Framebuilders - List of Mass Framebuilders/Manufacturers?

I know that this forum is more for the discussion of custom, one-off bike frames, but what I'm looking for is something a little different. Maybe someone here can help me.

A friend of mine is looking to start a bike company. Not making the frames himself, but specifying the geometry and details of the frameset and having a third-party manufacture them. He's not interested in making a cheap piece of crap, but rather a high-quality lugged steel frame. Is there anywhere that I can find a listing of bike frame builders that might fit that description? Someone that can handle making maybe a hundred frames at a time...preferrably Italian (although I'd also accept French, Asian, or British)? Please point me in any direction that comes to mind. Thank you.

Again, I apologize if this is the wrong venue for this discussion.

errrr? Why not approach Circle a cycles? Providence Rhode Island. *****in frames.

VTW:)

Circle A makes really nice stuff, but their frames are custom one-offs, and they have an eternal waiting list. I doubt they could handle the volume my friend is looking for. But it's worth a shot.

Please point me in any direction that comes to mind. Thank you.



Here's a link where you might get some ideas:

http://www.damonrinard.com/framebuild.htm

You owe money,... you pays your debts. Its ancient history. Thats how the world is supposed to work, but that's probably why it's not working so well these days.

You owe money,... you pays your debts. Its ancient history. Thats how the world is supposed to work, but that's probably why it's not working so well these days.

Obviously, you're not very aware of the facts, but when/if it becomes any of your concern, I'll let you know.

Well, you are kind-of making it everyone's concern by making it your signature line.

Sorry, but it was Ed Ness that started that crap. I figured I would return the favor.

http://www.mikebentley.com/bike/bikemfg.htm
http://www.bikeschool.com/links/links.cgi
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/links.htm
http://www.thomasnet.com/nsearch.html?cov=NA&what=Bicycles&heading=5121009&navsec=prodsearch

A friend of mine is looking to start a bike company. Not making the frames himself, but specifying the geometry and details of the frameset and having a third-party manufacture them. He's not interested in making a cheap piece of crap, but rather a high-quality lugged steel frame. Is there anywhere that I can find a listing of bike frame builders that might fit that description? the business that you're describing is pretty much Rivendell's (http://www.rivbike.com/bikes/custom_rivendell) business model (Riv does the design and customer service. Frame assembly and build happens in Japan). If your friend can swing it, you might want to drop by NAHBS in March to chat up some of the builders out there. If Grant or other folks from Rivendell are there, you might want to pick their brains about how they got their business up and running.