I'm thinking off attending later this year,Cromolly brazzing frame building,wondering if anyone has
attended,if so thought on it,and have you been able to use your framebuilding for more than just a hobby.

Thanks

I have not gone there. However, I don't think I'm going to get much disagreement with the assertion that after a two week session, you're not ready to go into business.

what's UBI? Thanks!

United Bicycle Institute in Ashland, OR.

Click on "Curriculum" under "Class Information", then "Chromoly Brazing Frame Building"...

"I have not gone there. However, I don't think I'm going to get much disagreement with the assertion that after a two week session, you're not ready to go into business. "





yeah probably not,but mabey working for a bike company building frames for more experience.
thanks for the comment i've been around enough to know all good things take time,so becoming a craftsman at building frames will take time and practice,but i am still interested in anyones thoughts and stories who have attended UBI,so i thought i'd throw it out there.

I think the question about business is relevant to the extent of sorting out whether the people who go there are doing it for recreation, are doing it to get into the biz but fail, or are doing it for biz but succeed.

You can find quite a bit on blogs from people who went to UBI or Fatic, or photo essays on flicker.

Yeah checking into it thanks Peter.

there is no doubt it is a good start

ive been saving up to go, part of my shop is going to be custom chrome frames all done up in colored chrome, check out spectra chrome out of florida, sent me a wicked dvd showing what they could do, about 4-5g for a decent setup... although I plan to take the intro, pro, wheel, susp, and welding courses, prolly just the chrome and alum...

Since you're near San Diego, have you talked to the local custom framebuilders about what it takes to make it "more than a hobby"? I bet you could ask at CyclArt for recommendations, too.

FWIW: UBI's new Portland campus is about 3 blocks from my job. It looks like they're going to be offering framebuilding courses there, too. Whoo-hoo! Time to pick up the torch!

I was thinking about going to the one in Ashland. But id rather just apprentice. Seems more logical to me.

I don't see how you are going to get someone to take you as an apprentice if you bring nothing to the table.

I just attended their cromoly fillet brazing class in February. I would highly suggest it to anyone who is looking to build their first frame (for whatever reason). The instructors were all extremely well versed in their trade and very helpful. The amount of information you receive in the two week period of time is enormous and without a doubt a gift. They have alumni courses that enable you one work week in their facilities to work freely under some supervision, I intend to attend one of those classes soon, while it's been made a goal of mine to slowly build up tools over time (tool choice is also a part of the curriculum, along with lots of discussion on getting started on your own).

An experience like no other!

I took the frame building class at UBI 3 years ago and loved it. Gary and Ron were great and they shared info freely...not only about building frames, but also about doing it professionally versus recreational.

Ashland is also a great place to hang out for 2 weeks. They were having Shakespeare in the park while we were there and that was a treat to see.

Since the class I've built 4 frames here at home. 3 for me and 1 for my wife. As for doing it professionally, I'd say you need alot more practice and experience after UBI to ever consider that.

Think of UBI as driving school...you don't go out and join NASCAR after getting your learner's permit.

"I don't see how you are going to get someone to take you as an apprentice if you bring nothing to the table."

Right, that is the whole idea of being an apprentice you don't know anything, which is as you say why they don't exist anymore. Bad deal for "masters" in a world of high labour mobility. The original deal was spend 7 years and a then relocate far from the master (Journeyman for a reason). Current version is stay 7 weeks and set up next door.

the other thing is that people would do the most menial task for years before they even got to touch anything of value. Even at Trek I did menial tasks until one of the brazers lost his temper and tried to burn someone with his torch and I took his spot. I would work with someone that has demonstrated metalworking skills. I wouldn't take on someone who got the idea of building frames from looking at the price lists of a well-established builder and had previously failed to demonstrate any capability to work with their hands. The minimum would be a competent bike mechanic that could do the final prep and assembly.

Thats great , thanks i've really been thinking about this,got that need to being using my talents,been wasting away in the electrical trade,so working with tools is no problem.I've always been a more arty person,but learned a trade to support the fam,and got stuck there.

Thanks for all the input,no doubt again good things take time and passion,and building a frame ,is building and art piece,for some it's just a bike ,but for others its alot more.Bike assembly is not a prob,and funny you guys mentioned it,i am a licensed journeyman electrician in the state of CA,but i stayed working for the master.

I went to UBI for their basic two-week mechanic's course in 1984. Yes - '84. They did a very thorough job of instruction and hand's on experience. I knew most of the material, except for building wheels - which they threw in our faces first, the sadists - and I built my first set of wheels that day. And I am still building wheels. It was worth the cost for that alone. And getting to use tools I couldn't yet afford like facers and frame-straightening gear.

UBI remains one of two full-on bicycle schools in the USA. I can stand behind UBI without hesitation. For anything they offer. They are very good indeed.

if you have the money i think it is a great way to bite off a lot and very quick. That said I only know people who have gone and have not, nor intend to, myself. I think the best thing that getting everything thrown in your face has to offer, is you get a real taste, and can decide without spending money on tooling, if this is something youd like to do.

You can buy alot of tooling for what the class costs.

You can also build a frame with a cheap torch, a bench vice, a hacksaw and a few files....if you are so inclined.

Actually, I think that's where the proprietors of my LBS went before starting into business. They new bikes, naturally, but they went to UBI to get a more formal education and to fill in any gaps they had in their school of hard knocks knowledge base. This wasn't for frame building though; it was more for general bike mechanics.

I am so inclined.