The 'Vergine' by Zullo of Italy. Built with Columbus XCr stainless steel tubing
The latest masterpiece from San Diego, California legend Brian Baylis.
A 2006 're-working' of a 1961 Masi, by Californian master Rob Roberson.
Close-up of the Masi 'Clone Project'; stunning from any angle.
Frameforum's 'Bike Of The Year': the minimalist beauty of Fixie Inc's 'Five Star'.
Superb in every detail; nothing is left to the ordinary on Fixie Inc's 'Five Star'.
Frameforum is a site dedicated to the art and craft of the handmade bicycle. It’s about the people who make them; it’s about the people who ride them. Frameforum is the place to be if you’re considering the 'custom alternative' – a bike that gives you everything 'off-the-shelf ' bikes don’t.
It’s about you - not Mr or Ms. Average. A custom bike is more than just a paint job. A custom bike isn't about shaving grams for bragging rights either. It’s about you and your builder considering every aspect of the bike. The process starts with finding the best dimensions, followed by designing and building the frame, then deciding on each and every component part of the bike - your bike.
A bike that's been custom-built for you will fit you better than a stock bike ever could. It can be as individual as you are; it can suit your particular style of riding, your particular needs and be built from a material that suits you ... not the coffee stop crew.
Frameforum is also a great place those who build, or aspire to build, custom bikes. In the forum section, you’ll find members embarking on their first steps in framebuilding as well as some of the greats of the framebuilding game; iconic builders making iconic bikes. If you want to ask questions and get answers on frame building from the folks who actually build them, this is the place.
In short; if handmade bicycles are your thing - whether rider, collector or creator - make Frameforum your first port of call!
Alistair Gow has been a stalwart of the West of Scotland cycling community for more years than he cares to remember (or admit!).
He’s the archetypal ‘clubman’; a tireless worker for his club Glasgow Nightingale CC and a font of knowledge on all things cycling.
Over the years, he’s helped literally hundreds of Scottish cyclists find their feet when they first enter the sport; just read the chapter of Graeme Obree’s autobiography on his formative years in the bike game to find out the part "Big Al" played in Graeme’s transition from 'gringo’' to world beater.
As if that wasn’t enough, he’s also a first-rate wheelbuilder and mechanic.
With his encyclopaedic knowledge of hubs, rim types and spoke lengths, he’s the man Scottish bikies go to when they need ‘real’ wheels. The West of Scotland is hard on riders and hard on equipment. In this age of boutique, factory-built hoops with exotic lacing patterns, he’s as busy now as he ever was. Gram-shaving ‘for racing only’ stuff doesn’t really cut it around here.
Alistair’s talent for building wheels means his small but well-stocked shop, Wheelcraft, in the picture-postcard village of Clachan of Campsie, is a magnet for local riders. Pick up your wheels from Alistair, and he’ll tell you to drop them back for a quick check-over after a few hundred miles. Chances are they’ll need no adjustment, thanks to Alistair’s ability to get it right first time and his good judgement in applying just the right number of turns on the nipples.
For this set of wheels, only one requirement was made – silver rims. Alistair settled on the Ambrosio Evolution for their consistent quality, their resilience, and importantly, the cost of replacement if a rim gets pretzelled. Like I said, the roads round here are hard on equipment and no rim is invulnerable to Scottish pot holes.
If you’re ever close by, pop in and say hello. You’re sure of a warm welcome, a hot coffee or a cold beer. Oh, and a disapproving glance at your boutique wheels.....
Alistair after all, knows best!
News of a great new feature has just arrived from Carol Johnson, organiser of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN BICYCLE SHOW.
This years' RMBS will now feature aBUILDER'S DÉBUTsection; an opportunity for neophyte builders to announce their presence to the world, show a couple of examples of their work, and rub shoulders with some of the best framebuilders in the world!
Not only that, in keeping with the altruistic nature of the RMBS (all show profits go to local cycling-based charities) booth space costs are kept to a minimum, making the taking part in a major exhibition something within easy reach of the start-up or part-time framebuilder .
Said Carol:
“We're hoping we can provide the stepping-stone many new builders need if they are going to get themselves and their work noticed.
Builder's Début provides them with this opportunity at a reasonable cost; its an excellent way to for them stick their heads above the parapet and announce their presence to the world.”
At a time when others are telling everyone to 'go big or go home', this is a fine gesture on the part of the RMBS. It marks a refreshing return to the days when it was all about framebuilding and not all about profit.
BUILDER'S DÉBUT represents the perfect opportunity for any fledgling builder to get their face and their work in the frame; a chance for a start-up brand to get noticed and moreover, to feel part of the framebuilding community.
With guaranteed coverage of the show from presenting Sponsors of the event, Bicycling - the World's Biggest Bike Mag - the possibilities of gaining a foothold in the burgeoning US framebuilding scene are very real.
So, if you fancy the chance to take along some cool frames, stand alongside some cool names - and hopefully get yourself some well-earned media exposure - this is it!
Grab your space now. Check out the RMBS website or make that call to Carol. You won't regret it!
