Re: [CR]"Art Builder" frames

(Example: Books)

Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 19:23:39 GMT
To: richardsachs@juno.com
Subject: Re: [CR]"Art Builder" frames
From: <brianbaylis@juno.com>
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

Richie,

I've been trying to follow this thread and keep pace with the developments, but have been really busy trying to keep stuff moving here. I have to take acception to parts of your explaination about where the "extra" time goes. I understand your perspective, but in some places I heartily disagree with your approach to the questions. Sticking strictly to framebuilding, and leaving out pianos, watches, and all else for the answers to the questions asked, will be the easiest to understand. I will cite examples of a few points relevent to doing woodwork, for example; but the questions require exact answers that pertain directly to the questions about framebuilding. I believe the distinction between "made to measure" and "Custom" frames is quite clear regarding framebuilding. No need to redefine any terms or create new ones. The explaination goes FAR FAR beyond lugs and how they are finished, just like you say. Therefore, a complete explaination of what the differences are will require discussion of ALL of it. A daunting task. But neccessary apparently, because the "obvious" differences that I see are not what most people are aware of. I shall fix that.

As much discussion as the economics of framebuilding has been discussed, few are getting the perspective that I believe is most accurate for ME and MY situation. I am unique, my business is unique, and my thinking, beliefs, and approach are unique. I shall explain the economic part of my point of view also; but it has NOTHING to do with supply and demand, my prices, nor relling of my frames to someone else in line. Like Charles said, that is all irrelevent here.

So let me get some real work done. Let me take my time, since it is now the same question and explaination I must give to the same question on both lists. The answer is exactly the same for both.

Brian Baylis La Mesa, CA Nose to the grindstone. OUCH, that hurts! Maybe I should try my tongue instead.


-- Richard M Sachs wrote:


snipped from post below: "I was wondering, in more detail, what defines an "art builder" or more specificially, where does the extra 40 to 60 hours or labor go?..."

i think in the context of bicycle frames as noted here, it (time) goes in

to the exterior workmanship rather than the construction and/or design. there seems to be a resurgance in lug cutting and reworking thanks to kirk pacenti's new products. after several decades, builder once again have a canvass to work with. seperately, heaping it on (pardon my slang) to the "finish work" of a frame is only part of the equation - and the other part(s) often are not discussed: does the frame have a rational geometry? is the rider properly placed above and between the wheels? will the thing roll downhill at 58mph? is it just a pretty face? the bounderies for these issues are betwen the builder and the client. personally, i wish there was more connection between all these elements just to ensure that the thing "works"; no sense getting wet and stickey over 200 fleur de lis' if the rear wheel doesn't fit! if any of you know about art case pianos, you'd expect that the shmaltzy, garrish looking thing in the parlor sounded exquisite and would last six lifetimes. http://www.steinway.com/steinway/artcase_collection.shtml if only these "art builder" made frames could come with the kind of unseen construction and design features that are part and parcel of the bad boys on this link. e-RICHIE chester, ct

---------------------------- the post: Stratton Hammon <strattonh@insightbb.com> writes: Hi All (and Brian),

I was wondering, in more detail, what defines an "art builder" or more specificially, where does the extra 40 to 60 hours or labor go? Are you talking about a bicycle that has hand carved lugs and unusual bends to the tubes? Is it a bicycle that is completely hand mitered?

Which bicycle builders, past and present, have put that much labor into their frames? Obviously, Columbine would fall into that category. Who else? What about Rivendell? Rene Herse? Holdsworth? Rotrax? How much time was spent producing the frames at the Carlsbad/Masi shop? http://columbinecycle.com/photo_gallery.html

On a different subject. I think the reason custom builders in England are cheaper than the US is that there are still thousands of old custom bicycles floating around the place--left over from the glory days of English cycling in the '50s and '60s. Back in those days, there were lots of young people who had fancy racing frames. Those bicycles were transportation as well as a hobby. Then cars became cheap with the introduction of the Morris Minor and Mini, and very quickly, the bicycle market collapsed. The modern, custom builders in England can't charge thousands for fancy lugged steel frames when you can find an older, decent Hetchins, Holdsworth, Claud Butler, etc. for much less. Most of the market today for racing bicycles in England is for the same thing that is selling over here: carbon Treks, aluminum (aluminium) Cannondales, and Ti. Litespeeds. Rivendell could not be located in England if they only sold their top-end, fancy lugged bicycles! They would be too expensive.

Some amazing stuff comes out of Brian's garage.

Later,
Stratton Hammon
Lousiville, Kentucky, USA