Best custom frame builder

[Tenkaykev]

The two that sprung to mind if I had the money were Chas Roberts and Lee Cooper. They're more that traditional style, gorgeous lugs and a certain period look to them. Chas is too far for you though.

Rourke are nice but Chris does tend towards the more modern style road frames, depends what you want. I suppose he'd build you a penny farthing with scroll work on the lugs though if you paid him!

I seem to remember reading that Chas Roberts had retired a while back.
We visited his workshop about 15 years ago when Mrs Tenkay had her touring bike made.

 

[Pale Rider]

I had looked at Rourkes.. I am thinking of writing on article on custom hand built bikes..

If you are writing an article, rather than buying a frame, it matters not what they specialise in - anyone who welds a few gas pipes together will do.

Seems to me you may need to travel further to get a more interesting article than the standard feature, which for the likes of Rourke has been done many times before.

I believe Woodrup in Leeds still build frames in a 'man in a brown coat at the back of the shop' way.

There are also at least a couple of other builders in Leeds, so an article on frame builders in the city could work.

There's a lass who builds high end stuff, or at least charges a lot for it.

She's in the Shropshire area, but does have a story to tell as a woman in a world dominated by men.

Reilly in Brighton, and now Brackley in Northants, do some frame making.

Not sure about their carbon frames, but if they are made in Northants that would make a more interesting article than one about traditional metal bashing.

 

[Venod]

Woodrup and Bob Jackson in Leeds, both excellent frame builders with years of experience.

 

[simon the viking]

Not sure about the 'helpful' bit but Mercian would be my choice, probably not that 'exotic' around Derby but years of heritage behind them

Mercian is close to me. i did try emailing them a while back when i first thought of this and got no response... might try again.

 

[simon the viking]

i did think of a leeds feature. for jackson and woodrup. might consider that. the shropshire idea is a possibility. i might look into that as well.

 

[Ian H]

Chas is retired. I think Geoff Roberts is still building. Dave Yates might still be offering frame-building classes.
I'm getting a second bike made by Richard Hallett. He learnt frame-building under the late Cliff Shrubb, but is a vastly experienced cyclist & cycling journalist as well.

 

[simon the viking]

i did read On his website that Chas had retired when he was mentioned early in the thread.

 

[simon the viking]

anybody got any experience of Vernon Barker in north Derbyshire?

 

[Bonefish Blues]

i did think of a leeds feature. for jackson and woodrup. might consider that. the shropshire idea is a possibility. i might look into that as well.

http://www.beaumontbicycle.com/

She has increasingly developed an interesting niche with stepovers, in addition to being the wielder of the torch for Flying Gates. My observation is that she's properly 'custom' as opposed to many builders.

No connection, other than having enjoyed a conversation with Liz, and followed her development. She & Lee Cooper would be an interesting comparison.

 

[vickster]

http://www.beaumontbicycle.com/

She has increasingly developed an interesting niche with stepovers, in addition to being the wielder of the torch for Flying Gates. My observation is that she's properly 'custom' as opposed to many builders.

No connection, other than having enjoyed a conversation with Liz, and followed her development. She & Lee Cooper would be an interesting comparison.

Pretty sure that they did a feature with her on Escape to the country

 

[jayonabike]

Mercian. I have one and it’s a beautiful bike

 

[screenman]

http://www.daveyatescycles.co.uk/

 

[Tight Git]

How about Arthur Caygills in Richmond (N Yorks)

https://www.arthurcaygillcycles.co.uk/framebuilding-and-renovations

 

[roley poley]

Woodrup and Bob Jackson in Leeds, both excellent frame builders with years of experience.

Ellis Briggs in Shipley,changed a bit but still going

 

[Once a Wheeler]

Not sure about the 'helpful' bit but Mercian would be my choice, probably not that 'exotic' around Derby but years of heritage behind them

https://www.merciancycles.co.uk/
Back in the heyday of handbuilt steel frames, our club champion scoured the country for the perfect frame and ended up with a Mercian. As a southern outfit, his was the only one in the club. We stuck to our London-built frames but he became a national champion.