How I Built a Steel Bike

If you want to learn how to build a bicycle, The Bicycle Frame Building School in Tucson Arizona is the best bicycle frame making school in North America.
I chose to study with Frame Builder, Dave Bohm because he has a wealth of knowledge on metal working, bicycles, tools, and the bicycle industry at all levels. Plus, this hands-on course offered me the chance to not only learn how to braze metal, miter tubes and design a bicycle frame geometry from scratch, it also let me make my own bicycle fork, which is not common at a in a bicycle frame building course.
I brought my own safety glasses right out of my Opa's old workshop. I like It was special to give them a new project to work on, especially one that my Opa would probably be really proud of.
I also brought my BMC Time Machine Road bike to Tucson so that I could ride this part of Arizona's most renowned cycling routes, including The Loop cycling trail, and Mount Lemmon!
To learn more about the Bicycle Frame Building School in Tucson, and to sign up for a steel bike frame building course, or for their carbon frame building course, visit www.framebuildingschool.com.
Thank you to Robin Villa and Martini Cycles for making this exciting, enriching and eye opening experience possible. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Пікірлер: 113

  • @heyimamaker
    @heyimamaker2 күн бұрын

    This has been a dream of mine, and just today looked back at notes from over 10 years ago. Gotta make this happen!

  • @Choltec
    @Choltec2 жыл бұрын

    This is honestly really inspiring. I had no idea that this kind of experience was so accessible!

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Caleb! I'd heard of a few other frame building options but this one was right for me because of a few reasons: we got to build the fork (that's usually not the case at other schools), plus the class size is super intimate. I got all of the time I needed with the instructor, plus I could really learn a lot from Nathan's (my classmate) build too. I also liked being able to stay right where I was doing the course too. Sometimes I did a little extra work after class and there was a ton of cool things to explore, especially books on a whole bunch of neat things :)

  • @dontthinkso8533

    @dontthinkso8533

    Жыл бұрын

    me either, I live here. just hope i can afford it.

  • @ev-ezaye3580

    @ev-ezaye3580

    11 ай бұрын

    ​@@LexAlbrechtx37Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience! It is something quite up my alley and I'd love the opportunity to jump right on! Hopefully in due time. Dave is real chill fellow, shout-outs to him!

  • @aurteekay6339
    @aurteekay6339Ай бұрын

    You picked some wild dropouts 😂 to each their own. I prefer a more sideways V with opening facing toward the back shaped drop out the most so I can easily loosen my rear wheel if my chain catches any extra unwanted slack I can just pull back on my rear wheel until the chain has perfect tension easily without having to hold the bike up at a weird angle and fight with the drop out just to tighten my chain. It’s the easiest, fastest, and most inexpensive way for a person to adjust chain tension back to perfect according to your preference. I think it’s cool you took the time to learn not just to build a bike but actually BUILD BUILD A BIKE like not just put on some aftermarket parts and actually designed a real personal bike. Respect.

  • @gren509
    @gren509 Жыл бұрын

    Fanstatic ! A well paced vid on the whole experience, and you are obviously a very competent engineer. I don't want to sound like a "Dude", but I hope it will inspire more women to get involved in engineering as there are not enough right now.

  • @bigaspaulo
    @bigaspaulo Жыл бұрын

    That was incredibly fun to watch! How awesome that you now have your own custom steel framed bike, I know that you will both thrash it and cherish it in equal measures. Ride it in good health.

  • @SkyhawkSteve
    @SkyhawkSteve Жыл бұрын

    Quite a while back, I recall Dave Bohm popping into the Classic Rendezvous google group. He was doing some amazing stainless lug work! Very ornate, and all cut with jewelers saw blades and files, IIRC. Incredible stuff! Glad that he is still building frames and sharing his knowledge!

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    Жыл бұрын

    It's such a privilege to get to learn from Dave, he's a real master. That is so cool that you know of him, and have seen his awesome work. Dave is so meticulous and skilled!

  • @baronvondrais1486
    @baronvondrais14862 жыл бұрын

    This is awesome - I can't wait to see the whole bike built!

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, I am really excited to get it all put together :)

  • @russellbaker4256
    @russellbaker4256Ай бұрын

    That must have been so satisfying to build _steel is real_

  • @chuckrodgers4780
    @chuckrodgers47802 ай бұрын

    What a great video ! Wish you had continued making videos , I would love to see how your new frame finished up and hear your thoughts on riding it.

  • @Mike-tf9rx
    @Mike-tf9rx10 ай бұрын

    My God, what a once in a lifetime opportunity!! Way to go kiddo! Thanks for the video.

  • @lornespry
    @lornespry8 ай бұрын

    A really well-done presentation! I wish I could have the same opportunity. Thanks!

  • @JogieGlenMait16
    @JogieGlenMait169 ай бұрын

    It's a great option for people who might be advancing in age or recovering from a knee issue.

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    4 ай бұрын

    Very true!

  • @EnriqueCubillo
    @EnriqueCubillo Жыл бұрын

    Reminds me of all the book binding schooling I took at CBA in NYC. I'd love to attend some day. Make myself a VeloSpiking frame. Thanks for posting this and showing us all. Super cool.

  • @patreilly4293
    @patreilly42937 ай бұрын

    Thanks for a very enjoyable video!

  • @markmoffett6813
    @markmoffett6813 Жыл бұрын

    That was wonderful. Thanks for sharing this I had no idea this type of thing was available. I think your video is pretty unique. Thanks again. Mark from Maryland

  • @TheDougMan3
    @TheDougMan34 ай бұрын

    I’ve been looking into this recently because I need a big change in my life and I love bikes, so being able to make them would be an amazing skill. When I have enough money I’ll get into a course like this, I’m starting to learn bike cad now but it’s slow progress so far haha 😂

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    4 ай бұрын

    As soon as you can - do it. It's an amazing experience and the cost is actually pretty unbelievable, especially considering what you get out of the experience, the tools and material you'll get to use, plus you'll have a bike frame at the end :)!

  • @thegoodwheel
    @thegoodwheel Жыл бұрын

    This was great!

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @abyss5400
    @abyss54002 ай бұрын

    8:29 Goated look

  • @mikeydizme1
    @mikeydizme18 ай бұрын

    So cool! Good for you!

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @bulgieR
    @bulgieR4 ай бұрын

    Your enthusiasm is infectious (in the good way!) Well-made video too, great editing, it never bogs down. I could stand some more detail, but I'm not complaining.

  • @raub710
    @raub71011 ай бұрын

    so interesting ! thanks...

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks glad you liked it!

  • @OffTheBlacktop
    @OffTheBlacktop2 ай бұрын

    It was great to see the finished product.

  • @user-ho4rv6kg8u
    @user-ho4rv6kg8u4 ай бұрын

    Impressive. Must be a good teacher. And a good student ....

  • @david100483
    @david100483 Жыл бұрын

    This looks like such cool experience, thanks for sharing! ✌️ 🚴 🍻

  • @walbertovillanueva3980
    @walbertovillanueva39803 ай бұрын

    Excellent training, tool and materials, thank you very much for sharing

  • @JackMott
    @JackMott3 ай бұрын

    oh hey! I met you a few times when my wife dabbled in pro racing. good to see you up to interesting bike stuff still!

  • @andrewkummer5656
    @andrewkummer5656 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful experience. Hope to do this too one day.

  • @rolandberendonck3900
    @rolandberendonck3900 Жыл бұрын

    Wow! this was such a fun video to watch 😃

  • @turningupdb
    @turningupdb11 ай бұрын

    This was really interesting! You do a great job of presenting!

  • @vibrationofmyfrequency
    @vibrationofmyfrequency9 ай бұрын

    Такое крутое видео 😀 Супер 👏 Спасибо за проделанную работу .

  • @benc8386
    @benc8386 Жыл бұрын

    Looks like you did a great job!

  • @blende5.693
    @blende5.693 Жыл бұрын

    A St. Pauli shirt from my favorite germany soccer club 👍

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    4 ай бұрын

    This frame now has a St. Pauli paintjob too. I'll show the final build someday soon :).

  • @klifwommack8804
    @klifwommack88044 ай бұрын

    Great video!

  • @benjaminhughes3948
    @benjaminhughes394810 ай бұрын

    That’s really cool!

  • @MrJepo100
    @MrJepo100 Жыл бұрын

    very cool video, you're a natural

  • @Toops73
    @Toops732 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely, looking forward to the paint work, components you choose

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    2 жыл бұрын

    I am really excited too. I have the logo graphic done up, thanks to the help from the guys at Post Ride Podcast: kzread.info/dron/aaZ6PDqpUwy5Qc5MJS-tLA.html

  • @briantruck2284
    @briantruck228411 ай бұрын

    Very nice experience

  • @teeterboy3
    @teeterboy32 жыл бұрын

    I’m so happy you got this video up!! I’ve been waiting for it ever since you posted the Instagram snippets.

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing the excitement, John! I'll do some more updates as I find the components and figure out the paint job!

  • @marccarter1350
    @marccarter1350 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for posting this, i really enjoyed watching¬!

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    4 ай бұрын

    I'm so glad, thanks! I really enjoyed doing the class!

  • @peterm.7497
    @peterm.74972 жыл бұрын

    I'm so jealous. It looks awesome. I want to try this, but I have OCD, so I know I will want to purchase$10,000 worth of jigs and welding tools to design at home.

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    2 жыл бұрын

    OMG you would so love this class..

  • @scottcopeland7457
    @scottcopeland74578 ай бұрын

    Well done. I’d love to see the finished product.

  • @chetmyers7041
    @chetmyers70416 ай бұрын

    Amazing class experience. Thanks for sharing your frame build.

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!! I couldn't agree more that it's an amazing class experience.

  • @arvinl
    @arvinl Жыл бұрын

    This is so cool! I need to see if classes or similar experience in midwest. Thanks for sharing. safe travels

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    4 ай бұрын

    The trip to Tucson is well worth it, if you can! There's a big airport in town, the accommodations are affordable and comfortable and it makes for an overall super experience.

  • @CDMJDMHHC
    @CDMJDMHHC9 ай бұрын

    it must very fulfilling in this world of swipe/tap your card/phone etc. to build a total bike frame from the ground up!

  • @LowGearDisciple
    @LowGearDisciple2 жыл бұрын

    Lex, looking forward to when the frame is built up.

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    2 жыл бұрын

    Me too, me too!!

  • @lizzypicardi
    @lizzypicardi2 жыл бұрын

    Great channel, II was going to sign up for this specific WORKSHOP! Subbed and liked. Thanks!

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    2 жыл бұрын

    Lizzy, I'm stoked for you, you're going to love the Frame Building School, really!!

  • @lizzypicardi

    @lizzypicardi

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@LexAlbrechtx37 I AM SO EXCITED I WANT TO GO NOW!

  • @yardsalecycles
    @yardsalecycles2 жыл бұрын

    11 days??? DAM that sick .... would love to build my own frame

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    2 жыл бұрын

    Pretty wild huh? Totally recommend it if you have the time. It's such a cool experience and exciting to have your own bike that you actually built!

  • @mom_im_losing_it
    @mom_im_losing_it Жыл бұрын

    It’s only warm during the day.

  • @MaQuGo119
    @MaQuGo11911 ай бұрын

    Sweet

  • @rickg8015
    @rickg8015 Жыл бұрын

    This is cool.. Reminds me of Yamaguchi’s school..

  • @vollewestervelt7354
    @vollewestervelt7354 Жыл бұрын

    Super fantastic🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴

  • @Thomass7586
    @Thomass7586 Жыл бұрын

    Cool 👍🚴

  • @Perkeletricksterservantofrher
    @Perkeletricksterservantofrher7 ай бұрын

    That was actually really cool. Just unfortunate you didnt show off the bike -___-

  • @killroy123
    @killroy123 Жыл бұрын

    You're adorable and this was a super cool video!

  • @LongTunic
    @LongTunic Жыл бұрын

    Nice

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @ashrafishak
    @ashrafishak Жыл бұрын

    Would really love to see what you've done to your steel frame.

  • @johnrobertd748
    @johnrobertd7484 ай бұрын

    I hope David Bohm is teaching someone who can continue the business if something were to happen to him.

  • @lazlo2511
    @lazlo251111 ай бұрын

    Need an update on this machine

  • @user-hx2xl2ug5g
    @user-hx2xl2ug5g7 ай бұрын

    Salut Lex, Belle expérience ! mais avez-vous finalement roulé sur ce vélo ? J'ai une question: dans la vidéo, à 3:01, vous feuilletez un livre. J'aimerais bien connaître la référence de ce livre. Cordialement, Thierry.

  • @hanschristianwolffdr.1635
    @hanschristianwolffdr.163511 ай бұрын

    How comes you've got a St. Pauli Shirt in Arizona?👍🏾⚽️⚽️

  • @RenghisKhan
    @RenghisKhan11 ай бұрын

    Very cool video. Tucson is a bit out of my neighborhood but I'm gonna try to find a place on my side of the Atlantic where I can follow in your pedal strokes. What really boggles my mind though is the following; how does a Canadian cyclist building her own bike in Arizona get to wear a Sankt Pauli shirt? I hope your collar bone healed well, been there, done it twice.

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks! If you can make it to Tucson, this school is definitely really cool, one of a kind! The bike design (aesthetics) is inspired a lot by my Opa who was a wizard with building, creating, fixing, ... especially metal things. This course gave me the chance to use a lot of tools that I saw in his garage. My Oma and Opa were sailors (Oma still loves going out on the water) and their boat was named St. Pauli. I was so excited to try my hand at working with metal like my grandfather, plus I think I like riding bikes as much as my grandparents love sailing so I thought it would be cool for my bike to be inspired by them. The shirt just fits with the theme ;). (I spotted it in Spain and bought it from a shop, there)

  • @davehause8571
    @davehause85718 ай бұрын

    What type of steel tubing was used for your frame?

  • @peterm.7497
    @peterm.74972 жыл бұрын

    Did you find Lionel Sanders on Mt. Lemon?

  • @manfredrosenberger6016
    @manfredrosenberger60162 жыл бұрын

    at 1:10 ... rattleCAD 😊

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    2 жыл бұрын

    Good eye!

  • @rcking911
    @rcking911 Жыл бұрын

    where did u gooo

  • @vollewestervelt7354
    @vollewestervelt7354 Жыл бұрын

    why are you not the cover girl for bicycling magazine for perpetuity?

  • @animeshsaha6415
    @animeshsaha6415 Жыл бұрын

    Mam where to buy different parts? I.e all the parts that you braze on like dropouts etc

  • @animeshsaha6415

    @animeshsaha6415

    Жыл бұрын

    I need to know

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    Жыл бұрын

    @@animeshsaha6415 I think from Paragon!

  • @mom_im_losing_it
    @mom_im_losing_it Жыл бұрын

    Does he do track bikes?

  • @davidbohm8294

    @davidbohm8294

    Жыл бұрын

    Of course I do! First love really.

  • @user-wu8zo8bg1q
    @user-wu8zo8bg1q5 ай бұрын

    موت عليج وعلى خلفيتج حلوة عسل اني من العراق وعاشقج ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @leviathanbathory6903
    @leviathanbathory6903 Жыл бұрын

    Why not tig weld it??

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    Жыл бұрын

    welding requires more heat than brazing, which is part of why it is a little more touchy than brazing. It easy to go right through the tubes which totally compromises their integrity.

  • @leviathanbathory6903

    @leviathanbathory6903

    Жыл бұрын

    I’m a tig welder, that not true. You can control heat. I weld stainless steel as thin as 18 gauge.. I’m guessing the tubes are at least 16 gauge.

  • @davidbohm8294

    @davidbohm8294

    Жыл бұрын

    We don't really use gauge in frame building, it's measured in metric but the equivalent would be 20-22 gauge. Honestly, how long did it take you to get good enough to weld thin stainless without blowing holes? Then, how am I supposed to teach someone with no welding experience to do that in days? That is why we start with brazing.

  • @216Numbskull

    @216Numbskull

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@@davidbohm8294 Exactly, of all the different types of welding TIG is the most difficult weld to learn. Even when you have a little bit of training under your belt & think you've got it down pat. You still need to keep your skills up & do it on a regular basis in order to be any good at it. TIG is much harder to learn then MIG, stick or brazing, no bout a doubt it! It's really a learning class on it's own you'd have to take to teach. Keep on keeping on! I dig what you're doing my friend. ++Peace & Rock n' Roll 4 Your Soul++

  • @user-ho4rv6kg8u

    @user-ho4rv6kg8u

    4 ай бұрын

    @@leviathanbathory6903 "I’m a tig welder, that not true" are you contradicting yourself?

  • @adam1885282
    @adam18852822 жыл бұрын

    I think I'd be annoyed spending money for a frame building class and not practicing welding

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    2 жыл бұрын

    Well, welding and brazing are practically the same thing! That was one of the things that I enjoyed learning :). Brazing uses a second metal to attach two of the same types of metal together. Welding involves only one type of metal. Welding is a little touchier for bike building because it's too easy to burn right through the frame tubes, which would either compromise the integrity of the frame, or scrap it all together, right away!

  • @davidbohm3829

    @davidbohm3829

    2 жыл бұрын

    I understand but honestly....Framebuilding is not welding! I spend less time welding than any other part of the process (about 45 minutes out of 30+ hours). I actually have had a number of professional career welders here and although they have a leg up on those without experience they actually have a hard time. Welding/brazing 20 thou wall is unlike anything they have experienced in their careers before and they are surprised by the amount of other work involved.

  • @howardkurtus7069
    @howardkurtus7069 Жыл бұрын

    you look like reina scully if she were white

  • @enabledintergers9372
    @enabledintergers9372 Жыл бұрын

    this why we never progress!!! same thing over and over again!!!! even the equipment is ancient!

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    Жыл бұрын

    Wait... I don't think I can agree with you on this one; I don't know what you're talking about. There are wild progressions that have and are being made in bicycle manufacturing. Plus, some of the foundations and principles will never change. This was a super enjoyable and enlightening experience :)

  • @enabledintergers9372

    @enabledintergers9372

    Жыл бұрын

    @@LexAlbrechtx37 1st of all we dont have to agree, just like not everyone will select round pipe. For their whole entire built?Or stay in a symmetrical vs a asymmetrical more complex radius shape ? or what about a different type of upgrade on GEARS!!?? Or what about adding a motor? my perspective is just one opinion? but when building something, it has to uniform it self in that fabrication of uniqueness that no one else has. But you?

  • @LexAlbrechtx37

    @LexAlbrechtx37

    Жыл бұрын

    @@enabledintergers9372 I'm sorry, I'm having trouble understanding the comment!

  • @eternaloptimist2840

    @eternaloptimist2840

    11 ай бұрын

    ​@@LexAlbrechtx37The space aliens are never going to reveal themselves to us if we still build steel bike frames as if it's the nineteenth century. Apparently.

  • @Coyg2023
    @Coyg2023 Жыл бұрын

    wanted to know how your post staple days went after the collarbone surgery 🥲. You didn't make any videos for that 😅

  • @deepinurmom8159
    @deepinurmom8159 Жыл бұрын

    😁