[Forum Team]

Following on from our first NAHBS preview, we now shift focus to another custom builder fast gaining a following thanks to his superb attention to detail and a rapidly developing individual approach.

Moyer Cycles, the one-man frame shop set up by Whitney Moyer and based in Austin, Texas has an appreciative audience and growing client list despite his relatively recent arrival on the custom framebuilding scene. This will be his first visit to NAHBS, either as exhibitor or spectator.

His interest in the construction of frames came about by accident, or rather the failure, of an Italian-built frame he was riding. Examining the separation of the down tube from lower head lug, Whitney though to himself "I should be able to fix this…" No problem for a US Navy nuclear power plant technician - especially when you have "an affinity for fixing things" and a "geek-instinct" for finding out how things work! Some in-depth study of frames ridden by friends furthered his interest in how they were constructed, and the materials used.

However, the defining moment for him came during an architecture lecture that was part of an engineering studies degree plan. As Whitney recounts:

"One lecture's topic was 'Beauty and Craft'. The professor (Larry Speck) argued that craft was behind the things that we find beautiful - well crafted equations in math, well crafted couplets in poetry, well crafted legal arguments in the law, etc.

My concept of 'craft' at the time was very limited. I think the general public gets pictures of wood furniture and Martha Stewart when they hear the word 'craft'. My definition of 'craft' broadened that day to 'passion-backed skill in any vocation'.

Then he went on to ask: What's involved in craft? What are the fundamental elements to making beautiful things?

He outlined three things that are required to make something beautiful:

Economy - lean, to the point, not a lot of excess.

Complexity - it has to be richer than a straight line/blank canvas.

Potency - it has to make a difference.

While he was explaining each guideline - I was thinking how each of them applies to bicycle frames"

From that point on, Whitney knew where he was going – into full-time building.

"Ever since that day, I've known that I wanted to build bike frames. Everything I've done since then has been a step towards making this a full-time, money-making, gig - UBI's framebuilding course, the acquisition of equipment, quitting a four-year college degree to attend welding classes, getting frames on the road, etc." says Whitney.

Since then, his educational endeavors have been driven by his desire to further his metalworking technique and welding skills. After attending UBI, he enrolled on a degree course at a local community college with a reputation of having one of the best welding education departments in the US – as well as taking courses in jewelry manufacture and CAD.

Moyer works in titanium and steel. He’ll construct his steel frames using lugs, TIG or fillets. Whilst he’s happy to work with any technique or material, like many other builders, using lugs gives him that extra dimension to showcase his detailing skills. Highly polished stainless lugs, dropouts and fittings adorn his frames. Hand-cut ‘M’ logos act as a signatures and are soldered on head tubes, fork crowns and seat stay caps. By demonstrating restraint in the amount of polished surfaces he employs, Moyer manages to impart an understated elegance to his frames – there’s nothing brash or ‘bling’ in his work.

There’s a difference between someone who simply puts frames together as a job and someone who puts their heart and soul into every frame they build. Part of that difference may be visible in the fine lines and contours of the lugs, or on the surface table, but perhaps the biggest difference stems from the passion the builder has for his craft. It’s not something seen or quantifiable, but for most end-users, it’s something that clearly exists in a custom-built frame.

For Whitney, framebuilding has become an all-consuming passion. It’s that passion that drives him on his quest to be considered a master of his craft - a passion shared by leading lights of the custom framebuilding scene, past and present.

Don’t go to NAHBS without stopping by Whitney's stand to see for yourself why Moyer frames are creating such a buzz. He’ll be exhibiting a full range of models along with some new, decidedly different and original prototype designs!

Moyer Cycles Webpage

Moyer photography
and web design by
Kenneth Alan/Winteristoofar

Moyer 'Newvex Track' paint by
Gordon Lechner/Bikedelic

Moyer 'Elise' road frame paint by
Keith Anderson Cycles


More later....