Register for 2023 Frame Building Seminars at the bottom of this page.
Ti Cycles offers novice and aspiring framebuilders the opportunity to construct their own steel bicycle frame under the direction of industry veteran, Dave Levy. Our seminars are a thorough introduction to the craft of bicycle frame building. Students complete the end-to-end process while working hands-on with the tools and materials in our fabrication shop.
Whether you're a cycling enthusiast wanting the ultimate in personalized equipment, a hobbyist on the hunt for a new project, or an inspired individual on the road to becoming a professional frame builder -- you will have a blast making your own steel frame and fork set.
TIMEFRAME:
Frame building seminars are structured into four 10-hour sessions split over two weekends, with approximately 40 hours of shop time with direct, personal contact with one of the most experienced frame builders in North America.
Extra shop time is also available if needed, and all participants leave the instruction period with a complete steel frame and fork, ready for paint. Attendees are free to build any style of frame that is compatible with the Hydra frame jig from Bicycle Machinery.
Did we mention personal? Unlike commercial bike schools where class sizes can spill into the dozens, attendees of Ti Cycles framebuilding seminars are never lost in a crowd. Maximum class size for all sessions is four students, ensuring plenty of face time and detailed personal instruction.
COURSEWORK:
Classes cover all aspects of traditional steel frame building, including:
* Basic principles of fitting rider to frame
* Introduction to materials and tools
* Tube measurements and mitering
* Lug preparation
* Drop out prep and brazing
* Lug brazing or TIG welding introduction
* Frame and fork alignment
* Finish work and braze-ons
MATERIALS:
All introductory frame building seminars use professional grade steel tubing and parts developed specifically for bicycles. Advance level seminars in titanium are available for experienced builders; a demonstrated proficiency in TIG welding is a pre-requisite for consideration.
LOCATION:
All classes are held in the Ti Cycles Fabrication frame shop in Portland, Oregon, and are subject to availability.
THE INSTRUCTOR:
Along with 30+ years experience providing frame building instruction and 37+ years experience building custom frames, instructor Dave Levy has been an avid cyclist for more than 48 years. His experiences include racing both on- and off-road, coaching, trail riding, tandeming and touring.
PRICING:
The cost of a Ti Cycles steel frame building seminar is $2750 for instruction, plus materials, for a lugged or TIG welded frame and fork.
Please inquire as to the availability of instruction in fillet brazing, the time required for smoothing and shaping fillets makes it difficult to complete in the standard time allotted. Weekend schedule can work if the student has time to work on their Frame between the regular class sessions.
All materials are available through Ti Cycles, complete material cost starting at $240 for road frames.
The cost of a Ti Cycles titanium frame building seminar is $5400 for instruction, plus materials, for a TIG welded frame pending a demonstrated proficiency in TIG welding. Message us about titanium frame building seminars for scheduling options.
2023 SEMINAR SCHEDULE & SIGN-UP:
June: Two weekends - 4 x 10 hour days Sat/Sun
July: One week - 5 x 8 hour days M-F
August: Two weekends - 4 x 10 hour days Sat/Sun
FRAMEBUILDING SEMINAR REVIEW:
“I also did an intensive 3-day frame building seminar with Dave Levy that turned into a complete 1-on-1 session, with a complete frame build coming out the other end. It was the beginning of my frame building business.”