Dennis,
Very nicely done. Many do not realize that one of the most important things about making a "custom" frame is building the frame the customer wants as opposed to "what they offer" as a builder. Each method is acceptable and each customer must select what suits them best. My standard reply to the question of "what are my options" is "I won't build you something that will not work; beyond that it's a matter of how much you want to spend". When I feel like building something that no one is likely to order (like a full chrome replica track bike) I'll take the hit and make it for myself. That way I don't feel the urge to steer someone into having me make them something that I want. Besides, then I get to keep it. Actually, the reason I often make frames for myself is to experiment and learn. It's part of what keeps my interest fresh after 30 years of framebuilding. I also find my collection of vintage bikes teach me things as I ride them that are of value, even after all this time.
I've been riding on Sundays on the "JB" ride here in San Diego as often as I can lately, which is heavily populated with Ti bikes and all of the latest "FAST" stuff. How light your bike is, is a common topic at the coffee shop in Alpine (second only to conversation about the girl at the counter; I'm going to have to get her name this week so I can refer to her properly, I'm pretty sure [Sugar Britches or Babycakes] isn't her actual name). I handed my intentionally heavy Brooks saddle equipt triple crankset outfitted bike to one of the guys and it nearly pulled his arms out of the sockets. He commented that I could probably put together a 13 lb. bike. HUMMMMM? Well someday I'll just have to make a "compact" style 48cm frame on 650C wheels with "bikini lugs" and superlight OS tubing. A few weight saving handmade "microdropouts" and whatnot and with the components these guys have today, I'll bet I will have at most a 15 lb. machine. Interesting experiment for the future.
Thanks again for sharing.
Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA Does riding a REALLY light bike make the girl at the coffee shop look better? The answer is YES, if you get there sooner!
Thanks for sharing your insight with us.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
>
> Hi Brian,
>
> I had a bit of a struggle with my post. I hope that my assertions are fair
> to your initial thoughts on the matter.
>
> > The only way to accomplish the ultimate frame is to meld the rider to
> > the design through the experience of the framebuilder. The more
> > knowledge of different frames, the more experiences one has, the better
> > equipt they are to build frames that are an extention of the owner of
> > the bike as opposed to an extention of the framebuilders own
> > preferences
>
> The above taken in part from Brian's earlier post.
>
> I want to suggest that a artisan who has reached the point of Brian's
> conclusions, has taken a major step toward achieving the ultimate creations
> within the context of operating a 'service' business. It is generally not
> the inexperienced craftsman who can step outside himself to initate a
> process to make something to more than satisfy the needs of the customer,
> while at some LATER point bringing the project to full circle by finding and
> pleasing himself as well. More often the approach is that I will formulate
> what I want to suit you, as opposed to the motivation of creating what a
> specific, perhaps even slightly eccentric customer needs, and then trying to
> work in the subserviant qualities or details (let's say that good
> workmanship is a given) to suit the maker as well. This may require talent,
> but it surely necessitates study, and open mindedness, and not being afraid
> to subject yourself to the scrutiny of individuals, perhaps former
> customers, who will tend to categorize your work from earlier frames of
> reference, and within the almost unavoidable context of their own likes and
> dislikes. How many artisans have been confronted by good intentioned people
> who will say, "I liked it better when you did it that way, or used those
> materials, but this new stuff you are doing, why?" Simply saying I was
> getting bored doesn't cut the mustard, you have to be philosophical about
> it, and try and explain how this new type is for a customer with different
> requirements or preferences from ones previous. A real p in the b. Unless
> your reputation is enhanced by being known as a 'kookie' artist, it is
> better not to say that I feel the need for a 'walk about', and have taken my
> tools with me. The point is that, and I take the liberty of drawing a
> hopefully correct inference from Brian's expression and expanding upon it,
> good or great craftsmen sometimes need to explore change, and learn to see
> things differently, grow, maybe even sometimes this to get back to the same
> place they were once before. If you can keep the customer happy and
> satisfied while undertaking this process, it is a excellent yardstick for
> level of stature and capability, and not least of which a path that will
> help to keep one in business. Oddly, you can risk losing a few customers
> along the way when you strive for greater range. Might some people wish to
> choose a classicly oriented frame builder for reasons that he doesn't do
> certain things, not just because he does do certain things. This in the
> same way a piece of plywood might be frowned upon in the shop of a
> woodworker known for working in solid timbers. I offer that if within the
> philosophy of approach is maintained the desire for product improvement, or
> even the more elusive self improvement, that also brings with it a mostly
> impartial quality of restraint. This goes a long way toward keeping the
> flame burning, or possibly even enables you to start a new flame where there
> was no heat before.
>
> Dennis Young
> a rare day off in Hotaka, Japan