"New" Vintage Bicycle Manufacturers/Builders?
 

Kind of an odd question - but besides Alex Singer and Rene Herse, what other manufacturers/frame builders out there are still making high quality steel lugged bicycle frames? And I don't mean brands like Surly or Soma. Who else is using quality (lightweight/strong) tubing and and cover the joints with nice luggs instead of leaving the joints bare? I'd really like to find something similar to Jan Heine's PBP bike or the Alex Singer in the following ebay link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/235123378081

You’d have to cull through this list to see who builds with lugs, but it’s a start: Framebuilder List For S and S Machine Bicycle Torque Couplings (BTCs)

This is really awesome! Thanks for sharing this

Take a look at:

Woodrup
Bob Jackson
Mercian

Many custom builders will still do lugs, oldschool skinny tubes with level top tube if you want.

Dave Levy of TiCycles built Strawberry

https://www.ticycles.com/bikes

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5c831d9ceb.jpg

Bob Kamzelski at Bantam bikes.

https://www.bantambicycles.com/bikes

Joseph Ahearne

Ira Ryan

All these are here in PDX and we have more, its kind of our thing. ;)

Brian Chapman

Dave Kirk and Doug Fattic have been featured here recently and Jeffery Bock in Iowa should also be on your short list.

Also Hetchins. A lot of manufacturers have one or two steel models in their line like Faggin, Somec, Tommasini etc. Panasonic has nice looking steel frames, they are built using some automatic process rather than by an artisan.

Nothing odd about the question, its why we're here. ;)

Realizing you're in FL, should clarify one thing that was paramount for me.

I would not do this without it being in person, for the cost it and the fitting is crucial for the experience face to face.

So not sure who's in FL but Doug Fattic may know or have some idea's.

All this assumes you know how much it can cost and are prepared to make the leap.

Mine was worth every penny of which there were many. :twitchy:

So I actually come out to Seattle quite a bit for work, if you can recommend places to stop-in while I'm in that area? I've noticed some places (Rene Herse for example) don't actually seem to have a storefront. Portland is probably too far of a drive for me, but anything from Seattle to Squim I could probably do.

Also, it looks like there are some bicycle expos (I found one at least in Phily in March) where brands like J.P. Weigle and VeloOrange attend. Are there other large events/expos where you could walk around and see these kinds of bikes? I'd really like to see stuff in person, etc. before I buy instead of picking something off of ebay or putting down a deposit somewhere. I am not in a rush, my Dawes Galaxy is still serving me well.

Davidson and Rodriguez are in Seattle, there are others as well.

I will reach out to and others will likely chime in too. ;)

You just missed MADE here in PDX, it would have been well worth the trip if you were near, over 200 frame builders and suppliers, it was fantastic,

Philly expo is a very good plan, there are others but it is a Grandaddy so get there.

Many here are Velo O and Rivendell fans as am I but they are not custom, they just charge like they still are but a little cheaper than actual full custom, apples and oranges IMO. :twitchy:

Ok I will add MADE to my list, and maybe 4 hours drive would be worth the trip to Portland.... especially for a massive event like that. Will be a long road I'm sure, but that's okay! Trying to pick will probably be the hardest part...

Cinelli, Bianchi…

Yep, and glad to meetup, help, etc, etc.

I don't think you could regret it even if it overwhelms, you will get a lot more perspective and find a better match I think. ;)

Yes, if you want something prêt-à-porter instead of custom.

Battaglin, Bertoletti, Bianchi, Cinelli, Formigli, Il Massimo, Tommasini, Wilier. And technically Masi when Simone gets the proper permits to open the shop.

Simone still is dangling, waiting?
ouch, been years.

seperately, is the Bob Jackson brand still going? Was to close.
they were making Hetchins for a time also.

I would not consider any of those specialists in camping bikes.

In Florida, check out https://terrafermacycles.com. @cudak888 is known to hang out at that shop.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...40974c554b.jpg
Colnago! I just got this brand new maybe a year ago?

Check out Fitz Cyclez: home He does both lugged and tig, with a classic flare, and 100% custom, for very reasonable prices. I'm sorely tempted to have him build me a rando a la Francais.

Seems like you’re interested in a rando-style bike.

Without reservation I can recommend Mark Nobilette, the builder who made the frame for Jan’s Herse. He also builds the current full-custom Rivendells. Mark’s a true master, and has been building frames under his own name for almost 50 years.

Nobilette Cycles

Mark built a custom frame for me in 2016. He was very easy to work with, listened, and gave solid advice. His pricing is reasonable for the extremely high level of craftsmanship, and he doesn’t have a year’s long waiting list. I couldn’t be more happy with this bike.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dcfa355bb.jpeg

Legend by Bertoletti is an option
 

Great classic steel frame!
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c7feacf5c9.jpg

ericlowney if you are in Seattle, you might want to reach out to bulgie. He may know a thing or two…….million…..

Trust me when I tell you that Mark Nobilette is up to any challenge you might throw at him:

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...11ad2d13f.jpeg

https://www.mycitymag.com/an-unusual...y/#prettyPhoto

I think Mark is on my short list, as is Ira Ryan, just based on the quick research I've done. Lots of research/travelling/conversations to have now, appreciate all the advice! I'll be looking something that fits my very odd size (5'10" with a 35.5" PBH) and can perform a multi-function role from quick commutes to work/groceries/etc., doing long multi-day rides/events, and some group riding on weekends.

From my homeland, Marinoni, great guys, especially Marc, master fabricator who saved a few frames for me over the years.

They never stopped doing lugged frames. A few pics from my last visit, here is Marc working on saving my belloved Zanella Pro.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...49f5464dbb.jpg
a few frames spotted, new and respayed
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1d53d30f7a.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f686be1bba.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...678695cec7.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f611fde3e4.jpg

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reckon then that he would have built for Fraise and for Fragola as well...


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You beat me to it!

Only caveat: they aren't showing the Turismo on the website. I wonder if it's still available?