Kilroy1988 

A working summary for the study:

This study will focus on the contemporary production of classic steel bicycle frames in a region or country where the historical production of similar frames formed a notable part of the local culture, with the frame building craft being influential at a community level by contributing to economic stability, maintenance of a skilled professional labor force, and, over time, the development of a sense of heritage associated with particular marques and individuals who are the recognized "bearers" of craft, ranging from the frame builders to company owners, as well as association with successful professional athletes. The spatial area incorporated into the study will have at least some historic brands that remain in business and still produce classic steel frames for a limited clientele. The most likely study areas will be the entirety of either France, Italy or England, in order to engage with the most data possible given limited contemporary production in these places that were historically full of craftsmen and companies producing classic steel bicycle frames working in similar economic, social and cultural contexts.

The study will assess the market trends which led to the general diminishment of the craft (including the introduction of new technologies that have taken large shares of the market) but in particular will focus on the contemporary market and culture of steel bicycles, which is highly influenced by the availability of used bicycles that have unique sense of value ascribed to them by historic association with particular craftsmen and brands, professional racers, feelings of nostalgia, and unusual technical or aesthetic details. The objective is to understand whether the market for vintage bicycles is influential for the safeguarding of the cultural heritage associated with maintaining the production of steel bicycles at historic firms. Is the cultural value ascribed to new frames build by historic firms diminished by the fact that so many vintage frames bearing the same (or similar) brand recognition are available on the open market? Is it possible that the values ascribed to vintage frames can be associated with new frames built by heritage brands, or are "vintage" and "classic" frames mutually exclusive? If so, do these distinctions impact the choices made by consumers who identify with classic steel bicycle culture and affect the viability of continued production of classic frames at historic brands?

If there are satisfactory answers to these and related questions, then what significance can be attributed to the conclusions? Do the communities that engage with the historic brands, ranging from employees and business owners and their families and friends to clientele (near and far), ascribe cultural significance to the continued production of classic frames? What economic, social and cultural considerations have contributed to their choice to continue production despite economic trends of decline in favor of technologies such as carbon fiber? What aspects of heritage are felt as being upheld by continuing the tradition, and which are feared might be lost if the tradition fails? How does the perception of recognized or hopeful clientele influence the determination of craftsmen and business owners to continue production, and what kind of factors have already been or might become "breaking points" that lead to the eventual discontinuation of production of classic steel frames by historic brands?

-Gregory