ya know guys, it seems the actually mechanics of building a frame are not
that difficult. but there is something beyond just brazing and mitering and
filing etc that is not so easy. most of those on this list have had many
bikes over the years. and we've had our favorites. for me the things that
make a bike my favorite or just the one i grab the most is not the hand work
on the lugs, though that can be very sexy, nor the paint job, though i've
seen some that nearly make me swoon. it's the ride. and if anyone anywhere
anytime could make that kind of ride where the bike nearly disappears. it's
hard to put to words but i know you all know what i mean. if that were so
easy every trek and cannondale and other piece of crap prodution bike would
ride like that. and though i am not a framebuilder, i feel sure it's not
just geometry you can find on the right computer hardware. i was recently
reminded of this quality during my first ride of the richard sachs 'cross
frame i picked up from mike cone. it has that ride. i feel like a better
rider than i am, i feel lighter than i am(now that you could market : ) it
glides along almost effortlessly. of all the frames i've had only a few
really have that ride. and they differ greatly in geometry and tubing. one
had very long stays with room for huge tires, one has steeper angles and
shorter stays. one is a production frame with the tubes just stuck in the bb
shell with no mitering at all. one is thirty years old and one was made this
summer. i have had two rivs, one has that ride, the other was always way to
much work to ride, it felt like a slug under me. they were put together by
different builders. i sold the latter. and then again maybe i am just a
dreamer and this is all crap. just my own experience.
out for a ride on that sachs on a sunny and 65 morning
peace
sarah