As a lifelong cycling fan who is a few years from retirement I am contemplating training to become a framebuilder. Steel frames, road track and mtb. I don't need to make loads of money, I know I'm not going to get rich, but it would be a great occupation for me in many ways.
Your thoughts?
if you have a clear vision for what you're trying to build, the skills and tools to realise it and a market that's willing to pay you to do it then why not?
there's an increasing number of frame builders about in the UK - go to the bespoke bike show in Bristol and see what they're doing?
Well you've got the username for it, at least.
postmans syndrome?
I've often thought about that as I have a background in steel fabrication and design, but I guess it's a hard trade to get into with not many opportunities.
Good luck.
What's/will be your niche as WWW says, seems to be a fair few now covering pretty much all levels of bespoke.
brand it right, you'll win. look at how much old steel road frames go for these days to the urban trendy.
Just give it a go. There are courses you can enrol on if that helps, maybe try building something to your tastes as a starting point.
If you can make it a hobby that might make some money then yes. If you would need to rely on it to make a living then be very cautious.
I think yo would need a usp as well to distinguish yourself from the other more established people around
Have you a background in engineering and do you know what makes a good/bad frame?
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Yes I have a previous career in engineering, and as a big fan of Robin Mather and Steven Shand, I'd like to go down that route.
My niche would initially have to be quality for a good price.
To be successful in any business you have to be totally commited, not just building frames, but marketing, development etc.
Don't underestimate it.
I suggest employing TJ as your brand manager 
Accepting you won't make a lot of money is probably a good start!
Have you got a background in Engineering, existing fabricating skills, apprenticeship?
Where are you planning on training? Might be hard to find an apprenticeship with a framebuilder which would be the proper inroad if you have no experience in metalwork. A 1 week course to make a frame is a good start but doesen't exactly qualify you 
. I'd probably have more faith in a builder with the pre-existing skills to work it out himself (without needing a specific course).
After "training" you will need to make a lot of practice frames for friends etc before being confident to sell to the public.
Have you built one before? It can be quite labour intensive, slow, laborious work, especially if producing in enough volume to make a living.
I've built a few frames but certainly in no hurry to make it a career. If you do the research, a lot of the American builders also have a day job.
What are the liability implications if someone bins it due to failure of a frame you built?
What are the liability implications if someone bins it due to failure of a frame you built?
That applies to the most skilled and experienced frame builders too. Insurance
yossarian - MemberI suggest employing TJ as your brand manager
I suggest you focus on urban utility bike as that's where the market is heading in future but you need to be very creative.
What you do not have to worry with urban utility is the problems of getting the angle right for suspension or full suspension.
Like this here.
Listen to Norman Taylor at about 5:40
"... taught about 30 lads to build frames over the last 50 years..... only about one in ten [lads] have been any good...."
What are the liability implications if someone bins it due to failure of a frame you built?
This is why all(?) businesses have liability insurance just in case.
I think it will be difficult to make any money after paying for equipment, advertising etc, what's your profit per frame and how many do you think you'll sell ? That doesn't mean you shouldn't do it for fun but I suspect there is something else bike related which would be enjoyable and make a bit more money.
Where do you live ?
I might suggest hooking up with a local builder with too much work to handle.
A lad I know has just set up in business building frames.
look at how much old steel road frames go for these days to
Those of us who dont like aluminium and carbon
Thankyou all very much for your input so far. Many points have been raised that are genuinely worth consideration. I have a plan, some unique ideas and some great support. (I knew my kids would come in handy one day!)
But there's nothing like hearing other peoples' perspective. Thanks again.
Shand tells me it's v tough to make any money at it...as TJ says, a USP may help, but your work would have to be good.
I can be your first custom urban utility bike genuine pig if you want ... 
Learn Chinese & get a passport.
Learn Chinese & get a passport.
....and go on a carbon laminating course
Article in WMB October 2011 no 127 called "Frame Academy"
Probably just committed forum heresy on STW
My ill-considered and poorly thought out opinion:
There is a particular generation of cyclists out there at the moment for whom a steel frame represents something important. They have grown up wanting one, but have settled for aluminium intially for a price/availability reason.
The advent of carbon frames may have hoovered up some of their desire, but that custom steel frame is still seen as desirable by these folk, who now have the cash and the insight to get one.
As cycling has become aspirational, maybe even middle class, perhaps the new golf, so the market for steel and custom steel has been maintained.
...but...
This desire is confined to a particular age range, despite the retro appeal of steel frames, and so I suspect that the market for such frames is already well supplied. If you are one of the old guard, with a history, with a track record, with the kit and the connections, you can do ok.
But I suspect that it is a changing scene, and as the steel is real boys get what they want, the market for custom steel will contract.
Not a viable business proposition in my honest opinion, more of a hobby.
....and go on a carbon laminating course
AND FORGET BICYCLES...and work in motorsport or Carbon garden gnomes you will make more money. Even the Chinese are looking at reducing costs and to that end there might not be a lot of laminating going on soon just loading charges into moulds.
Building a frame is the easy peasy part.
Richard sachs has an ace blog which puts it into perspective.
http://www.richardsachs.com/site/2012/01/20/downsize-the-fantasy/
I'm not trying to put you off but Its well worth a read
Do it if your passion is there or die thinking of what if scenario ...
Just make sure you put aside some of your money for safety net.
Work hard, be creative, not greedy and you should be fine.
Build bikes that housewives will ride - a potential market that can be tapped better as the current range are shite. Same apply to gentleman urban utility.
Urban utility but must not be too quirky or expensive with complicated parts like suspension or full suspension. Use steel but not high grade steel like 853. Something tank like but cheap-ish with a modern twist to it. Keep it simple but multi-purpose with plenty of "modules" upgrade. i.e. produce a base model that can be upgraded as required.
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