Road Bike with Columbus Trittico

Robert was in Potsdam in 2024 to attend one of our frame building courses, and has now finished building his bike, with the new Columbus Trittico cockpit, fork, and seat post. We are initially excited about how it has turned out. Robert has a bit of time to answer our questions…

How did you come up with the idea to build your own frame?
The aesthetics of steel frames, especially road bikes like the Colnago Master, have fascinated me for a long time. Until now, I had tinkered with my bikes but had never built one from scratch. The idea of building a custom frame to my specifications thrilled me.

Why did you choose this frame? What do you plan to do with it?
I decided on a stainless steel frame that is meant to bridge the gap between traditional material and the latest standards with its modern geometry and fully integrated cables. The bike is intended to be an all-rounder, suitable for both weekly training and multi-day tours.

What is special to you about your self-built frame?
My personal ideas have flowed into this frame, from the geometry to the color scheme and component selection. Therefore, it is not “just any” bike, but one that is tailored specifically to me. The connection to this frame and the understanding of the manufacturing process differs completely from my previous bikes. Not to mention the pride in having built my own bike.

What was the time in the frame-building course like for you?
I was unsure before the course whether I would be technically able to complete the project, as I had never worked with steel before and was not familiar with welding. Robert was able to answer all my questions before the course and provided a concrete plan by discussing the project together. The suggestion to choose the Columbus Trittico components also came from Robert. The course started with a small bike fitting based on the planned geometry. Then we began working with the steel. After some practice cuts, it was time for our own tubes. Robert and Konrad were always available and guided us very skillfully through the process. The atmosphere was very relaxed, and I got along great with my course mate as well. Nevertheless, the two kept an eye on the schedule and knew the critical points exactly. During those days, one easily falls into a bit of “building fever” and would love to continue working after hours, even though the work is strenuous. On the Thursday ride, I was already able to experience the riding quality of the Big Forest Frameworks bikes. For me, the days were very educational, and the satisfaction of standing there at the end with a finished frame still lingers.

How does your finished bike ride?
The first thing I noticed was how quiet the frame is and how fluid the movements feel. I hadn’t experienced this on either my old steel bikes or my carbon racer. The first ride was a real eye-opener. The comfort is incomparable to my previous bikes; yet, the frame is stiff and can hold its own on climbs despite the higher material weight. It is simply fun to ride.