NAHBS Preview Pt. 5 - Richard Sachs - Frameforum Archive Section

What do you think of when you hear the name Richard Sachs?

Maybe your first thought will be of his expertly built, immaculately presented and universally desired custom frames. Alternatively, it may be the classic red and white livery of the team bikes ridden by Sachs-sponsored racers over the last decade and a half. Or how about the line of Sachs-designed lugs and fittings? Since their introduction, they’ve become as highly regarded for their quality and fine detail as one of his prized frames. Or, for those in the know, thoughts might turn to his tireless work supporting and promoting the cause of the custom framebuilding community over what has been, without doubt, the most difficult decade in its short history. Wherever your thoughts may be rooted, there’s no denying that over the last three decades and more, this human dynamo from Connecticut has been a source of inspiration for hundreds of his framebuilding peers and literally thousands of would-be builders with aspirations of one day constructing their own frame.

Whatever you may think, one thing is for sure; there’ll always be something new just around the corner from Sachs - something you hadn’t seen coming. That’s the nature of Richard Sachs; he never stands still. Always developing new ideas, always exploring new possibilities. Just when you wonder what direction he’ll take next, he’ll surprise you with some cool new addition to an already outstanding portfolio. So, for those fortunate to be standing in front of the Sachs booth at NAHBS, here’s just one of the visual delights that await you.

Taking center stage at this years show will be a new departure for Richard, something as breathtaking as a Signature model frameset and as finely detailed as a Newvex lug. But it’s not a new frame or component design; it’s what you’d least expect. Nevertheless, once viewed you’ll wonder why it hasn’t been done before or how you managed without one. It is in fact, a book.

Yes, making its debut at NAHBS will be Richard’s first publication, a visual delight for anyone with even the slightest interest in custom bicycles. This beautifully designed and printed volume is a pictorial essay of the work of Richard Sachs which is, as he puts it, a way "to capture on ‘film’ and record my 2006 NAHBS experience" plus a way to "present a compendium of my recent work and punctuate almost 35 years in the business of framebuilding". The book also serves as a vehicle to showcase the flair of Greenwich, CT photographer Jeff Weir, a long-time collaborator of Richard’s. Jeff's a guy with years of experience, expertise and passion and never fails to capture the outstanding features and finer points of Sachs' creations.

This book is much, much more than a simple glossy product catalog. In fact, despite Richie being one of the finest writers around when the subject matter turns to handcrafted frames – or any number of subjects for that matter – the book is devoid of any "filler". There’s no extravagant claims as to why a 'Sachs frame was borne of trickle-down spaceshot technology' or how a Sachs frame 'has the greatest co-efficient of power to weight ratio of its class' or any other nonsense of that nature. You won’t find any of the throwaway "info" the big box boys consider a crucial marketing ingredient. None whatsoever.

That's because, apart from model series names for each set of images and contact details and credits on the last page, the book is devoid of text. And this more than anything speaks volumes about Sachs the man, Sachs the framebuilder and the Sachs aesthetic. The book perfectly illustrates a career in framebuilding spanning 35 years, of being on top of his game for the majority of that time and the unparalleled quality of his work. It’s right here for all to see with no need for words to convince the uncertain; the results are evident and the images speak for themselves.

Over the years, Richard has always stuck to what he, through experience and instinct, knows to be right. Each frame he builds or new idea developed carries his own inimitable style, that 'Sachs magic'. Yet Richard has never been one to pander to fashion. Fashions come and go, fashion is merely a commodity. Style, however is something altogether different. Style can't be bought; it comes from within. Fashion is disposable; style is enduring. And style, like its creator, is something this book has in spades – in fact great big mechanical digger spades of it. Even the most ardent wearer of Wal-Mart prêt-a-porter will recognise this book as something special, something altogether different and something that no one who attends NAHBS will want to leave without.

So if you go to NAHBS, make sure that when you leave, a copy of Richard’s "Livre Noir" leaves with you, en route to taking up pride of place on your bookshelf.

**Richard will be exhibiting an all-new range of his state-of-the art, custom built, lugged steel frames. Look out for some exciting new developments! Plus the full range of Sachs lugs, frame fittings and 'Sachs Toys'.
NAHBS 'specials' are available online NOW via his website.