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Jumping the Gun

Bikes Business // Dan // July 30, 2010 // 4 comments

In talking to people online this weekend, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not at a point where I should be offering frames for sale yet. I’m grateful to those people for pulling my head out of my ass, and have come to some conclusions about how this should be approached. First off, I am not going to be offering frames to anyone who wants one. I’m going to use the next year or two to hone my craft and get to the point where I can offer a well-crafted product.

So I’ll be setting up a prototype program with people I know. They pay for tubing/parts, paint, and maybe a little bit for my time, and I build them a frame that’s considered a “prototype” — they get to keep it, of course, but I’ll be asking them for feedback on the build, and for time to look at/analyze the frame every so often. I’m going to hash out the fine details, of course, but I do plan to use this as a springboard into more awesome stuff.

I currently haven’t decided how many to do in the program, either. It’ll be a good-sized number, though.

There are 4 comments .

Mark Bulgier —

So you’re not selling bikes, but people can get a bike by paying you money? That’s a pretty fine line you’re drawing there bud! Someone (not me of course) who’s feeling less sympathy for your situation might say “dude you’re TOTALLY selling bikes!!!” (Those people use all caps and too many exclamation marks apparently…) I ain’t no lawyer but you might want to get an opinion on that, they may say legally you’re selling bikes.

Got insurance?

Dan —

You’re right. It is a pretty fine line, but I’ve been very clear that what people are getting are prototypes, and I’m going to have a release form signed as part of the project. And I do plan to talk to a lawyer, and yes, before I deliver my first bike, I will have insurance.

Thanks for joining the discussion.

Freddy —

Give the work away for free, just charge em for watching you do it?
Nah !
If you get in front of a judge they will ask “why did you think you could do this?”

Insurance is the cheapest tool you can get, try Lora Van Dixhorn http://www.insuranceforbicycles.com/
I know you can do it so keep on doing.
Cheers Freddy

Brad —

You’re taking this much too seriously.

First, any frame builder will tell you that you’re not going to be a viable “business” for years. And in that time you’ll make frames anyway, because that’s what you want to do and they’ll be your practice and your advertising.

Second, frame building isn’t like a magic thing. You’re either careful and patient and do it right, or you’re inconsistent and hurried and do it wrong. Granted you’ll need a ton of practice to do this both right and quick. But that’s what the early days of your business, when 3 or 4 months pass between incoming orders.

Third, incoming orders. No one’s going to (or should have to) pay a rookie the going rate for a custom build, no matter the level of service or how well you know them. And it’s not like there’s even that many potential customers out there (we’re all looking for them, trust me). Your reputation is the only thing most frame builders have going for them, and the only way to establish that is to build a portfolio, find your niche, and bring something new and unique to the table. That only happens with a couple dozen frames in the the rear view mirror.

So yeah, fine, do it. Whatever. Don’t worry about making a living doing it, ‘cuz you probably won’t. Enjoy it. Study it. Let us all know when you’re ready.

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