Irish Frame builders

justo

Can anyone recommend a custom frame builder in Ireland?

penexpers

Open to correction but I don't believe there are any framebuilders left in Ireland. There are some in England, Merlin, Enigma and Bob Jackson are the names that come to mind.

rottenhat

Plenty more than that in the UK...Dave Yates, Chas Roberts, Robin Mather off the top of my head, though Robin Mather might be retired.

feck sake lads

i what about Dessie May rapparee cycles is he still making frames.
just curious what type frame are you after.

justo

feck sake lads wrote: »

i what about Dessie May rapparee cycles is he still making frames.
just curious what type frame are you after.

I've been getting prices for an frame which could be used as an 'every day' bike for commuting and could also be used for light touring. The cost in England is upwards of €600 which includes specific measurements and choice of colours (steel frames).

They have fairly long waiting lists tho... and I'd like to buy Irish if the quality was there.

justo

feck sake lads wrote: »

i what about Dessie May rapparee cycles is he still making frames.
just curious what type frame are you after.

what's Dessie May? I can't find any reference on Google.

RobFowl

justo wrote: »

what's Dessie May? I can't find any reference on Google.

Mustn't exist then

Try Maye, I think it is spelled that way.

Good few of them still about but haven't seen a new one in the last 5 years.

feck sake lads

justo wrote: »

what's Dessie May? I can't find any reference on Google.

sorry justo i did spell the name wrong
i too am looking at getting a custom touring frame built but yeah it will cost ,try Bob Jackson world traveller frame £495 off the peg class looking bike and has a great name in the uk as a top builder.

justo

feck sake lads wrote: »

sorry justo i did spell the name wrong
i too am looking at getting a custom touring frame built but yeah it will cost ,try Bob Jackson world traveller frame £495 off the peg class looking bike and has a great name in the uk as a top builder.

cheers.

I've been in touch with Bob Jackson. I'd consider a day trip to Leeds for the measure if I decide to go that route. They do have a 5 month waiting list (no recession in the UK?).

I must look at the 'world traveller' now.

justo

justo wrote: »

cheers.

I've been in touch with Bob Jackson. I'd consider a day trip to Leeds for the measure if I decide to go that route. They do have a 5 month waiting list (no recession in the UK?).

I must look at the 'world traveller' now.

http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=43

Slick. Note the cost is inclusive of VAT which is deducted if bought from outside UK.

Morgan

feck sake lads wrote: »

i what about Dessie May rapparee cycles is he still making frames.

Here's one:
http://carlowcity.olx.ie/vintage-road-racing-bike-rapparee-frame-hand-built-in-dublin-iid-10990338

They don't seem to have a "web presence".

feck sake lads

justo wrote: »

cheers.

I've been in touch with Bob Jackson. I'd consider a day trip to Leeds for the measure if I decide to go that route. They do have a 5 month waiting list (no recession in the UK?).

I must look at the 'world traveller' now.

another super builder is Paul Villiers his bike's is a work of art £1000 for custom frame this is the guy i'm thinking of getting to build my dream bike;)

if you do go the bob jackson route will you let me know how you got on thanks.

papac

justo wrote: »

http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=43

Slick. Note the cost is inclusive of VAT which is deducted if bought from outside UK.

My understanding is that it would only be supplied VAT free within EU if you were registered for VAT and it was a business purchase.
Outside of the EU everyone gets it vat free afaik.

justo

feck sake lads wrote: »

another super builder is Paul Villiers his bike's is a work of art £1000 for custom frame this is the guy i'm thinking of getting to build my dream bike;)

if you do go the bob jackson route will you let me know how you got on thanks.

Most deff.

It's a bit off at the moment.

I've been inspired by Robert Penn's book 'It's all about the bike' - but I don't think I'm in the same category!! He bought Campagnolo Record group set for his dream bike. Great read btw.

Crow92

I know this is an old thread, but are there definitely no frame builders left in Ireland? Rapparee cycles I saw in two posts. I ask as someone who would be interested in learning about frame building in the future more than having one built for me. Someone who works with Steel preferably.

fat bloke

Loads of great Irish frames available.

It's the finishing kits are the problem:pac:

CramCycle

Crow92 wrote: »

I know this is an old thread, but are there definitely no frame builders left in Ireland? Rapparee cycles I saw in two posts. I ask as someone who would be interested in learning about frame building in the future more than having one built for me. Someone who works with Steel preferably.

There was a guy in the Uk who took you on for a week and taught you the basics, you needed to know a few things yourself such as welding etc before you went. The course included food etc but you had to bring/pay for your own steel and you would keep anything you built over the week.

Dave Yates runs a course as well but he is not the guy I am thinking of, his is alot more pricey.

Crow92

I've seen two guys, (yates may of been one) that run courses in the uk, over 1000 euro + flights + food+ accommadation is a bit pricey for me atm. Thats the reason I want to keep it in Ireland, or dublin prefferably.

If that fails I might try and get some welding experience and then try it myself at some stage. Did some welding in school but it's been 2 years since.

cdaly_

If you're interested in improving your welding, DIT Bolton St. run an evening welding course over about 4 or 5 months. 3 hours one evening per week, materials and equipment supplied. You can work in steel, stainless or aluminium. Cost around €400 IIRC...

CramCycle

cdaly_ wrote: »

If you're interested in improving your welding, DIT Bolton St. run an evening welding course over about 4 or 5 months. 3 hours one evening per week, materials and equipment supplied. You can work in steel, stainless or aluminium. Cost around €400 IIRC...

Prices have gone up AFAIK to 660 + 135capitation ie 795 in total.

feck sake lads

my son in law was interested in frame building but trying to get help in Ireland forget it, he is a welder fitter by trade we tried loads of different places even Dave yates which is a bit of a joke he may be good but way to expensive for what he teaches..your best bet if your serious is America loads of excellent framebuilders that are willing to help .well thats what we found ,des maye is retired even so he is not willing to let any of his secrets go nore sell any of his jigs .
try getting in contact with Paul Villiers in the uk, he is an excellent frame builder and might just be willing to put you on track as to how to go about getting started.best of luch you will need it and a lot of patience.;)

papac

A lot of well known frame builders are self taught.(Before the internet made it easier.)
If you have good diy skills and are prepared to do your research then you can just have a go I reckon.
I am considering trying it to pass away the winter evenings. Minimal special tools required if you are creative.

For less than the cost of doing a course you could buy four or five tubesets and learn by experience.
Lots of stuff online.
e.g
http://www.framebuilding.com/Tubeandpartsbundle.htm
http://www.littlefishbicycles.com/frame/materials.html

Advice from some of the worlds best builders here. I found these guys really helpful when I was drawing up some designs a few years back.
http://forums.mtbr.com/frame-building/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWJhW913Ykc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pot6W8eQcv4

EDIT. If you scroll to the bottom of that Ceeway link you will find a list of cheap practice parts. These would allow you to practise your brazing before you actually start building.