I thought this an interesting question. I have mixed emotions about this.
There are but a dozen or so builders turning out great lugged frames in the U.S. It is a concern of mine that once this group retires or leaves the biz there would not necessarily be builders who replace them. Framebuilding is alive and well in the states but I have noticed that many of the newest builders specialize in TIG welding and although they have an appreciation for lugged bikes have no intention of learning the trade or doing it for their own satisfaction.
It is hard for the experienced ones to impart their knowledge because of the time involved in teaching a student. The concept of apprentices is an anachronism. There are but a few places one can go to work and get paid and make lugged frames anymore.
I don't know if I am the youngest in this group. Probably close and I have learned what I know so far a little differently than Brian, Richard and the others. When I first started there were no places to go work for, asking one of these guys to teach me with no prior experience would not have gone over well. Jeez, to be honest I hadn't even seen a lot of lugged frame being it was the early nineties and they were already going away then. So I attended United Bicycle Institute. This is the main educational avenue right now. I took a two week class. What that gave me was a quick introduction into what I would need and the general process.
I think the thing going for me is my prior silversmithing experience. The fancy stuff, which is usually the hard part for most is the easiest for me. The actual construction process was the hard part. I really wished I had a mentor for this so I would not have made so many experiments as I like to put it. I have to say that everyone is fairly open about how to do things and I have gotten invaluable information from many on this list and I thank them for that. Sometimes with certain things I am a little tight lipped, but if someone really wants to know and shows a propensity for it I will tell them.
I think there will always be a few classic builders. If there is a will there is a way.
Sincerely,
David Bohm ----- Original Message ----- From: Dennis To: Classics Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2002 8:52 AM Subject: [CR]Frame building skills
With all the frame builders out there turning out beautifully constructed lugged frames, what (if anything) are they doing to pass on their trade? It would be a shame to loose all that knowledge when they "expire".
Dennis Stover
Arleta, CA
http://home.ix.netcom.com/
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