Hand-Built Bicycles
Through the University of Iowa and Professor Steve McGuire, I have been a student and graduate assistant of the course ‘Fabrication & Design: Hand-Built Bicycle’ for the past 2 years.
One of its kind nationwide, McGuire’s class crosses the arts with engineering, giving students the opportunity to learn a design process while applying machine and tool knowledge, all culminating in an object to be cherished for a lifetime.
As the graduate assistant, I helped dozens of design and engineering students through their builds by teaching welding and shop practices, overseeing the digital drafting of all frames, and consulting specific ergonomic and aesthetic desires from one student to the next.
I had the fortune of making three bicycle frames throughout my tenure, of which the individual processes are documented below.
Titanium Klunker ETB
ETB = Everything Bike. With a 69 degree head tube angle and 73 at the seat angle, this 29er with tire spacing up to 2.6” was designed to ride anywhere and everywhere in comfort exclusive to my proportions. Klunker Bar inspired by and added as homage to James and Tarryn at Black Sheep Bikes. Bosses throughout for endless accessorizing and adaptability for expeditioning. Head tube badge fabricated under the guidance of Jen Green.
2025
Jonny’s Jumper
A gnarly purple dirt jumper for a gnarly dude, Jonny Dexter. My first in depth collaboration with a client, managing desires, ergonomics, budget, and a timeline. This frame takes angular hints from the dirt jumper’s designed at Canyon, while sporting a lengthier back end for more controlled playfulness and tire clearance. TIG welded chromoly steel.
2024
Ben’s Lowside
Despite growing up riding bikes and being an enthusiast of the subculture, I was humbled upon entering my first build, surrounded by peers who had been considering angles and tolerances for years leading up to their first frame. So, with some minor adjustments to tube lengths and rear triangle curvature, I based my debut on the Surly Lowside, an elevated bmx bike that would afford me the continued joy of riding through all terrain all the time. I have now owned this bike for 2+ years, and it has been my mannequin for all sorts of accessorizing and a launchpad into a much deeper relationship with bicycle culture.
2023
