BUILDING A CUSTOM STEEL BICYCLE FROM SCRATCH! Fillet brazing a bare tubeset and complete assembly!

[@notundermywatch3163]

I have went through about a dozen videos watching this man lubricate cables, put new tubes in new tires and adjust limit screws wondering if I was ever going to see him display true skills and then I stumbled upon this.

[@Kelekona_808]

Ellis's wife's bike is a stunner!

[@williambarry8015]

Both of those bikes were absolute stunners. Screw going to an art museum unless its filled up with those things.

[@incrediblerp]

Hey man, I hope you don't mind me saying but your wife's bike is hot.

[@tlrk71]

I'm not a real bike mechanic but I like to play bike mechanic and I love to watch your videos and listen to you talk why I work on my bikes don't change a thing thank you

[@jeffdavis6275]

was neat to hear your admiration of the builder & thye excitement in your voice as build progressed

[@Imsopathetic]

This guy is the Bob Ross of bicycles.

[@WaltJubal]

I'm always glad to see someone else that runs SPD Mtb pedals on a road bike.... Gives you the positive feel of pedal engagement, and lets you run walkable (mtb) shoes.

[@toddh4491]

Waterford has closed shop but glad you're still here. As a steel rider myself, your channel makes me happy.

[@RockinRiosRidez]

Watching this while miserable at work made me feel better. I love all the attention to detail and it came out great 👍

[@ralphcostello7990]

Ralph from South Wales. NOW that is a thing of beauty, 🙏

[@TheRickurb]

Super cool! I would’ve been scared to death to start putting that together. Afraid to scratch it or something. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bike built from start to finish like this. Very very cool! Ride it in good health!

[@57boomer44]

I love the fork crown.

[@CanyonWanderer]

🤩That is one of the nicest bikes I've seen in years! Those components, even down to the cable housing, a joy to watch this. Enjoy many nice rides on this one. I never realised that (hard) soldering could yield such nice and strong joints, very pretty. The colours match very well between frame, aluminium, hoods and bar tape, stunning... My first road bike (bought with hard earned cash from delivering newspapers) was a Peugeot H10? with drop bars, similar hoods, 2x5 gearing with down tube friction shifters and similar aluminium parts, loved it until it got stolen 13 years down the line ... Obviously that was long time ago 🙂, but this brought back memories of that bike

[@irondistance4313]

Love this one you inspired me to try Randoneuring did my first 200k brevet in august now I bought a Bilenky club racer tour lite steel bike I should have it in a couple of weeks and I can’t wait thanks for making this content

[@dinodaniel2237]

Nothing beats the ride of a well made steel road bike. You did a great job on the build. The bar end shifter give it a classic look. Looking forward to your next video. All the best!

[@chrisjackson9978]

Interesting build. Have a 1960 Goeland 650B Randonneuse and wanted something more modern for touring, as the old Goeland is only original once. I'm based in Europe but bought a Velo Routier 1 from Cycles Toussaint in Canada. Bought the Toei fork blades from Compass Cycles and had a new fork made for the VR which overcame the problem of the very stiff fork. I also didn't like their rack and attachment system, as I was using an original TA rack with MAFAC Raid brakes. Surprised at you putting an 11 speed cassette on your bike. I put 8 speed on mine with a Stronglight Impact triple chainset. Mudguards/fenders are Gilles Berthoud as are the saddle, mirror and handlebar plugs. I used Velox cloth tape which I coated in shallac as per French practice. Bike rides very well and I got the forks built to take a Tubus low rider rack for front panniers. Hope to be back in Normandy on it next summer for a few weeks of touring catching the ferry from Dublin to Cherbourg.

[@Jbzy3000]

This bike is beautiful. The frames are my top end for a bike purchase.

[@mastermetalshredder]

Dude this thing is sweet! This might be my favorite video yet, stoked on this one!!

[@Ecualogic]

That is beautiful, what craftsmanship! Smooth lines, overall perfect!

[@CL-dh2mf]

Wow! I didnt expect the bike to look sooo good! Gonna watch the whole thing when I find the time. I also build my own lugged steel frame in a frame building course in Potsdam, Germany called Big Forest Frameworks and the guy Robert is originally from the US. It was challenging, but super fun! Greetings and all the best to you! Christian

[@bkefrmr]

Right on!

[@andrewbobro6094]

Wow. Ellis is actually really, really good. Thats great workmanship. Super high end. Incredible bike!

[@bkefrmr]

One of the best for sure! Top notch! A+++

[@jsrail2410]

That's something else. Awesome skills. Happy biking, greetings from Amsterdam.

[@danielwehner1876]

What a beauty! Congratulations!

[@carloslopez3113]

No puede ser más bonita! Wow… this bike is just perfect, it can’ t be prettier! Congratulations from Madrid, Spain I love your channel!

[@ashley-tm1uk]

man…i love this build!..this is exactly the style of bike i built, but much finer… i am not a big fan of drop bars, but get why they are used for this particular bike… this guy is masterful …i think i’d have to park it in my living room, so i could just admire it when not riding… another great vid!…keep ‘em rolling brother!

[@marchanson711]

Superb build. I enjoyed this video so much. Thank you.

[@james-p]

Ahhh, bloody brilliant! I have fiiinally come to the point where I'm getting a custom bike. I couldn't possibly build it myself as you have done, but seeing the process from frame making to parts hanging and perfecting has been _very_ helpful in informing a few decisions for my bike. Thanks for this!

[@PopaZit]

Really glad to see you sporting the Casio! They really are the best!

[@daverinker]

What a beautiful bike (great build too). I picked up a Waterford road/ fixed lugged dream bike not too long ago, just a dream. Looking to build the rando/ geared forever ride now after learning a bunch building my wife’s Soma Smoothie. Dave Ellis is the name of my elementary school principal, different Dave but I’ll take it as a sign from the bikes gods I should check out the Ritchey inspired (local Im in Rochester MN) Ellis Cycles.

[@bkefrmr]

Charly Tri aka My Bike Guy is the most non-asshole bike mechanic I know, which is weird, because his entire sense of humor is based around being an asshole - also from Rochester, MN

[@andrewwhite7188]

Beautiful frame! Great paint job also! Love old school!

[@BranislavB-hx9zy]

The frame is great craftsmanship and many of the bike parts are to my taste as well. Congratulations on a beautiful classic bike!👌 Greetings from Croatia

[@daviddixon2209]

Beautiful bike. I'd be proud to have it.

[@joesuelter1636]

Wow. Brazing process looks like the bike was pulled up from the Titanic on the forks anyway. It’s a pretty cool process to see. True craftsman. Loved the raw, unpainted frame. Beautiful.

[@rpiereck74]

Very nice, beautiful bike! I'm currently awaiting the final build of a custom frame I commissioned from Marino Bikes in Peru, it will be a flat bar touring bike copying a Thorn Nomad mk3, and built using parts I harvested from a Kube Kathmandu that had a cracked frame, with full XT drivetrain, dynamo hubs, SKS fenders. I'm dying with anticipation to get the frame and finally built a bike made to my own specs. It must be a joy putting the few first miles on your own custom bike!

[@schrodingerthecat]

That really came out as a fantastic bike! I enjoyed very much watching you build it.

[@Brackcycle]

Beautiful bike. I live in a pretty major Drumlin field here in Ontario. Always thought it would be a great name for a bike brand. Nice logo!

[@carlwain7372]

The bike looks amazing dude 🤘 im sure it will serve you well for many years awesome 👌 👏

[@bkefrmr]

I think so too!

[@pietveerman149]

thats a classic looking beauty👏

[@bsrhoad]

It's a work of art!

[@murphykenji]

This should probably be a four part series.

[@bkefrmr]

It just didn’t pan out like that. I’m gonna build my own frame soon. That will likely be a series! Stay tuned!

[@blockhead3654]

Supper cool thanks for your awesome work.

[@sveincatojohansen]

😊😊😊 It's so coool, and well buildt. Realy stunning bike from a bike fan!!! Oslo Norway😊

[@bkefrmr]

Thanks! 😃

[@trevgrooves]

Sick ride! I love the channel!

[@davidstone8312]

Absolutely Awesome

[@jasonwilley8258]

loved the video and really starting to love the look of the steel bikes. making me second guess the big brand carbon I bought a couple years ago...it rides great but I don't race (too slow) and those frames aren't built for adding racks and touring. long days and lots of miles are more enjoyable and you get to enjoy the scenery.

[@natesaltus3001]

That fork/headlight set-up is trick! *chefkiss

[@Dextrimental]

Love the bike shop yappin part. I'm mostly conservative in my political views, my best friend is democratic, and this is how we get along. We take these fun little jabs at each other and neither of us is offended, as we enjoy each others company. That part of the video got you sub'd forever by me.

[@johnnyboy1586]

Loved following the prosses,such a beautiful bike,in must feel great to have something custom built to your specs and not just picking up a bike from a local shop

[@martinspaulo5649]

The french country, enjoy your new bike buddy. 👌

[@jeremyking6146]

incredible!

[@markmoffett6813]

AWESOME !!!!!! 😊

[@busarob3679]

bangin bike build by the way. 👍

[@69Harveyb1]

Glacial Druml;in Trail! Wahoooooooo OMG I want to move back to Wisconsin I rode that track as a kid and later on too. Had to. Lived a mile from it.

[@tonyjennison3199]

Love your quality dynamo, love your build. This is a bike mechanics bike and I just love it. Built myself a traditional tourer recently from a titanium sabbath silk route frame. Hand built 700c tour wheels with hope hubs. Came with 105 gears so I kept them. The one thing that might upset you is that I built it with 11 speed bar end dia compe friction shifters but switched to a 105 flight system last week. Depending how I feel the friction shifters might go back on, I plan to tour on this. If the complicated flight system acts the goat it's friction all the way. Come on subscribe people.

[@bkefrmr]

What you choose for your bike won’t upset me! Needing me to get excited about it might though. 😉 I have Ultegra 11 speed mechanical on the Waterford and it’s the best! Just kinda boring, IMO

[@jonedmonds283]

Great Video!

[@handler00017]

i love this channel

[@bkefrmr]

this channel loves you back!

[@richardb.419]

Gorgeous bike !

[@williambarry8015]

Its a 70s bike. The simplicity of the 70s bikes makes that the best era.

[@WaltJubal]

I'd have clear coated that, to show off the beautiful fillet work.

[@jamesconroy7030]

56:00 Bottle cages magically teleport onto the frame, one of them upside down.

[@dammitdan106]

Silicon Bronze filler rod is nice, may add some flex to the frame. That will come in handy when discontinuities evident in the bottom bracket welds crack after 100,000 miles.

[@MrHandleman123]

I was happy to see you’d switched to flat pedals for the last scene riding over the bridge. I wasn’t loving the clipless pedals on such an otherwise perfectly considered and built bike. Clipless pedals are great for some bikes. But, that’s a bike that begs you to hop on and ride without thinking much about what clothes or shoes you’re wearing. It’s the perfect bike. Clipless pedals are for cyclists. That’s a bike.

[@bbsteel97]

Nice video... Shimano 9 speed stuff is my favorite !! There is cross compatibility across the road and mountain bike drivetrain. What size cassette are you installing ? Are those original sized jockey wheels on the 7700 rear derailleur ??

[@bkefrmr]

7700 GS

[@pentiuman]

14:13 Looks exactly like the finished project if I did the welding. (I have a welder, yet still suck at it).

[@tomnorton8218]

I am enjoying your channel! Hey, I have built a few frames and I would have thought the frame builder would have prepped it.

[@bkefrmr]

He did. I also did.

[@antman5474]

We have builders here in the UK that can do this complete with stove enamel finish. My bike build will require disc brakes though, a 180 front and a little one on the rear. I'll get to that later. I do however require a 40/11 rear with a 50+ up front. Current off the peg frames can't give me that, chainline issues. I run 26x1.25 I'd like a 4 speed but the industry doesn't support that so it'll have to be an 8, seven speed 40/11 not easy to find, 28/12 all day. I'm sick of double shifting and I don't do cadence. I just want the right gear for the terrain. Back to the brakes. If I run rims where I live I'll need new rims every 12 months. I don't go off road but the farm traffic plus lots of rain brings off road to me. It has to be bakes mounted on the hub. It's a necessary practicality. Oh!!! and really good mudguards. F*CK YEAH. and panniers so I can do my weekly shop.

[@simonsmith2794]

Beautiful bike, but I would have thought the headset interface would have been faced by the builder ? , also I think you missed a trick not having a fillet brazed stem to match ? Otherwise the component choice is spot on, love it , hope you enjoy many years of cycling x , and lastly 😊could you tell me the model of saddle please x

[@bkefrmr]

Selle Anatomica

[@joelgraboski9207]

Cool old school Casio...

[@ericeschborn1315]

It may have been stated, or discussed,...but: which shifters are those?

[@bkefrmr]

Rivendell Silver 2

[@busarob3679]

What brand air hose are you using? I have had one similar before working as an aircraft mechanic. I gave it to my bosses wife and can’t remember the name of it.

[@dondonner1095]

Beautiful

[@PlanePower2]

Why did you choose Campagnolo?

[@cr-motube6852]

28:19 friend, does it seem like there is so little grease in that part, not even at the end of the shaft?

[@cr-motube6852]

I use more grease anyway, peace

[@tblakemusic]

What is the purpose of facing the headtube? I'm unfamiliar

[@muzkat101]

Is it remotely possible to do a bike resizing from a large frame to a smaller frame? I feel that this is not a good idea but given that this is a very specific road touring bike I have, it is now oversized for my size; is it possible or not? Aside from the cost, I'm more interested in knowing if it can be done, has been done, and can be done right. It is an '85 Schwinn Voyageur SP frame, made of both Columbus SL & SP tubing... the spec chart says Chrome-moly double-butted. Yeah, I've thought to just have a custom frame built, but thought of this as a first option.

[@blockhead3654]

Where is the dork

[@pj3y55]

Go steady pedalling round those corners with an 80mm drop!

[@cuppfw50]

WHAT TIRES 32 38? What gears up front? What cassette in the back?

[@bkefrmr]

32mm 46/30 11-34 Slow and low, that is the tem-po

[@martindirkzimmer]

I don‘t like the brown, nor the shiny mech or the rim brakes. I really wouldn‘t want this bike. But I sure watched this video from the very beginning to the very end in awe of the craftsmanship. ❤

[@bkefrmr]

My tastes are pretty refined so the consumer offerings usually fall short with me, hence, custom

[@siriosstar4789]

What about itch? could you build a bike completely from Itch ?

[@martindirkzimmer]

Oh, he was itching for this bike! An itch he had to scratch, see.

[@jamesconroy7030]

34:44 Bar end shifters aren't reverse threaded. You just turn the bolt counter clockwise because you're turning it from the tip instead of the head. Just like how you turn a spoke wrench counter clockwise.

[@bkefrmr]

🤓NERD ALERT! 😉

[@jamesconroy7030]

It's just common sense. If that makes me a nerd, so be it.

[@bkefrmr]

@@jamesconroy7030 It’s just a little fun banter. If that makes me a stupid jerk, thanks for the helpful comments!

[@jamesconroy7030]

@@bkefrmr You're welcome.

[@benwigginsbikes]

Where is your shop?

[@smudgemo]

Handmade in Franklin, a half mile from my grade school.

[@StephenMarceau]

Saa-freaking--weet.......

[@bkefrmr]

Thanks hey!

[@sakelleys]

What is thought you were putting in a Persian flaw....LOL

[@Tarmaccyclocross]

In the 80s I raced on a Dutch gazelle AA special 531 tubed bike it was the best bike I’ve ever had. I sold it what an idiot 🥴

[@chrisallen2005]

Back in the early eighties I was given a 531 Raleigh Continental that fit me perfectly. Curse myself to this day for selling it. Sucks to be me.

[@iMadrid11]

Having a specific lightweight steel tube alloy (recipe) no longer in production is a great example of how technology gets forgotten. The person who came up with the lightweight steel alloy will not share the recipe publicly because it’s a trade secret.

[@davidkittle5344]

Absolute bike porn! Gorgeous!!

[@Teguvas]

Should have just clear coated it and left all that brazing on show