames attracted a cult following among cyclists who admired his precisely brazed frame joints and exotic paint jobs. He named his bike frames after the protagonist in an old “Saturday Night Live” skit that played off the “Jaws” movies." - landsharkbicycles.com
"Building bikes became serious business for Slawta and Land Shark in 1986 when he was asked to build several for a group of professional riders, including Andy Hampsten, Roy Knickman and Steve Hegg. Slawta responded by building what became some of the most sought-after bike frames available. A 1988 letter from Andy Hampsten, then riding in Belgium on one of Slawta’s bicycles, hangs on the wall in John’s Land Shark fabrication shop. “Thanks for the bitchin’ bike,” says Hampsten, who went on to win the Giro d’Italia riding his Land Shark."
In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew visits John Slawta at Land Shark Bicycles HQ in Oregon, for an inside look at John's operation. John covers his story, how he builds his bikes (carbon only nowadays), and all manner of interesting fun and quirky facts. A huge thank you to John for his time, so stoked to meet this absolute legend of frame building!
Continued from Above:
"Word spread from professionals, fanatical amateurs to weekend warriors, celebrities, and the rest of the cycling world. Clients include actors Harrison Ford, Woody Harrelson, Michael Nouri, Olympic volleyball great Karch Kiraly, ex-Laker Billy Thompson, former SF 49er Dwight Clark, and the list goes on."
As Land Shark grew, John moved his shop from Los Angeles, California to Medford, Oregon in 1991, and continues building every Land Shark frame himself. Many are surprised to find that Land Shark is something like an army of one. “They ask me if I’ll tell the painter how to paint it, ” chuckles John, “and I tell them that I’m the painter, too.” Riders appreciate being able to talk directly to the man who’s building their dream machine. “You tell him what you’re looking for,” says Land Shark owner Glen Gann, “and he knows what to do.”
Links of Interest:
Land Shark Bicycles - landsharkbicycles.com
Land Shark Bicycles Instagram - / landsharkbicycles
2023 Shasta Gravel Hugger: Snow four years in a row?! - wp.me/p4V4se-gaf
Gravel Bike Tyre Pressure Guidelines - wp.me/p4V4se-6m3
Tailwind Nutrition (JOM's choice of on-the-bike hydration) - bit.ly/3eVogDT
Gravel Cyclist's Route Library - www.gravelcyclist.com/gravel-...
Amazon Affiliation Link:
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[@mikesrcgarage]

John is an amazing guy! I had the privilege of growing up near him and being taught to fly RC planes at a very young age by him. Epic memories, good times!

[@jasonurroz570]

Were you flying these planes in Sylmar?

[@mjfromla]

He painted my Cannondale in the 80's when he was in Downtown LA. Good guy, glad he's still around and doing well.

[@GravelCyclist]

Absolute legend.

[@JonFairhurst]

You are (or were) in my neck of the woods! I hope you had a chance to visit Flywheel Bicycles in Talent, OR. They’ve built up a number of John’s bikes over the years. Flywheel burned to the ground in the Almeda Fire in 2020 and just reopened in late 2022. Not only do they have bikes and service, they also have eight or so microbrews on tap with a food truck get together every Wednesday night. It’s the heart of the local cycling community in Southern Oregon.

[@GravelCyclist]

Very bummed to miss visiting this shop. I was on a tight time crunch visiting for the Shasta Gravel Hugger; Land Shark and my visit to Desalvo Cycles were nice bonuses.

[@Mosely2007]

Awesome video . A real craftsman. Beautiful bikes . after 8 broken carbon frames, none in a crash I went back to a Ritchey Road Logic steel. I'll never trust carbon again. Everything broke. Cool to see his process

[@roadglide]

These guys are absolute Masters of their craft. Legends of our time. I remember these beauties in the 80’s. Still one-off, rare and great to know still sustaining as an income. No better way to make a living and life for one self than you calling the shots. Nice reporting work JOM. Your work is also setting the bar in many ways. You go the distance to bring relevant interesting all roads Cycling content. Thank you.

[@hansschotterradler3772]

I like the way he comes up with solutions, ingenious!

[@gravelhugger7250]

A true artist and always ready to help take racers to the next level! We are lucky to have John in the local cycling community!

[@gravelhugger7250]

…oh, and I love the old sector signs in the background 😉

[@GravelCyclist]

There's a chance this Gravel Hugger guy could be biased, haha! :)

[@mancello]

Interesting character. The repurposing of items for other functions shows his engineering chops. Nice tour.

[@richbob594]

You can spot a Landshark by the paint job 40yards away. Nobody paints like John

[@ecodeacon1]

A master frame builder for sure! SMELL THE BACON

[@billyblaze700x9]

Please go check out the gunnar/waterford factory!!!

[@GravelCyclist]

If some of the viewers would like to contribute to my travel fund, anything is possible!

[@-Stop-it]

3:30 - 7000! Bikes?

[@-Stop-it]

I’m sad that he is done building steel. I have a ‘93 vintage Roadshark, Reynolds 653 OS with a carbon fork.

[@GravelCyclist]

Do not ever sell that bike.