Inspired by life at DeCosse Customs

Sheldon DeCosse has long designed and built great ski and board gear and is now excited to be expanding into something new

1 of 3Highly durable balance bikes are one of DeCosse Customs newest endeavours. — Brendan Mitchell photo

2 of 3Sheldon DeCosse will be continuing to build exceptional board and ski products. — Brendan Mitchell photo

3 of 3With an already busy winter, DeCosse is hoping his balance bikes will fill up summer production time. — Brendan Mitchell photo

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After growing up in Kimberley, B.C., flying planes up north and travelling the world with his original career as a specialized aviation engineer, Sheldon DeCosse is happy to call Cranbrook home and a backyard workshop his office. As a designer, entrepreneur and owner of DeCosse Customs, DeCosse has been building skis and boards at his rural Kootenay property for the last decade or so. Now he’s got a new product in the works—something that he hopes will keep his workshop productive through the summer months.

“I was sitting in my living room, looking at the view, watching my girls play with their plastic, soulless (big-box) toys that grandparents buy, remembering that I used to have Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs,” said DeCosse, remembering his inspiration. “Where did toys lose their soul? These plastic things are pumped out in an injection mould in China and they’re shipped in crates causing harm to the environment and carbon footprints and everything. I thought, ‘Man, there’s got to be a market.’ I like business and I like opportunities and I’m always looking for that thing so I can be home with my babies and not out working.”

DeCosse headed to his workshop and started designing the Maple Rider, a balance bike that would evolve with his twin daughters as they grew. Before they were a year old they were using the three-wheeled version, which converts to two wheels once a child is ready. From that point, the seat has three different settings and the frame itself inverts, meaning a child should still be able to use it at four years of age.

Building a great product

With the bike itself, DeCosse has been careful to create a quality product—one that is actually meant to last. The balance bike is constructed from solid finger-jointed maple—other wooden balance bikes are made from plywood. The frame is coated with a non-toxic finish and, since DeCosse prides himself on promoting local industry, everything is sourced from North America.

The tires proved to be one of the biggest production challenges. DeCosse struggled to build an effective wooden tire that would hold air and to come to terms with using rubber from overseas for competitive pricing. The project looked doomed when the tires would consistently blow up if overfilled. Until, that is, he found an American manufacturer that was making solid, recyclable tires made of polyurethane. The durable product works with the Maple Rider’s wooden wheel and means a safe bike without the hassle of air-filled tires.

The Maple Rider is a testament to DeCosse’s persistence and dedication to building quality products, although there are a few hurdles to cross, yet, with the product. With a goal of attending international toy fairs, DeCosse has to find a steady source of Canadian maple and a way to package his wooden bikes. For now, he’s monitoring interest with local fairs and orders through his DeCosse Customs Facebook page. He’s in too far to quit, DeCosse said.

Life as inspiration

For the moment, DeCosse Customs is amping up for another busy season of serious custom boards and skis for a more adrenalin-filled product. As a kite surfer, skier and snow kiter alongside his wife, DeCosse enjoys building things that are inspired by his own life and passions. Now, as a dad, he’s excited to come up with products that young children, and his daughters, can enjoy as well.

"I did it for my kids, they were my inspiration, but I’d like to have three guys in here and I’d like to put another bay on the back for shipping and receiving that’s two storeys and my design offices can be upstairs,” said DeCosse. “Then product comes in raw and finishes whole. That’s my dream . . . really organic, recyclable, not-hard-on-the-planet awesome products for kids that will help enrich their lives and give their parents a lot of fun as well.”