Handmade Steel Frames

Nozama

Steel Gravel Bike

The Gravel Bike for Road and Trail

Nozama

This is your bike for everything. Where there are no cars, no traffic, no stress. You, your bike, and nature. Nothing more, nothing less. Or would you rather spend your evening on asphalt riding around the lake? No matter where you want to go, this bike will take you there.

We are excited to introduce our new Nozama! This bike comes with some cool new features, and if we think it’s cool, then you will definitely think it’s cool too! This Nozama is designed for maximum tire clearance of up to 40mm. That’s the perfect width for someone who wants more of a road bike but still wants to get off of the road and out of traffic.

This frame is prepared for a 1- or 2-speed drivetrain. The shift cables and brake lines can either be fully hidden (fully integrated cables, as shown, best with an electronic drivetrain) or routed internally (cables entry points in the down tube). The frame also has mounts for fenders and a rear rack, should these be needed.

The Nozama has a T47 bottom bracket shell. The larger diameter allows the shift cable(s) and brake line to be completely routed internally from the front to back through the bottom bracket. The bike looks even better, with fewer distracting cables. And it is also lighter, about 150g. Yes, 150g isn’t much, but if you’re the type for whom every gram counts, that’s quite a lot. The T47 bottom bracket also offers increased stiffness than its smaller brother, the BSA standard. Although we believe that stiffness isn’t always better, the more power from your legs going into speed on the bike is definitely not a bad thing. If you haven’t heard of the T47 standard yet: it has a larger diameter than BSA but still has threads. Unlike press-fit bottom brackets, which don’t have threads, the T47 doesn’t have the unwanted creaking and cracking noises that you might be familiar with on other bikes. The installation and removal of threaded bottom brackets, like the T47, is also significantly easier than with press-fit bottom brackets.

This steel frame is made from Columbus tubing, a mix of Life, Zona, and Cromor. With a 35mm down tube, the frame offers a comfortable and predictable riding experience. The nice, thin seat stays provide for more comfortable tours.

And the name, you ask? Spelled backward, Nozama is Amazon. No, not the online retailer! A portion of the profits from every Nozama sold are donated to the organization Amazon Watch. Amazon Watch supports indigenous peoples in the Amazon region and thus protects the rainforest and our climate.

What are you waiting for? Great tours in forests and on the road await you.

ORDER YOUR NOZAMA FRAMESET.

one of a kind handmade steel gravel frame

1.899,00 Euro Frame + Fork

(including VAT, not including shipping)

Please enquire to order your complete Nozama dream bike build.

Get your Nozama in Deep Blue Ocean.

Here are 6 good reasons to order a Nozama from Big Forest Frameworks:

1. Steel is the most environmentally friendly material for a bicycle frame. Aluminum requires enormous amounts of energy during production. Additionally, after welding, the frames must be heat-treated — essentially baked in a large oven — to prevent them from breaking. This also makes repairs very difficult. While carbon uses less energy, large amounts of water are consumed during its production. Steel can easily be recycled, whereas carbon is typically discarded.

2. Fillet brazed frames made have a longer lifespan than other types of steel frames.The smooth transitions between tubes allow for a better distribution of stress. There are no sharp edges that would otherwise serve as weak points. This increases the expected lifespan by about 50%. All joints on the Nozama are fillet brazed. The downside compared to a welded joint is the time required. It takes more time to braze a frame than to weld it. That’s why almost all mass produced frames made from aluminum or steel today are welded. While this reduces costs, it is detrimental to the environment since welded frames are generally not repaired, but discarded.

3. Brazed steel frames are relatively easy to repair compared to aluminum, carbon, or even welded steel frames.This is because a tube can be removed and re-brazed, but it is not possible to “un-weld” a joint. And while carbon frames can generally be repaired, it is very costly, so a damaged carbon frame is usually replaced entirely. The old carbon racing bike then ends up in the landfill. If one wants to contribute to reducing resource consumption and protecting the environment, the choice is actually simple: better to repair than to replace. A brazed steel frame can be repaired and recycled.

4. Since we are confident in our craftsmanship, we offer the original owner a 10-year warranty against manufacturing defects in their frame. If your frame breaks under normal riding conditions, we will repair or replace it at our expense.

5. One more thing regarding repairs. We offer a quick repair service for accident damage on frames made by us. We want you to be back on your bike as soon as possible. In most cases, we have your frame repaired and repainted or powder-coated in under four weeks.

6. Do you think that bikes with steel frames are heavy? That’s not true. Road bikes can easily weigh under 7 kg, even with a steel frame. Some have even managed to get under 6 kg. Sure, carbon and aluminum can go even lighter, but we’re talking about a difference smaller than the weight of a water bottle. Therefore, we consider steel a clear winner in terms of environmental impact and sustainability compared to just a few extra grams of weight reduction.

When you consider all these points, you come to the clear conclusion: a brazed Nozama frame-set or Bike from Big Forest Frameworks is an environmentally friendly investment in riding pleasure for a lifetime. Your lifetime, to be precise. Why not just get in touch? Send us an email at info@bigforestframeworks.com or give us a call at 015901532779.

Geometry

We offer the Nozama in 3 standard sizes. We know that most riders do not want to wait the typical 10-12 months for a custom frame from us. We want you to be able to receive your Nozama as a frame-set within 5-7 days. Of course, if required the Nozama is also available as a custom frame with custom geometry, should you need it.

SPECIAL DETAILS

Tubing from Columbus

Tubing from Columbus

Our frames are made from the best steel from Columbus in Italy. For our Nozama, we have selected a mix of Life, Zona, and Cromor. This is lightweight but still stable and stiff. The double oversize down tube can handle anything while maintaining the classic look that a steel frame should have. However, the thinner seat stays allow for a bit of flex in the rear, which provides a little more riding comfort for your tours. And, not to forget, the 27.2mm seat post size offers much more give than the larger sizes typically found in aluminum and carbon frames. And that makes a difference when riding.

Internally Routed Cables

Internally Routed Cables

With internally routed shift cables and brake lines, you no longer have to worry about damaging your beautiful paint job when you grab your bike. Or from vibrartions while you are riding. This option should really be standard on all bikes, and you’ll feel validated in your decision every time you grasp the top tube. Of course internally routed cables aren’t just functional,  they just look better!

T47 Bottom Bracket

T47 Bottom Bracket

The T47 bottom bracket is a relatively new standard for the bottom bracket shell – bottom bracket – system. The motivation for this standard was the creaking and squeaking of many press-fit bottom brackets, as well as a larger diameter compared to the conventional BSA standard. The larger diameter provides more stiffness in this area, the larger bearings have a longer lifespan, and the extra space between the crank axle and the shell allows for enough room to route the cables completely internally in most cases.

Actually Made in Germany

Actually Made in Germany

Your Nozama frame is made in our workshop in Potsdam-Babelsberg. In more than 250 small steps, your Nozama frame is cut, prepared, and brazed from Columbus tubes from Italy. We are proud of our Nozama and carry out each step of the process with precision. Because your frame is made in Germany, in most cases the transport distances are shorter and the CO2 footprint is smaller, which is good for our environment. And with every Nozama frame sold (spelled backward: Amazon), we — and you — support the fight against deforestation in the Amazon through a donation to Amazon Watch.

Geometry for Relaxed Rides

Geometry for Relaxed Rides

We have developed our geometry for those who not only ride shorter distances but also want to be on the road for several days or even longer. Compared to other manufacturers, the Nozama features a relatively long head tube. This means less saddle-to-handlebar drop and a more upright riding position. It’s more relaxed for your neck. Complete bikes come with a maximum of 4 cm of spacers between the headset and the stem, ensuring the seating position is as comfortable as possible. If you want a sportier ride, you can simply shorten the fork steerer. Frame sets are delivered with uncut fork steerers.”

Our Brass Tree

Our Brass Tree

Small but beautiful! Cut from a brass sheet with a CNC water jet, this little tree is a hallmark of our frames. It symbolizes our love for nature and our commitment to a more environmentally friendly way of manufacturing bicycle frames.

Big Forest Frameworks Head Tube Badge

Big Forest Frameworks Head Tube Badge

The Big Forest Frameworks head tube badge is, on its own, a small work of art. A beautiful detail designed by Daniel from weltunit, a Berlin-based design agency. You should have fun in nature on bikes that have been crafted with pride and by hand. That is our goal. Without compromises. Without trade-offs.  This was Daniel’s inspiration to design our head tube badge.

First-Class Paint

First-Class Paint

Our frames are powder-coated by one of the industry leaders. While this does come with slightly higher costs, it positively impacts the durability and appearance of your frame. Due to the high-quality standard, the difference between one of our powder-coated frames and a wet-painted frame can only be discerned by a paint professional. The advantage for you is durability. Powder-coated frames are not as prone to scratches and paint chips — which is quite important if your bike is primarily meant to handle off-road conditions. The Big Forest Frameworks logo on the down tube is not just a simple sticker; the same applies to the rest of the decoration. It is placed under a clear coat. This way, the decoration remains beautiful even if you overestimate your skills on the trail.

Fillet Brazed

Fillet Brazed

What makes a fillet brazed frame special? They are beautiful, strong, and durable. The seamless transition from one tube to another gives the impression that such a frame is made from a single piece of steel tubing. Fillet brazed frames are simple and elegant. From a distance, they may even appear ordinary. However, upon closer inspection, the fit, finish, and functionality of a fillet brazed frame from Big Forest Frameworks becomes evident. Fillet brazed frames are however not only aesthetically appealing. A frame built this way is also significantly more durable than a conventional TIG welded frame. The seamless joints reduce stress on the tubes, resulting in a lifespan that is 50% longer than that of a welded frame. No other construction method offers better quality and durability.

Stainless Steel Bits & Pieces

Stainless Steel Bits & Pieces

We want your frame to not only ride as well as it did on the first day after many years and tens of thousands of kilometers but to look first-class as well. The dropouts, bottle cage mounts, and seat clamp adapter are made of stainless steel, which keeps the paint from being damaged when you tighten things down.  We also take the time to remove the paint from the contact surfaces of the bottle cage mounts, brake mounts, and dropouts where it will inevitably wear off. This way, the surface remains just as flawless during disassembly as it was during assembly.

Frame Saver

Frame Saver

Are you worried about rust? You don’t have to be. Modern steel from Columbus is very corrosion-resistant. Normally, you could pass this frame down to your children — if the size fits. However, we also like to protect your frame from the inside with Frame Saver sealant. This prevents corrosion and adds only a minimal amount of weight.

Stainless Steel Seat Clamp Sleeve

Stainless Steel Seat Clamp Sleeve

This part simply looks great! The stainless steel seat clamp sleeve protects the frame’s coating from damage in the long term. Additionally, this sleeve increases the outer diameter of the seat tube to 31.7 mm, the most common standard. This way, you have the widest possible selection of seat clamps available to you.

Technical Specifications

FRAME

FRAME Columbus Life/Zona/Cromor, 44mm head tube, T47 bottom bracket shell, rear 142x12mm and front 100x12mm axle standards, flat mount brakes, 27.2mm seat post, suitable for 1- and 2-chainring setups

FORK Gravel, full carbon, 1 1/2″ tapered fork steerer, 40mm tire clearance, fender mounts

SEAT TUBE CLAMP Diameter 31,7mm

HEAD TUBE Diameter 44 mm

Hanger SRAM UDH (included)

UPGRADES

Color Choice (RAL) + 190 Euro, 6 weeks lead time

Custom geometry, including color choice + 490 Euro, 3 Month lead time

Rather build it yourself?

No Problem!

Steel Gravel Bike