I've just spent an age on the phone to the guy running this project. Top bloke and has so many cool ideas. Basicly the venture has two objectives. Firstly to get some much needed bikes out to Africa and secondly for Brian Curtis to pass on the dying art of frame building.
The problem with teaching people out there to build bikes is the costs involved. You are looking at at least £10k to set up a frame shop that can handle volume. Yes you can build a frame for less, but to build 100 frames a year you need something more than a homemade jig made of plywood. Then there is the hassle of getting tubing, brazing equipment, gas etc.
The second aspect is passing on the skills here in the UK. Most UK builders are getting on a bit. Brian started in 72 and has recently retired. He is, in my opinion one of the top fillet brazers in the world. He is very keen to pass these skills onto a new generation before they are lost forever.
50 years ago vertually every town in the land had a frame builder. He is hoping that if just one or two people a year take the course, get the buzz and starts up a small frame shop building beautiful hand crafted frames, then it can only be a positive process.
They also have plans to start up more Academys around the country should this one work. So with some support, your location might not end up being a problem velo!
Look at what is happening in the states. All those new frameshops opening. This is the beginning of a golden age of handbuilt bikes I think. We have always been behind the yanks by five years. Its starting to take off here- look around the web at the new guys coming through. They are making some very exciting frames.
Si
