Frame Building Course – Gravel Bike – Carsten

How did you come up with the idea to build your own frame?
I enjoy tinkering and assembling bikes myself. However, creativity is limited by the parts available. Building my own frame was a new creative and crafting challenge for me. I also wanted to learn something new and, last but not least, have a good time doing it.

Why did you decide to build this bike? What do you plan to do with it?
I wanted a frame with plenty of tire clearance for bikepacking and gravel bike tours on any terrain. My current gravel bike is designed for sport and is not a good choice for tours in rougher terrain due to the limited tire clearance, and a mountain bike is too far on the other side of the spectrum for me for most tours in mixed terrain.

What is special about the frame that you built?
On the one hand, the frame is tailored exactly to my needs and my size characteristics. On the other hand, you have a much greater connection with things that you have made yourself than with an off-the-shelf product. You spend a lot of time on a bike. This time is even better when the bike fits well and you like it. The frame is the crucial component for this.

How was your time in your frame building course?
Very good, I had a lot of fun. Robert and Konrad were good teachers and led my two course colleagues and I step by step to the finished frame in a relaxed atmosphere. Building a frame is a lot of work, but I found it very entertaining and satisfying. It’s very nice to hold the finished frame in your hands on the 5th day.

How does your bike ride?
Well balanced and extremely comfortable. It’s character is rather good-natured, but it’s perfect for the requirements. Due to its off-road capability, my mountain bike can now remain in the garage for most tours. At the same time, the bike rides significantly better on the road than a mountain bike.

How did you find Big Forest Frameworks?
I looked online for available courses and I quickly came across you. Since I have a weakness for steel frames, I have landed on your site before. So I had seen what kind of frames you make yourself and I liked them. The bikes from course participants in your blog are also very appealing.

More information about our course can be found here.