How big is Portland’s framebuilding reputation?
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on October 13th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
With 24 builders (at last count) currently plying their trade in Portland, this city is the epicenter for America’s bike-making renaissance.
What do builders from other places think about that? Ask 15-year framebuilding legend Curtis Inglis of Napa, California-based Inglis/Retrotec Cycles. Or better yet, check out the T-shirt he was wearing at the Oregon Manifest show…
UPDATE: Here’s my current list of Portland-based bike builders. If you know of others not on this list, please let me know.
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October 13th, 2008 13:53
funny. i'm starting to wonder if the rising cost of living in portland will eventually catch up to the bicycle-building trade.
October 14th, 2008 00:12
Really more like 33 or 34 frame builders in town.
October 14th, 2008 07:54
Peter,
I think cost of living will catch up. However I think they will remain what they are; The custom car of bikes. As more folks get into cycling as a way of life the broader the consumer base will get. I would think most people really want something that is a one of a kind, something created specifically for them. If you look at the cost of a custom frame with carved lugs, the personal paint job and a good component set up comared to the average luxury car...well ones under 5000, ones not. You also have the ability buy the frame then upgrade compmonets. Not so easy with motorized transpotation. Moreover, it's functional art.
October 14th, 2008 10:42
Is there a list of all the Portland framebuilders with links to their websites?
thanks,matt
October 14th, 2008 10:53
"Is there a list of all the Portland framebuilders with links to their websites?"
I've got one on my links page Matt... but i just realized after my recent software upgrade the page is not longer organized like it used to me.
for now, you can see a list of the portland-based builders in the sidebar just to right of these comments.
October 14th, 2008 11:48
there are links to the websites of all the builders that participated at the Oregon Manifest web page.
October 14th, 2008 20:53
But when the economy collapses, everything will be handmade right? Don't worry about cost of living... buy local.=)
October 15th, 2008 09:56
Hi Jonathan
Just to clarify. I have been building bike for 15 years and not all of that was full time.
It was good to come up and join all the Oregon builders at the show.
October 15th, 2008 10:00
thanks Curtis. i've edited the story. great chatting with you at the show by the way. keep in touch.
October 16th, 2008 18:52
if the economy collapses, everything might be handmade, but no one will be able to afford it. We will ALL become craftpersons at that point. =)