Rohloff with Gates und Gebla Rohbox – Frame Building Course
12. December 2023
Frame Building Course Q & A – Michael
12. December 2023
Hello Robert,
It rides fantastically; nothing shakes, it’s very stable and calm, yet soft. The transition from road to forest path is the most fun. Now I’m going to try it on a classic Tyrolean alpine round on the forest road.
Best regards,
Gerald
How did you come up with the idea of building your own frame?
I have been an avid cyclist since my youth and started adjusting bikes to meet my needs early on. As early as 1985, I was converting old city bikes into mountain bikes with my uncle in his basement. In 2007, I built my first carbon frame with a friend. I knew the technique from model aircraft construction, and it actually worked quite well. In 2012, I then tried my hand at a Baboo bike. But it has always been a wish to build a steel frame. At first, I thought about TIG welding, but I quickly realized that welding is very difficult and requires a lot of practice. So why not solder?
How did you find me, and how did you hear about the frame building courses?
At some point during my internet research, I came across Robert’s homepage. I was immediately excited. I then wrote to him to ask something about soldering; I was just in the process of restoring an old steel frame. Robert then got in touch with me because a course participant dropped out. I didn’t think long.
Why did you choose this frame? What do you plan to do with it?
I have tried many different bikes, but I didn’t have a gravel bike yet. That had to change.
What is special to you about your self-built frame?
It is a classic road bike frame, but built as a gravel. So it has thru-axles for thicker tires and, for the first time, also disc brakes. Robert’s fillet-brace technique immediately excited me; it gives a beautiful look after soldering, which I wanted. And it should be very simple, one color, with black components and tires. After assembling the frame in the course, I also decided to paint the frame myself. I’ve done that a few times, and each frame got a bit better. This one turned out quite well. However, it is a lot of work and requires patience. Several layers of primer, then wet painting, and finally 2-3 layers of clear coat. I am very satisfied with the result.
How was your time in the frame building course?
The frame building course with Robert is truly a fantastic experience that I can only recommend. There were just two of us, and the time flew by in no time. It was like a vacation and school at the same time. I also learned a lot about steel material and frame building technique. Of course, “live” is better than any book. If someone finds the beach boring, they must definitely come to Potsdam!
How does your finished bike ride?
The finished bike rides fantastically. I couldn’t have wished for anything better. It’s calm, very stiff at the bottom bracket, behaves like a racing bike when climbing but is also dampening. It’s also perfect as an alternative to the mountain bike for going to the alpine pastures in Tyrol.
