This is one for the likes of Brian, and any other frame builders on the list, and hopefully should be on topic as like myself many have been building frames well before the cut off date.
Here's the question, if you weren't a frame builder, what frame would you choose?
Maybe you already have frames made by other builders? I personally have always ridden my own frames, which is nice and I know people often say to me how they wish they could make their own bike! [I guess we take it for granted that we can just simply do yet another frame for ourselves] but being a frame builder means you can't really go out and buy a different make, it just wouldn't seem right.......................... or is that just me being silly?
I mean its like a butcher going to another butcher to buy his meat!
Yet I'm sure many of you have thought, wow I'd like one of those!
I'm going to add my choice by saying, 'Ron Cooper' Whilst at Jackson's in the 70s we had a small batch of his frames turn up for paint, and I remember looking at them and thinking, Kev you're not there yet! What we were doing was good, but what he was doing was better!
Looking at some of the frames that are being shown at the NAHMBS I guess it must be quite difficult for folk to choose which one to go for, ther'es some really good stuff out there, probably better than its ever been.
Actually I do have a frame made by someone else, my Sannino, but I have to admit the frame was given to me, I gave it a new lease of life and now its my ride when I go vist a friend in Tuscany Italy [seems appropiate to use an Italian frame!]
Any thoughts?
Cheers
Kevin Sayles
Bridgwater Somerset UK