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Foresta Frames
Foresta: Craig Ryan
In the framebuilding world, I'm one of the new guys. It's a place every framebuilder has to go, a place established builders may hardly remember, and a place you don’t want to hang out long. Posting after Mike Zanconato, and before all the others to come, is an honor. It’s hard to believe actually. Mike is pure inspiration to me. This is my story; forgive me if I ramble.
The internet has changed framebuilding, especially in how it’s learned. I am an “internet framebuilder.” Big statement, but I think there are quite a few of us out there. Good or bad, it comes down to the person doing the building, and I'm hoping I'm one of the good ones. I like to document everything I do in my blog. It may be the teacher in me, but I get a lot of enjoyment sharing. I hope to help others get started with the building process, and set a good example through my work. My message is “You can do this, but do it right.” Hopefully, someone will read my blog and slow it down, get it right. I wish I knew more people who were following the same path and blogging as they go. I'd enjoy watching. Some of the pro's do it well, but the little guys are harder to find.
I am a teacher, it is how I define myself. I find peace amongst teenagers. As I approach retirement age, it's hard to imagine spending my life any other way. Teaching art has provided many opportunities to me, and is largely responsible for my “can do” attitude. I developed the curriculum and taught the photography program at our school for 15 years. I was very heavily into the darkroom for my personal work and still have a darkroom in my home. I switched over to drawing and painting when it all started changing and the supplies and cameras weren't quite the same. The last time I used my darkroom was for a large multiyear project I did shooting roadside memorial crosses with a 4x5 pinhole camera on sheet film. I got a couple of shows out of it, and am very proud of my work with it. But that's a whole different story.
I was born in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin along Lake Winnebago, and remember my first Schwinn Collegiate. In high school during the bike boom I moved up to a Gitane Interclub, bought some tools and from that point have done all my own wrenching. An Atala with chrome lugs followed, then a '73 Colnago. While in college at Beloit I rode the roads of Southern Wisconsin with buddies and am proud to have been a part of Zucchini Bike Shop. Back in the day I was one with my Emily K's and riding was my life. In '78 I first envisioned building a frame while living in Oregon. I'd picked up one of the first Trek frames before moving out west, and vividly remember having to stack it on the bottom of the pile whenever we loaded the van for races. I was working in a bike shop and saw a lot of nice west coast builders work, but a lack of money, focus, and opportunity kept framebuilding from happening. Many years went by, until at some point I realized I could do this, and a lifetime of experience with bicycles helped give me the start. Or maybe I had something to prove? Most people don't know I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. It's not good, and it's been a battle I've had to overcome. I have joint damage in my hands and feet, but I work around it and my meds control it. It's just one of those life things we all face sooner or later. If you make it to 55 and it’s the worst thing you’ve faced, life is good!
I just did it. I just started building frames. Got some tubes and did it. That is how someone with no personal connections to the bicycle industry starts building frames. It'd be great if we could all say we worked at xyz bicycle company for a number of years; I have a career, and to be honest, this started as an art project. The information is out there if you look, so I made a drawing, got a torch, some files, and prep tools... it went pretty well, so I built more. And now I've built quite a few more, bought more tools and it's going really well. Scary? Maybe, but don't confuse me with one of the guys who took a class, made a web page and hung out his shingle, or gave bikes with no brakes to all his friends for barter, or is going “Leonardo” inventing a better bicycle. I’ve come to realize framebuilding starts with the rider and getting the pieces in the right spots. Good design starts with the intended purpose. I believe there is a right way to do things and it’s not always apparent until you’ve done it wrong. I am looking forward to building nice frames, for a long time. The name I put on my bicycles is Foresta. It was totally a whim, and I love it.
I've yet to sell a frame. I haven't felt it's time yet. I've been working hard at getting better, and I am very close. I didn't start building frames to go into business, so until now I've just bided my time, and built. Selling them seems to make sense. After all, how long should I keep cutting up perfectly good frames? My joints are strong, my tubes are straight, my design is improving. Something I've given a lot of thought to, but at any moment am very unsure of. The future will tell. For the time being, my Mission Statement will guide me and I'll keep building.
You don't have to look far to see my mentors, and I'd like to thank them for everything they don't know they've done for me. For a builder like me, learning the way I have, it's the little things that define a difference. There is no doubt I would not be where I am except for the excellent example set by other builders. And perhaps it is for this reason I have been so reluctant to market my work. There is a standard being set, and the bar is very high. I'm a bit competitive, I put a lot of effort into my work, and I want to be one of the best.
Thanks for reading, I welcome your thoughts. Keep in mind I teach all day, so am away from the computer for extended periods.
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Re: Foresta Frames
Craig,
if and when you decide to tell everyone you are ready to sell frames, how many do you think you could do in a year and maintain your career and home life?
Jonathan
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Re: Foresta Frames
Wow, that was wonderful. Your self-awareness, your approach to learning this craft and your appreciation of what truly matters in building a frame are all so refreshing.
Good luck. I'm looking forward to seeing you continue to work towards your goals. I'll be checking out your progress.
Uh, a question? OK, how do you think you'll know when you're ready to sell your first frame?
GO!
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Re: Foresta Frames
Jonathon and David, thank you for the compliments! It sure didn't take long to come up with a question. It's hard to work intensively in your "off" time and keep the family happy, much less put the right kind of energy into a job. I'm lucky, the kids are grown and out of the house, no grandkids yet, Susan works many evenings, and she's just a super supportive better half. I get teased by her a lot, but she understands it's what I enjoy. At least I'm not down in the Silver Dollar Bar. Keeping balance is hard. I do know I've given up a lot of riding time to work in the shop.
When I start selling my work I will first have to worry about getting the orders! But if the demand was there, I expect I could produce two dozen. I do have 11 weeks off in the summer!
I'll know I'm ready to sell my first frame the day I buy the insurance! But really, it's the day I look at my work and know.
Thanks for asking!
Craig
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Re: Foresta Frames
Originally Posted by
Craig Ryan
For the time being, my Mission Statement will guide me and I'll keep building.
so rawesome right now atmo -
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Re: Foresta Frames
Reminds me of that old commercial "We will sell no wine before it's time". Props to you for not throwing up a cool website and charging out the nose for your 3rd frame.
That was a really nice frame you had at NAHBS, and if you feel that's not good enough for the public, then I shudder to think what kind of sweetness you'll be producing when you open up shop.
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Re: Foresta Frames
Originally Posted by
edoz
Reminds me of that old commercial "We will sell no wine before it's time". Props to you for not throwing up a cool website and charging out the nose for your 3rd frame.
That was a really nice frame you had at NAHBS, and if you feel that's not good enough for the public, then I shudder to think what kind of sweetness you'll be producing when you open up shop.
You know, I've already cut that one up. Looked good inside too. I do think that one was about where I need to be.
I've got 4 sets of tubes I'm lining up to build. If all is good, it will be a good indicator.
Thanks! Craig
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Re: Foresta Frames
a figure of speech --- the mature / ventage builders of the "framebuilder forum" , preceived by ronnie --- seem to have apprenticed or started from ground zero, full time relative to "smoked out" ---- a seemingly full time at carreer professional, gravitating to their love and / or passion calling..
is this do to economy, client attitude / preception change or norm change in society...
ronnie
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Re: Foresta Frames
I admire your blogging as a progress tracker. Many times I wish I had taken detailed notes while building frames, there must be some loss. Imagine how your blog will look to you years from now, it will be like a photo album and I am sure it will make you smile.
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Re: Foresta Frames
Nice post, thanks Craig. I'm in that spot at the beginning, thinking about buying some tubes and taking a whack at it. Kind of a weekend/spare time thing. e-richie linked your mission statement in another thread and it really resonates with me - I'm a learn-to-do-it-right-or-go-home kinda guy as well.
Has there been any point at which you've become disillusioned (for lack of a better word) with your choice to become a framebuilder?
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Re: Foresta Frames
Hi Craig,
Great story you have there. Are you completely self taught? I suspect that as a teacher you really know how to get to the bottom of a process.
Another question I have is, of those chopped up frames in the bucket, how many were fully functional?
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Re: Foresta Frames
Originally Posted by
vulture
I admire your blogging as a progress tracker. Many times I wish I had taken detailed notes while building frames, there must be some loss. Imagine how your blog will look to you years from now, it will be like a photo album and I am sure it will make you smile.
Thanks Wade, I check in on your blog regularly. I wish I could see your whole history, it would be really cool! I believe blogging is a great tool.
Craig
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Re: Foresta Frames
Hey Craig,
Thanks for sharing your story, your mission statement, and your passion for bicycles and frame building. Being a native Hoosier, I'm excited for the state of frame building in Indiana. In a world of mass produced, three sizes fits most and my bike looks just like Lance’s bike marketing, you, Tim and Don are doing the Indy area proud in putting out some wonderful examples of the lost art. Maybe a trip to Foresta World Headquarters will be in my future.
Oh, and for what it’s worth, I feel your photographic pain in seeing the death of wet photography. I myself toiled many an hour in darkrooms and dearly miss the smell of fixer and stop bath.
Keep up the good work.
Andy
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Re: Foresta Frames
Originally Posted by
Craig Ryan
Foresta: Craig Ryan
Most people don't know I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. It's not good, and it's been a battle I've had to overcome. I have joint damage in my hands and feet, but I work around it and my meds control it. It's just one of those life things we all face sooner or later.
.
I am sorry, Craig. that sucks. living in constant pain is a big stone around your neck. I know. Please quit cutting up those pretty bikes you put so much into. - Garro.
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Re: Foresta Frames
Hi Craig,
This might be similar to Richard's question, but with a different spin. I often think about the timing and circumstances of some of my a-ha moments. I bake my noodle wondering if it would have happened on that day if I had simply decided to go into the shop an hour earlier or later. Can you think of a specific moment or discovery where it seemed like the planets aligned and you came away with something that day that you feared may not have happened otherwise under different conditions?
Thanks for sharing!
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Re: Foresta Frames
Craig,
I applaud you for having the stones to take on painting too. Has painting affected or shaped how you look at your metal work?
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Re: Foresta Frames
Originally Posted by
Curt Goodrich
Craig,
I applaud you for having the stones to take on painting too. Has painting affected or shaped how you look at your metal work?
Wow! Big time. Every builder should should paint one, or be there the entire way through. I've learned some little things, like I need to bore my brake bolt holes just a wee bit larger, and make sure my axles aren't tight. And I think painting helps to rethink the whole unity of the product. I think it's great you made the choice to do your own.
Thank you!
Craig
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Re: Foresta Frames
Originally Posted by
zank
Hi Craig,
This might be similar to Richard's question, but with a different spin. I often think about the timing and circumstances of some of my a-ha moments. I bake my noodle wondering if it would have happened on that day if I had simply decided to go into the shop an hour earlier or later. Can you think of a specific moment or discovery where it seemed like the planets aligned and you came away with something that day that you feared may not have happened otherwise under different conditions?
Thanks for sharing!
Mike, this is one I've tried to think about, and it's hard. One big one was when I was brazing a head tube early on. I was feeding the silver in and all of a sudden I saw it coming out the other end of the lug, bridging the miter so to speak. Totally unexpected and it about made me drop the rod. It was something I'd only heard about happening. But that was a moment, and I think the bigger moment was the realization I could build them straight repeatedly. To know the frame matches the drawing is the beginning. General progress is always two steps forward, one step back, those moments you remember are fleeting.
Thanks Mike!
Craig
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Re: Foresta Frames
Originally Posted by
steve garro
I am sorry, Craig. that sucks. living in constant pain is a big stone around your neck. I know. Please quit cutting up those pretty bikes you put so much into. - Garro.
Thanks Steve, you are more responsible for all this than you might think! I remember when I was first starting out I questioned if it was maybe more than I should attempt. You came right back with a "go for it."
Craig
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Re: Foresta Frames
Originally Posted by
Craig Ryan
Thanks Steve, you are more responsible for all this than you might think! I remember when I was first starting out I questioned if it was maybe more than I should attempt. You came right back with a "go for it."
Craig
Thanks! i needed that - Garro.
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