2023 has begun with a few exciting projects. Some were finished, quite a few are work in progress at different stages. Beginning with this year I would like to share more of what’s happening in the workshop. The plan is to have a little update once per month. I realise that I’m already running a bit late for January :). With all the projects going on, I have not been as diligent in the past year to post regular updates on social media. I find it harder and harder to keep up. So I will focus to keep my site up to date as much as possible.
Here is only for those of you who care, at my own speed. Perhaps you will find inspiration for your upcoming frame building course or future bespoke bicycle, or you can enjoy just following the progress of this little bicycle business.
Framebuilding courses
2023 kicked off with 3 interesting projects: Romains modern randonneur and Geoffray’s fixie frame built during the group course. David’s super versatile do-it-all frame built during an individual course.
Geoffray’s fixie will be one of a kind. Built almost entirely from Columbus Max tubes (frame and fork), the ensemble is very light. A premiere is the rear triangle built with two pairs of Columbus Max chain stays. Geoffray put a lot of effort into the finishing and I’m sure the bike, once built up, will be a head turner.
#182 Geoffray’s Max Fixie
Romain decided to go for versatile bike, going with the spirit of his good old Crust Bombora, just a little lighter to better adapt to long distance racing. We build the frame and fork for flat-mount brakes. For the fork this is always a little tricky, especially on bent fork blades, and I usually have to help out a little bit.
#183 Romain’s modern randonneur
David had a long list of requirements and ideas, so we went for the individual course to have the time to discuss all options in detail. The list of ideas went from Omnium Mini like bike, to Porteur with cargo fork, or do-it-all gravel travel bike. The latter was the winner. A frame with Paragon Machine Works Rocker dropouts to allow single speed of internal geared hub set up as well as chain transmissions. The geometry adapted to fit well for a Jones H Bar but also a gravel drop bar with short reach and a shorter stem, to really leave all the options. There is room for bigger tires and bosses to attach all kinds of luggage racks making it the ideal versatile frame.
#184 David’s versatile do-it-all bike
Heading to paint.
In January I was also able to finish these two beauties that are now in the hands of M-Level to get painted. These frames will be built up almost identically for two friends coming from the Pas-de-Calais who can’t wait to ride the first brevets with them and confirming their spots for this year’s Paris-Brest-Paris. Finest components from White Industries are waiting. The final build will be complete with lights and chargers on 700x28c wheels and a Sram Force transmission. Stay tuned for the finished bikes.
Fully assembled
Arnaud came by to pick up his ride for which he built the frame during the course in October last year. He left the frame with me to take care of the paint (an option I offer to all the participants of the course) and decided to let me take care of the assembly as well. Arnaud only built the frame at the time and used the 5th day of the course to focus on the finishing, deciding to go with a Rodeolabs Spork 3.0 carbon fork.
Here are Arnaud’s words after the first weekend ride in Bretagne “Il est top top top !!!”
A lucky find
I was able to get my hands on Columbus Max lug sets. Not just one, no, five complete sets were hidden in the old stock of Cycle Preuss, a former frame builder of the region, who is going into retirement and therefore closing shop. He was kind enough to pass on these treasures along with plenty of tubes and machinery.
I can’t wait to convert these lugs into classy frames one day.
Columbus Max lug set to fit the famous bi-oval tubes ridden by the big guys like Eddy Merckx
Next month
February will continue with super interesting projects during the frame building courses and a few more LaFraise should be ready to hit the road as well. More about this in the next update, which you will not miss if you sign up to the corresponding newsletter via the form below.
