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.

[@OffTheBlacktop]

It was great to see the finished product.

[@Choltec]

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

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

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]

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

[@ev-ezaye3580]

​@@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]

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.

[@walbertovillanueva3980]

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

[@russellbaker4256]

That must have been so satisfying to build _steel is real_

[@chuckrodgers4780]

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.

[@SkyhawkSteve]

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]

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!

[@JackMott]

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!

[@gren509]

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.

[@Mike-tf9rx]

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

[@bigaspaulo]

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.

[@baronvondrais1486]

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

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

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

[@mikeydizme1]

So cool! Good for you!

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

Thank you!

[@lornespry]

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

[@TheDougMan3]

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]

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 :)!

[@EnriqueCubillo]

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.

[@JogieGlenMait16]

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

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

Very true!

[@patreilly4293]

Thanks for a very enjoyable video!

[@andrewkummer5656]

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

[@markmoffett6813]

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

[@abyss5400]

8:29 Goated look

[@Toops73]

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

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

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

[@david100483]

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

[@thegoodwheel]

This was great!

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

Thanks!

[@rolandberendonck3900]

Wow! this was such a fun video to watch 😃

[@turningupdb]

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

[@chetmyers7041]

Amazing class experience. Thanks for sharing your frame build.

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

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

[@teeterboy3]

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

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

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

[@raub710]

so interesting ! thanks...

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

Thanks glad you liked it!

[@benc8386]

Looks like you did a great job!

[@user-ho4rv6kg8u]

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

[@arvinl]

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

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

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.

[@bulgieR]

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.

[@klifwommack8804]

Great video!

[@marccarter1350]

Thanks for posting this, i really enjoyed watching¬!

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

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

[@vibrationofmyfrequency]

Такое крутое видео 😀 Супер 👏 Спасибо за проделанную работу .

[@scottcopeland7457]

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

[@briantruck2284]

Very nice experience

[@benjaminhughes3948]

That’s really cool!

[@MrJepo100]

very cool video, you're a natural

[@lizzypicardi]

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

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

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

[@lizzypicardi]

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

[@LowGearDisciple]

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

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

Me too, me too!!

[@peterm.7497]

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]

OMG you would so love this class..

[@CDMJDMHHC]

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

[@blende5.693]

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

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

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

[@MaQuGo119]

Sweet

[@mom_im_losing_it]

It’s only warm during the day.

[@yardsalecycles]

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

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

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!

[@rickg8015]

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

[@ashrafishak]

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

[@Thomass7586]

Cool 👍🚴

[@Perkeletricksterservantofrher]

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

[@LongTunic]

Nice

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

Thanks!

[@vollewestervelt7354]

Super fantastic🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴

[@killroy123]

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

[@user-hx2xl2ug5g]

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.

[@davehause8571]

What type of steel tubing was used for your frame?

[@lazlo2511]

Need an update on this machine

[@RenghisKhan]

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]

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)

[@johnrobertd748]

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

[@hanschristianwolffdr.1635]

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

[@peterm.7497]

Did you find Lionel Sanders on Mt. Lemon?

[@animeshsaha6415]

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

[@animeshsaha6415]

I need to know

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

@@animeshsaha6415 I think from Paragon!

[@rcking911]

where did u gooo

[@vollewestervelt7354]

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

[@manfredrosenberger6016]

at 1:10 ... rattleCAD 😊

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

Good eye!

[@mom_im_losing_it]

Does he do track bikes?

[@davidbohm8294]

Of course I do! First love really.

[@user-wu8zo8bg1q]

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

[@howardkurtus7069]

you look like reina scully if she were white

[@adam1885282]

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

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

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]

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.

[@leviathanbathory6903]

Why not tig weld it??

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

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]

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]

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]

​@@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]

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

[@enabledintergers9372]

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

[@LexAlbrechtx37]

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]

@@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]

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

[@eternaloptimist2840]

​@@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]

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

[@deepinurmom8159]

😁