Lugged Bicycle Frame Construction: A Manual for the First Time Builder

by Marc-André R. Chimonas, Raymond Wang (Illustrator)

AUTHOR’S NOTE, PLEASE The third edition of Lugged Bicycle Frame Construction is now available. The third edition has a red cover and includes sections on oxy-fuel torches, improved jigging techniques, and the use of track ends for single speed and fixie builds. I will begin the phase out of the second edition at the end of December 2013.

Genres: Bicycles

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2009

Reviews

[Jacob]

Describes in detail how to go about building a steel road bike frame. This includes exactly what kind of materials to get which is helpful since sourcing parts can often be the biggest challenge for such building projects. My only gripe is the suggestion of outsourcing the remain and facing of the bottom bracket and headset to the LBS. The argument is that the tools cost $200+, but I think a similar argument can be made for the blow torch, grinder, etc. if you didn't have them already.

[Dan]

I read this book after I had already taken a 12-month apprenticeship in framebuilding, so this review is colored by that experience.

Yes, you can use this to build a lugged steel bike frame. And with enough repetition, you'll probably be able to build a fairly passable one. It won't make you a professional framebuilder by any stretch of the imagination, but it could provide the groundwork for an enjoyable experience.