I love classic road and cyclocross bicycles for their elegant style and French porteur and randonee bikes designs with a focus on utility. I try to blend these timeless elements into my bicycles with modern technology and function. I have decades of experience building race winning road, gravel and cyclocross bikes, complex randonneuring bicycles, utility focused city commuting machines, and rugged adventure touring bikes all with modern details in mind. A good bicycle is balanced in the fit, proportions, style and function.
Information about the bikes including process, design and fit philosophy, materials and everything else.
Thank you for being here and for your interest in
the custom steel bicycles I build!
I build most of my frames using Columbus steel tubing with wet paint by ColorWorks in Oregon. I build completely custom frames, forks, stems and racks including fit, design, construction and prefer to sell complete bicycles to ensure every detail is dialed before it leaves my workshop. Each bicycle is a whole and it’s important to consider each detail and part together. You can see some examples of bikes below. My current delivery time for a bicycle is 7 months from the deposit date.
Every bike starts with a conversation about what you’re looking for and how to construct your dream bike.
Process
1. Consultation, Fit and Deposit
Every bike starts with a conversation about what you’re looking for and how I can construct your dream bike. Email or a scheduled phone call are the best ways to start a new bike discussion. I will answer any questions you might have and listen to your needs as a rider. If you’d like to arrange a shop visit and fitting session, we can arrange a time.
I ask for a non-refundable $500 deposit to secure your spot in the builder queue. Once the deposit is received, we can proceed with the next steps.
I will share my fitting form at this time and will take detailed notes about the build including parts and paint choice. I often work closely with professional bike fitters and can also reference any existing fitting data you might have on file. It is important to know where you are coming from to be able to know how to make the new bike fit and ride like a dream.
2. Frame Design and Paint Proof
When the time comes to your spot in the build queue, it is to look at all the information and start designing the bicycle. I take care to look at all the details including fit, parts, intended use and aesthetic style when I am designing a bicycle. With 20+ years as a professional builder and rider, I have a keen understanding for blending each detail together to make a great handling and beautiful bicycle. I will send a complete frame design proof to ensure all details are approved before any tubing is cut. A paint mockup is also made at this stage to provide an idea for design and cost. I provide a quote for the final price including frameset, parts, accessories, paint and shipping at this time. A 50% payment is required at this stage in the process.
3. Build and Paint
I measure, cut, file, braze, and finish each frame I build. The time it takes to construct a frameset varies depending on details and options. Paint takes 3-4 weeks to complete before it comes back to the shop where I prep the frame for final assembly. I will invoice you the remaining balance for the bicycle at this time.
4. Assembly and shipping
Once the frameset and all components arrive in the shop, it’s assembled, photographed and shipped to you. It is always preferred to deliver a complete bicycle with each detail tuned and adjusted for your fit. I always prefer to use BikeFlights and UPS for shipping since they provide professional tracking and insurance.
Pricing
Fillet brazed framesets (frame and fork) start at $2500. This includes the most common braze ons such as water bottles and fender eyelets.
Lugged framesets (frame and fork) start at $2600.
Base level paint with a single color start at $800.
Custom fillet brazed and painted stems start at $290.
Custom chromoly rando or porteur racks start at $450.
Added details such as lug carving, polished stainless lugs and complex details will cost extra as you’d expect.
Parts would cost approximately what you’d pay at a shop and I have access to all major parts suppliers such as Campy, Sram and Shimano as well as many boutique brands like Paul Components, Chris King and White Industries. I prefer to source directly from vendors to make sure each part is considered for the bikes fit, performance and style.
I prefer to sell complete bikes whenever possible to ensure all parts fit and work perfectly together. Assembly with parts I source will receive a 5% discount on pricing. If the customer provides all the parts there is a $200 assembly charge.
I always strive to source parts that are made in the USA whenever possible and value companies who act with environmental awareness.
If you have interest in working together to create your dream bike, get in touch to secure your build spot.
Reach out via email, phone, or my contact form. If you are in Portland, OR and want to stop by my workshop, please get in touch and we can schedule a time and day that works best.
