Why Framebuilding?

This post is as much for my own self-reflection as for your edification. I declined a prestigious  fellowship and left a career as a neuroscience researcher to become a framebuilder and start Métier Vélo LLC.  Why would I do this?

There are a lot of reasons to leave a career in neuroscience research; the main two problems are 1) a glut of highly trained, qualified research scientists (with a  Ph.D. and elite postdoctoral training) in the United States, and 2) chronic and severe underfunding of science and research in the U.S. (thanks, Congress). Clearly a bad combination.  I won’t go into these problems here because they are boring and I can’t solve them. 

The more interesting and relevant question is, why would I become a framebuilder?  Here’s some items from the list I made when considering the career switch:

I like bikes.
Bicycles are relatively simple machines but allow such great freedom, and have such an influence on racing and performance.  I’ve been around since downtube shifters and five-speed freewheels, wool shorts and leather chamois.  Since then I’ve seen mountain bikes, index shifting, the gradual creep from 6 to 7/8/9/10/11 speed, cogs to cassettes, GripShift, SRAM, STI, TT bikes going from Lotus to retro, carbon, suspension forks, press-fit, disc brakes, fat bikes, hydraulics, …we didn’t start the fire. Oh, wait. Bikes…I like them.

Bikes. I like them.

Framebuilding rewards perfection.   
A polite term used to describe me is meticulous.  For most jobs it is better to be done than perfect, but there are a few where meticulousness is a virtue.  Framebuilding is one of them—a true métier, not a job to be done with.

Framebuilding is creative.
Another personality match.  I can design a clever and beautiful lug, but it has to be strong and durable and last.

Framebuilding is science. 
I use my science and math skills all the time. How do I know a joint will hold?  How do I know I used the optimum amount of epoxy?  How do I know which bond line will give me maximum strength?  I do experiments. As much as when I was in the lab at the bench.

Framebuilding is making things.  
It is immensely satisfying to finish an object of beauty and strength that lets you go fast.  Much more concrete than experimenting on nervous systems (although making boys act like girls by altering a few molecules in a few neurons in their tiny little brains was pretty cool).

I like tools.
 I get to use really, really nice tools designed and made by cool people.

Other people like bikes.
No one cares about science. Never mind all it has done for us. When I tell people I build expensive bicycle frames, they say “Cool!”  When I told people that I was investigating the fundamental nature about how the nervous system generates different behaviors in males and females, they looked puzzled and then usually asked, why I would want to do that?  Was I going to cure cancer? Is it important for humans?

Christmas for framebuilders.

I  can build better frames than [Trek | Scott | Cannondale | Specialized].
I first got the idea to build frames because I was unhappy with my Madone.  $10K for a bike that was…meh.  Then I started looking for a custom builder. Then I decided, “I can do that, and if I do it, I can have EXACTLY what I want.”  No more “meh”.

Dogs & cats.
When considering a career change, I recommend asking a single question: “Can I take my dog (cat) to work?”  A “yes” is indicative of a lot of other important issues.  My HR department is canine, and my feline office manager is napping on the desk beside me right now.

New technology!  
I get to learn about all sorts of cool new technology: bicycle technology (axle standards, electronic shifting, belt drives, planetary hubs, discs, fat tires) and manufacturing technology (3D design, 3D printing, machining).

When considering a career change, ask the question "Can I bring my dog to work?"

Great community. In the end, we’re all riders.

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