Fulfilled one of my bucket list items and made my own bike frame. I completed the frame building 101 course at the Stayer workshop over in Leytonstone. The process involved working out what kind of bike I was making, getting a bike fit to make sure the dimensions I was anticipating were correct, a design meeting with Sam to confirm the BikeCAD measurements and then a week of sizing, filing and brazing.
During Covid I turned 2 rusty old mountain bikes into one new retro bike. I had planned to try a home respray, but the time taken to strip down the bikes, merge them into one and source the parts needed meant that just getting the rebuild done became the goal. It felt like a half completed project. A chance encounter with the Stayer folk at Bespoked and seeing one of their customers bikes from the 101 course and I was putting a deposit down.
Photos from the week are below as a reminder to myself of the process. Work in progress notes are in the captions of the flickr album (68 photos). If doing research around what I wanted to build was part 1, this is very much part 2. Next I will be entering into part 3, prepping for coating the frame (I am going for clear coat) and sourcing all the parts to build the bike.
Big thanks to Sam and Willow at Stayer for making the week a perfect balance of relaxed and getting things done. They are both really impressive instructors and would recommend them in an instant. The week flew past way to quick and was great to meet fellow builders Matt, Doug and Andy.
Stayer Workshop - home for the week. Sam makes a great cup of coffee using beans from Perky Blinders roasters across the way.
Lots of measure twice, cut once.
Practice brazing first.
First bit of brazing on the real thing - BB first.
Pretty happy with the brazing.
Brazing complete.
Willow TIG Welding the rear drop outs.
Looking at links.duncanwilson.com, these parts of the internet crossed my path this week:
- Growtac mechanical brakes - looks like I was mainly looking at bike stuff!