Lachlan Flint of Australia apprenticed with
Paul Taylor this
Fall 2010. Hear what
Lachlan had to say
about his experience.
INTERVIEW WITH LACHLAN FLINT
Q: 
For starters, building a bicycle frame is not something that many people think of or attempt to do. At what point did you first begin thinking about the possibility of building a bicycle frame, and why were you drawn to it?
For starters, building a bicycle frame is not something that many people think of or attempt to do. At what point did you first begin thinking about the possibility of building a bicycle frame, and why were you drawn to it?A: I believe I began thinking about the possibility of frame building about 5-6 years ago shortly after moving to the U.S. from Australia. I was transferred to the U.S. in 2003 with the Australian company I work with, and was working in northern Virginia outside of Washington, D.C. At the time, I was an avid off-road motorcycle rider. When I arrived in D.C., it was hard to continue pursuing this hobby because I was living in an apartment, and didn’t have a good place to store or work on a motorcycle. So, as an alternative hobby, I began mountain biking.
I believe I began thinking about the possibility of frame building about 5-6 years ago shortly after moving to the U.S. from Australia. I was transferred to the U.S. in 2003 with the Australian company I work with, and was working in northern Virginia outside of Washington, D.C. At the time, I was an avid off-road motorcycle rider. When I arrived in D.C., it was hard to continue pursuing this hobby because I was living in an apartment, and didn’t have a good place to store or work on a motorcycle. So, as an alternative hobby, I began mountain biking. I first began mountain biking as a substitute for off-ride motorcycling, but I also became very interested in the fitness aspects of mountain biking. I also quickly realized that handling a mountain bike has a lot in common with trail riding on a motorcycle and found just as much enjoyment in it as with the motorbike riding. Mountain biking is a social sport and takes you into some amazing country in the U.S. I have had some amazing days on the bike in the US, many of the trails are in spectacular locations, I was hooked from the start.
Before long I was entering endurance mountain biking events including the Shenandoah Mountain 100 and the 24 Hours of Big Bear. I enjoyed the mental challenge of training and racing in endurance mountain bike races. Over time, my interest in mountain biking evolved to include road riding. Due to the seasonality of mountain biking in Virginia, I found myself doing more and more road riding. It is in my character to pursue anything I am passionate about to the highest level I am capable of so it was only natural that I started to consider where I could take my cycling interest next. Having already built up a couple of mountain bikes from off-the-shelf frames it was about this point that it occurred to me that I could attempt to build my next frame myself…
I’ve always had a knack at building and fixing things with my hands. I grew up on an 80,000 acre sheep and cattle station in the Australian state of New South Wales. Living and working on a remote station (ranch), you have to build and fix things yourself. By necessity, you develop practical skills like welding and repairing engines, and generally being good with your hands. I think it was a natural progression for me to arrive at my interest of building bicycle frames. It is a great match between my passion for cycling and my practical abilities.
Q:How did you decide upon learning to build bicycle frames in the U.S.A.?
How did you decide upon learning to build bicycle frames in the U.S.A.?A:Well, first of all, there aren’t many custom bicycle frame builders in Australia. Australia is roughly the same size as the U.S., but has about 1/10th the population. There just isn’t the market size of the U.S., and consequently there aren’t many builders to learn from. Currently, I would guess there are maybe 4 or 5 full time custom bicycle frame builders working in Australia. Compare that to perhaps 50 full-time custom bicycle frame builders in the U.S. Additionally, as a general rule, Australia bicycle frame builders are often not willing to help a guy get started. I suppose they are worried about training a new competitor and while I can appreciate this point of view it does limit the options for any aspiring new builders, like myself.
Well, first of all, there aren’t many custom bicycle frame builders in Australia. Australia is roughly the same size as the U.S., but has about 1/10th the population. There just isn’t the market size of the U.S., and consequently there aren’t many builders to learn from. Currently, I would guess there are maybe 4 or 5 full time custom bicycle frame builders working in Australia. Compare that to perhaps 50 full-time custom bicycle frame builders in the U.S. Additionally, as a general rule, Australia bicycle frame builders are often not willing to help a guy get started. I suppose they are worried about training a new competitor and while I can appreciate this point of view it does limit the options for any aspiring new builders, like myself.Sometime in 2006, before I returned to Australia, I paid to take a one week, hands on bicycle frame class from a frame builder in the U.S. The class was not inexpensive; I believe about $2,500, but I walked away with a completed frame of my design. I built a hard-tail, steel mountain bike frame. I still have the bike, but I have found that the sizing and geometry is probably not optimal. The builder I was working with didn’t spend a lot of time on frame fit, we concentrated mainly on construction technique. As a result, I learned of the importance of sizing and fit in frame building. Since that first step, I’ve come to realize that building high-quality bicycle frames is an incremental process. You can’t possibly learn everything in a few days or a few weeks. Like any craft, you continue to build your knowledge as you progress along the spectrum from novice to expert.
It is worth adding that cycling is growing in popularity in Australia. A few years ago, the Tour Down Under became a UCI Pro event putting it on the map as a major International cycling race. As a result of the growing popularity of the Tour Down Under among International racers and Australians, cycling is really beginning to take off in Australia. The owner of a bike shop back home recently commented to me, “Cycling is becoming the new golf.” I think we will continue to see more interest in cycling, and as a result more custom frame building in the coming decade in Australia. However, it will continue to be a small market relative to the U.S.
Q:Why did you choose to apprentice under Paul Taylor?
Why did you choose to apprentice under Paul Taylor?A:I returned to the U.S. on a business trip this past spring. My trip happened to coincide with the 2010 San Diego Custom Bicycle Show, and I made it a point to attend. My interest in frame building had moved to the back burner during my return to Australia, but it was something that I wanted to continue. As I made my way through the San Diego bike show, I came across these beautifully crafted bicycles with a distinctive Kangaroo logo. Given the unmistakable connection between the Kangaroo and Australia, I knew there must be some link between this builder and my home country. I introduced myself to Paul and quickly discovered that we had a mutual connection. Like myself, Paul was also born and raised in Australia. Before long, we were having a few pints together, as we Australians often do!
I returned to the U.S. on a business trip this past spring. My trip happened to coincide with the 2010 San Diego Custom Bicycle Show, and I made it a point to attend. My interest in frame building had moved to the back burner during my return to Australia, but it was something that I wanted to continue. As I made my way through the San Diego bike show, I came across these beautifully crafted bicycles with a distinctive Kangaroo logo. Given the unmistakable connection between the Kangaroo and Australia, I knew there must be some link between this builder and my home country. I introduced myself to Paul and quickly discovered that we had a mutual connection. Like myself, Paul was also born and raised in Australia. Before long, we were having a few pints together, as we Australians often do!I liked Paul’s philosophy of custom frame building. He spoke of the importance of frame fit and ride quality. Paul’s approach of starting with the rider’s goals, needs, aspirations, strengths, and limitations resonated with me. I was impressed with Paul’s knowledge and in the quality of his bike frames. Months later, after returning to Australia, I kept up the bike dialogue with Paul via email. When he offered to have me apprentice with him for a few weeks at his shop in Bozeman, Montana, I jumped at the chance.
Q: What are the key things you’ve learned from Paul thus far about building bike frames?
What are the key things you’ve learned from Paul thus far about building bike frames?A: I think the biggest thing that I’ve learned from Paul thus far is that the key to building quality frames is not so much in the equipment you have, it’s in the knowledge and skill of the builder. From visiting many builders’ websites, you can easily gain the impression that quality comes from having expensive, sophisticated equipment and machinery. Paul is a true, “dyed in the wool” craftsman. He has taught me to trust my hands and not to look for technological gimmicks in a search for quality. Taylor Bikes is not a mass production operation. Each bicycle frame is built start to finish by Paul in his shop. He does every step in the process himself from sizing the customer’s frame through fabrication and finally to painting. It’s been helpful to work with someone who understands the entire building process. I think craftsman like Paul are in short supply in today’s mass production, assembly line world that we live in.
I think the biggest thing that I’ve learned from Paul thus far is that the key to building quality frames is not so much in the equipment you have, it’s in the knowledge and skill of the builder. From visiting many builders’ websites, you can easily gain the impression that quality comes from having expensive, sophisticated equipment and machinery. Paul is a true, “dyed in the wool” craftsman. He has taught me to trust my hands and not to look for technological gimmicks in a search for quality. Taylor Bikes is not a mass production operation. Each bicycle frame is built start to finish by Paul in his shop. He does every step in the process himself from sizing the customer’s frame through fabrication and finally to painting. It’s been helpful to work with someone who understands the entire building process. I think craftsman like Paul are in short supply in today’s mass production, assembly line world that we live in. Q: What are your aspirations for building bike frames?
What are your aspirations for building bike frames?A: I’m not setting any expectations at this point. We’ll see where it evolves from here. I have a great career as a technology product manager with an excellent company back in Australia. At this point, building bicycle frames is a hobby for me. I plan to continue to learn and build upon my experience here working with Paul. I hope to configure a small workshop back home so that I can begin building frames for myself and friends. Beyond that I don’t have any immediate plans but am hopeful that it may evolve into something more significant. My primary focus right now is to simply enjoy learning the craft.
I’m not setting any expectations at this point. We’ll see where it evolves from here. I have a great career as a technology product manager with an excellent company back in Australia. At this point, building bicycle frames is a hobby for me. I plan to continue to learn and build upon my experience here working with Paul. I hope to configure a small workshop back home so that I can begin building frames for myself and friends. Beyond that I don’t have any immediate plans but am hopeful that it may evolve into something more significant. My primary focus right now is to simply enjoy learning the craft.Q:Thanks for your time in sharing your thoughts with me. Good luck.
Thanks for your time in sharing your thoughts with me. Good luck. A:It’s been a pleasure. Thank you.
It’s been a pleasure. Thank you.
