Stainless (Columbus XCR) Frame Building Course with Jörg

Hello Jörg! How did you come up with the idea to build your own frame?
I have always built my bikes and sometimes my wheels completely by myself. Frame building and the craftsmanship involved have always interested and fascinated me. I just wanted to build a frame entirely on my own—having that kind of personal involvement creates a completely different relationship with the frame and the bike.

Why did you choose this frame?
I wanted a classic steel frame, but as light, modern, and elegant as possible. That’s how I came across the Columbus XCR tube set and began searching for a frame made from it, which led me to this frame building course.

What do you plan to do with it?
I want to use the bike as a modern interpretation of a classic steel racer, just like a regular racing bike, alongside my super-light carbon racer. That means for training as well as on tours.

What is special about your self-built frame?
Because I cut and adjusted every tube myself and then brazed the whole thing together, I’ve developed a different relationship with this bike than I would have if I simply bought a frame. I also had the opportunity to build and design the frame and the entire bike exactly as I envision it.

How was your time in the frame building course?
It was a fantastic time for me. I really enjoy hands-on work and love tinkering with bikes. In the course I had the opportunity to do both for a week, during which I could truly turn off and escape from daily life. All of this in a great atmosphere with like-minded people.

How does your finished bike ride?
It rides somewhat more stable and not quite as agile as my carbon racer, but that’s exactly what I wanted. Aside from that, it rides comfortably and very quietly—there are no rattles, vibrations, or noise. Just gliding silently along. Otherwise, it can easily keep up with my other bikes—it definitely doesn’t ride like a DIY project and can compete with any road bike that I purchased.

How did you come across me, and how do you know about the frame building courses?
I had been thinking about a frame building course for a long time and researched online to find out who offers such courses. That’s when I came across you. When the opportunity arose to build exactly the frame I had in mind during the stainless steel course, I just “jumped at the chance.”