Ok, so there are appox 1500 or so on the list. A lot more that are interested in classic bikes made the classic way. And Bruce has only built a few customs in the last few years? Now, Sachs makes a great point about the cow not giving milk. But, didn't he start milking the cow due to a lack of demand? I think Bruce even threw down a challenge to the list several years ago to put their money where there mouths were. He was even going to throw in a free button :) Last I heard he had no takers.
Everybody talks about marketing of the big manufactures but it's just as important, maybe more important for the small framebuilders since they don't have brand name recognition. Richie is out front because he works hard at it. And, the big plus is he builds bikes and sponsors teams which leads to more visibility and brand recognition.
I know next to nothing about marketing, and I am sure someone on the list can expand on it. Or offer their services to Bruce. I don't even know where I am going with this.
Except to say I agree with Guy Apple. We are living in a time where American frame building and art are at a nexus. What they are building today will be the classics of tomorrow. Not the same way as yesterdays steel is but nonetheless.
I do have a production Rivendell, and Kogswell for that matter... But, I also have a couple of babies on the way. And once I get them I will be looking for another American made custom builder to spend my money on.
So, the challenge is this. If 10 percent of us on the list ordered custom frames tomorrow with the built in wait times I am sure we could keep some of our favorite local builder busy and at the same time save the money to pay for it! Go with the guys under the radar too. You might be surprise!
Mike Wilkinson
Castle Rock, CO