Becoming a Framebuilder

If you’re serious about learning the craft of framebuilding, you’ve probably already done some footwork. You know that UBI offers a course, that a large number of builders will teach you how to do it, or that you can pick up the Paterek Manual and teach yourself (not recommended).

Knowing bicycle design theory, brazing (or TIG welding), mitering, and so forth is all well and good, but there’s so much more you should probably know stuff that isn’t normally covered in framebuilding courses — things related to design, running a business and so forth. I’ll break it down into three categories: Essential, Should Know, and Nice to Know.

Essentials

Math, specifically algebra and geometry, both of which are absolutely essential for frame design. In business, it would be good to have some basic understanding of how to run a business, and project management. Language skills — especially written communication — are extremely important. Also extremely essential would be understanding how to operate mills and lathes without killing yourself.

Should Know

Art classes on design and color theory would help (so you’re not producing frames that look like a drunk clown barfed Skittles all over them). Jewelery-making and metalworking art classes would go a long way toward helping you carve some fantastic lugs. Marketing is helpful, too — understanding marketing strategies and basic concepts like ROI (return-on-investment) are good, and knowing best practices for things like social media, SEM, email, etc. I could write for days on the subject of marketing. Social and customer service skills are huge — you want to find customers and keep them happy. Some applied mechanical engineering/common sense would be helpful, too — you’ll frequently find yourself wanting to make your own tools to solve particular problems that keep cropping up.

Nice to Know

Painting and powdercoating — I don’t count this as essential because there’s a plethora of providers (alliteration, see also: language skills, above) that can do it for you; knowing it, however, will allow you to save a bunch of money and will increase your profit margins. Knowing basic web design and dev work would be good for maintaining your website. (You do have a website, don’t you?)

Summation

Ultimately, this list is based on my experience thus far. It’s highly likely that I’m overlooking things that I haven’t bumped up against yet. If there’s anyone else out there who is building — whether a newbie or a master — I’d love some input on this list.