Stainless Steel, Clean Lines, and Built by Hand: Emmanuel’s Dream Bike

For Emmanuel, the desire to build his own bicycle frame was really just the logical continuation of something that has been part of his life for as long as he can remember.

Originally from France, the 57-year-old now lives near Zurich and has worked independently as a product designer for 33 years. He also runs his own watch brand, Dietrich. Creating his own interpretations of the objects he uses and loves has been a passion since childhood.

So, as road and gravel riding began to take up more and more space in his life, it was only natural that he would eventually want a bicycle that was truly his own interpretation as well.

Somewhere between a road bike and a gravel bike

Emmanuel had a pretty clear idea of what his bicycle should do.

He wanted something more comfortable than many modern road bikes, particularly with a slightly higher front end. At the same time, it needed to be fast and efficient on the road, while still being capable of tackling gravel in winter with a change of tires.

One bike for as much as possible.

His ideas about the design were equally clear: stainless steel, clean lines, and as few mounting points as possible.

The decision to actually build the frame himself came surprisingly quickly. Emmanuel had already been looking for a good steel frame. When he discovered Big Forest Frameworks and learned that he could build his own frame himself, the decision was immediate.

The moment the silver starts to flow

Emmanuel had few doubts about whether he could do it. Working with his hands was nothing new to him. He has spent time in workshops since childhood, maintained a prototype workshop throughout his career as a designer, and has always modified, repaired, and maintained his own bicycles.

What was new to him was silver brazing.

And that became one of the moments from the course that stayed with him most:

“I found it almost magical to see how the silver behaves and flows.”

Even for someone who has spent his professional life working with materials, forms, and making things, watching the joints of his own bicycle frame come together was something entirely new.

Berlin instead of Zurich

One of the biggest surprises of the week, however, had very little to do with framebuilding.

Emmanuel calls it the “Berlin flair”: the combination of a highly professional workshop, the courtyard setting, a beer at the end of the day, and a slightly shabby aesthetic.

For someone living near Zurich, where, as Emmanuel puts it, everything has to look perfect, it was quite a contrast.

And one he enjoyed.

So, how does it ride?

The stainless steel frame has now become a complete bicycle, and Emmanuel has been riding it on his favorite routes in the countryside around Zurich.

The result hasn’t just met his expectations. It has exceeded them.

The frame feels dynamic and efficient without feeling overly stiff. The individually tailored, more comfortable riding position allows him to ride longer and better. The weight came as another surprise: the complete bike weighs just 8.8 kilograms.

Most of all, though, it is much faster than Emmanuel expected.

Or, in his own words:

“When you fly past on a steel bike, the carbon crowd looks after you in surprise.”

A bicycle that means more

Perhaps the most interesting part of Emmanuel’s story has nothing to do with weight, speed, or geometry.

It’s the connection you develop with something you have made yourself.

Emmanuel describes his attachment to objects he makes himself as “a thousand times stronger.” He is understandably proud of his bicycle and of riding something that began simply as an idea in his head.

Will it be the only frame he ever builds?

Probably not.

For now, Emmanuel says he is still in the honeymoon phase with his new bike. But sooner or later, he expects the urge to build another one will return.

And perhaps the next frame won’t even be for himself.

He can easily imagine building a bicycle for someone he loves.

His conclusion after building his first frame is wonderfully simple:

“Making things yourself is the best. Give it a try!”