To: Brian Baylis and CR members What I like about steel frames like most KOF produce are that they are all variations on a design theme started when 1900's and any improvement is minor but normally wonderful to behold. In architecture you seldom get the same design twice so to evaluate it is a matter of deciding on a one time design. Were in bicycle frame design i.e. steel framed designs it is an evoution of design over many years. The Porsche 911 is an example in the automobile design field of that same evolution over a long period of time. That is one main reason I enjoy seeing, study and thinking about Bicycles. Charles Nighbor Walnut Creek, CA PS I have one photo that sums up why we are into bicycles. Ask for it
Charles,
I've used roadkill as a theme on a bike a long time ago, including a matching painted helmet. She's got nothing on me. Still, bicycles shouldn't be art as far as I'm concerned; unless you want it to.
I could explain the concept and the wedge design if I had more time, but not now. The ONLY purpose for it is to improve the bicycle and it's function, through this design, as you will eventually see. Let me finish it.
Brian
Brian I always enjoy your comments. And I agree with you.But I am still trying to figure how what you meant by use of wedges on your Aero tourer. I say this because 1. I am unclear about what you really did and 2. To dream is very nice but in Architecture some idiot would always ask what size nail should I use and their went your dream and back to practicality you were. However I decided this is the best I saw yet in the world of bicycles, see attached. Your choice Charles PS Architecture friend of mine whose both daughters went to Art School had her 2nd daughter use Coyote road kill for art. which leaves both of us in dust a lot of dust
Charles,
Your words are true to some extent, but realisticly very few people can pull it off and survive. I'm surviving and I quite, quite happy with life in general. It doesn't come from the "finincial rewards" of my business, that much is for certain. But if the purpose of life is to be happy and satisfied with ones accomplisments thus far and to have respect and friends, then I arrived a long time ago. To be honest, one of the greatest rewards is to be amongst my contempories; people like Paul Sadhoff, Mark Nobelette, Roland Della Santa, Richard Sachs, Peter Weigle, Peter Johnson, Ed Litton, Jeff Lyon, Glenn Erickson, Tom Kellog, etc., and the old other timers I can't bring to mind off hand. We all do things a little differently and for slightly different reasons. Get to know the person and the framebuilder and you will see that each is a giant in the field but we are all different. There is no better amongst us, it's all a matter of what is the difference. Look for that.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
I just read Bruce Gordon's email to Classic Rendezvous about the financial blight of handmade frame builders here in the USA. I agree it is a tough choice to be an artisan and have it be your main source of funds. However as an Architect and having been in that processional field since 1958 I have the perspective to view the total artisan and art field. Those fields has never been one to chase money. It is a work of love for ideas and dreams that far surpass any monetary gains. To dream of a new building design or a great touring bicycle like Brian Baylis did and built and displayed at the 2006 NAHBS far exceeds the lure of dollars. To be alive and be able to dream and to be able to execute those dreams is what life is about. Charles Nighbor, Architect Walnut Creek, CA