Frank – Gravel Bike Frame Building Course
12. December 2023
Tigerbär Cycles – Q&A
12. December 2023
Hi Robert,
Today, I went on my first bike ride with the new bike. The first 60 kilometers were great. The geometry is perfect; I felt at home right away, absolutely no adjustment needed, everything fits. It’s as if it was made for me (which it actually was—but I’m still glad that the geometry fits so extremely well). Now, of course, comes the test over a long distance—on these short routes, pretty much any bike works. The frame is stiff and direct/agile—but not nervous and dampens subtly as is typical with steel (and that’s a good thing). Otherwise, nothing rattled or scraped, and the shifting (electronic 1×12) is a dream. I didn’t think that the difference to a mechanical shifting system could be so drastic. I believe the bike and I can become good friends.
Best regards,
Axel
How did you come up with the idea of building your own frame?
I have had the idea of building my own frame for over 30 years. On one hand, I have long wanted a “custom frame”; on the other hand, I originally come from a craft background and love creating things with my own hands.
Why did you choose this frame? What do you plan to do with it?
I had been looking for a gravel bike at a time when bike dealers scoffed at what they saw as a modern trend and wondered why I wouldn’t just buy a racing bike or a mountain bike. Of course, by now, I have one or another gravel bike, but I wanted to build a very minimalist bike tailored to me that would be suitable for fast rides as well as longer outings.
What is special to you about your self-built frame?
Mounting points where I need them, and I’ve simply left everything else out. For example, I switched to an electronic single-speed shifting system and left out the cable routing for the shift cable and derailleur. Additionally, the rear hydraulic line runs completely through the frame.
How was your time in the frame building course?
Exciting, as I learned a lot about frame building and the details involved. Every action taken has an impact on the appearance and quality of the finished frame.
How does your finished bike ride?
The geometry is perfect; I felt at home right away, absolutely no adjustment needed, everything fits. It’s as if it was made for me (which it is—but I’m still glad that the geometry fits so extremely well). The frame is stiff and direct/agile—but not nervous, and it dampens subtly as is typical with steel (and that’s a good thing). Otherwise, nothing rattled or scraped, and the shifting (electronic 1×12) is a dream. I didn’t think that the difference to a mechanical shifting system could be so drastic. I believe the bike and I can become good friends.
How did you find me, and how did you hear about the frame building courses?
Fortunately, I was encouraged by my wife to realize my dream of my own bike (frame). “Do it now, then you’ll have it for longer”—and that’s how I came across your site while researching. After the first nice contact, the decision was made, and luckily I was able to move the planned appointment forward.
