Where are you?
We're based in Central Scotland, see the contact page for details.
Can I come and visit?
Sure you can. We're a very busy operation so please call ahead and let us know you want to come. That way we can make sure we have time to see you. It'll also give us time to buy some biscuits and do the hoovering.
What are your frames made of?
All our current frames are made of steel. Each of our frames has a custom blend of steel tubing with each tubed picked for it's specific purpose.
Our tubing mostly comes from Reynolds and Columbus and as we're not tied to a specific tubeset or manufacturer, this allows us to freely choose the best tube for job. This makes our frames a little more expensive but we're more interested in making the best frame we can.
Isn't steel heavy?
Absolutley not. The advances in the production of steel over the past few years has been amazing. When you consider that the wall thickness of some of the tubes we use is less than half a millimetre thick, that should give you an idea of how lightweight steel frames can be. Add in the ride characteristics, durability and repairability of steel, it's easy to see why we think modern steel is the best material for our frames.
Where are the frames made?
All of our frames are made by us in our workshop in Central Scotland.
How long have you been building bicycle frames?
We've been building steel bicycle frames since 2003.
Why don’t you have your frames produced in Asia like other manufacturers?
Good question. Some of the frames coming out of Asia are excellent. However, manufacturing in Asia is geared up to building high volume, low cost frames and that's not what we're about.
Building low volume frames by hand here in the UK allows us to offer a greater degree of customisation for our customers (whether cable routing, colour or sometimes even geometry), but more importantly, it provides greater control and allows us to monitor quality much more effectively.
We also believe passionately about developing design and manufacturing skills here in the UK.
Building low volume frames by hand here in the UK allows us to offer a greater degree of customisation for our customers (whether cable routing, colour or sometimes even geometry), but more importantly, it provides greater control and allows us to monitor quality much more effectively.
We also believe passionately about developing design and manufacturing skills here in the UK.
Do you sell complete bikes or just frames?
At the moment we offer frame, forks and headsets (fitted). We'd like to offer complete bikes at some point in the future but for the moment, we're concentrating on what we do best, building frames.
What are the colour/paint options?
We're still finalising our paint finishes but expect to be able to offer a few standard colours with custom colours/finishes as an option.
You used to do custom frames, do you still do that?
Yes we do. See here us for more details.
You say the frames are fillet brazed, what does that mean?
There are 3 popular ways of joining a steel frame. Tig welding, lugs and fillet brazing.
Tig is a fast, high temperature, welding process and normally produces a stack of weld 'beads' round the tube junctions. This technique is popular in production facilities where speed and minimal cleanup is required.
Lugs are fittings that the tubes slide into, the lugs and tubes are heated up and a (normally) low temperature filler is added to create the bond. When building with lugs, the geometry of the frame is dictated by the available lugs. Some amount of cleanup is required for an acceptable finish.
With fillet brazing the tubes are mitered to join each other. The tube junction is heated, normally using an oxy/fuel torch and a filler material is added. The builder builds a 'fillet' round the join with the filler, creating an incredibly strong structure. The fillet creates a smooth transition from tube to tube which not only looks great but eliminates stress risers which could compromise the integrity of the frame.
Tig is a fast, high temperature, welding process and normally produces a stack of weld 'beads' round the tube junctions. This technique is popular in production facilities where speed and minimal cleanup is required.
Lugs are fittings that the tubes slide into, the lugs and tubes are heated up and a (normally) low temperature filler is added to create the bond. When building with lugs, the geometry of the frame is dictated by the available lugs. Some amount of cleanup is required for an acceptable finish.
With fillet brazing the tubes are mitered to join each other. The tube junction is heated, normally using an oxy/fuel torch and a filler material is added. The builder builds a 'fillet' round the join with the filler, creating an incredibly strong structure. The fillet creates a smooth transition from tube to tube which not only looks great but eliminates stress risers which could compromise the integrity of the frame.
What's the warranty on your frames?
All of our frames have a lifetime 'normal use' warranty. If any of our frames fail in normal use, we'll repair or replace the frame at any point as long as the frame is with the original owner.
I've damaged my frame in a crash/accident, what do I do now?
We offer a full repair service or in some circumstances will offer a discounted replacement frame.
What size of seatpost/bottom bracket/headset do your frames take?
All our frames use a 27.2 seat post and 1-1/8" headset. Our Road frames use a 68mm bottom bracket shell, everything else uses a 73mm shell.
Do you have a race team?
No, but we are keen in getting involved with interesting events either as sponsors or organisers. If you have an idea, let us know.
I live near you, can I come and collect my frame?
Sure, just make sure to tell us when you place your order.
