Here is an interview with
Paul regarding how he got started building custom bicycle frames, and what makes a Taylor
bike special.
INTERVIEW WITH PAUL TAYLOR
Q: 
Here’s something that I’ve been wondering, and perhaps others are curious about this as well: How’s an Australian guy end up living in the U.S. making custom bike frames?
Here’s something that I’ve been wondering, and perhaps others are curious about this as well: How’s an Australian guy end up living in the U.S. making custom bike frames? A: Well, it’s not a short story but I’ll try to answer your question without turning this interview into a novel. Back in the early 1990s I was living near Sydney, Australia near where I grew up, and was active in the local bicycle racing scene. In 1992 I had an accident while racing, and was going to be out of commission for a while. I couldn’t see myself in a 9-5 desk job, and I really wanted to stay involved in cycling.
Well, it’s not a short story but I’ll try to answer your question without turning this interview into a novel. Back in the early 1990s I was living near Sydney, Australia near where I grew up, and was active in the local bicycle racing scene. In 1992 I had an accident while racing, and was going to be out of commission for a while. I couldn’t see myself in a 9-5 desk job, and I really wanted to stay involved in cycling. At the time of my accident, I was racing on custom bicycles built by Geoff Scott of Sydney. So, I had been exposed to the world of custom frames. I was also good with my hands, knew how to weld, and enjoyed building things. The idea of trying my hand at making a bicycle frame was something that had been on my mind for several years, but had been too busy racing to have time to give it a go. When I had my accident, I figured, “Hey, now would be a good time to build a bike frame.”
I knew a lot of people in Australia in the cycling community at the time as a result of my racing. I started making phone calls to people I knew, and I was very surprised to find that the custom frame builders in Australia were not very helpful. Some people tried to discourage me from getting involved, some didn’t return my calls, and I even had a few hang up on me.
As a second approach, I made a few phone calls to the U.S. I knew that the custom frame industry was bigger in the U.S., and there were more builders as a result. I didn’t know what kind of response I would get after my attempt in Australia, but I had nothing to lose. I was pleasantly surprised to find builders much more supportive in the U.S. I connected with a guy named Chris Kelly at Kelly Bike in California. He agreed to take me on as an apprentice, and before long I was on a Quantas flight headed to California. My plan was not to stay in the U.S. I planned to learn a new trade and head back home to Australia. However, life has a way of taking you down paths sometimes that you don’t always foresee. Here I am 18 years later still in the U.S., and have been a custom frame builder ever since. I enjoy staying connected with my Australian roots via my iconic kangaroo logo. When people see my distinctive kangaroo on the top tube of my bikes, they immediately know it’s a Taylor bicycle.
Q: You’ve been making custom bicycle frames for 18 years now. That’s a long time. What would you say is different or unique about your approach to building a frame?
You’ve been making custom bicycle frames for 18 years now. That’s a long time. What would you say is different or unique about your approach to building a frame?A:I think the biggest difference in a Taylor bicycle frame is the fact that I do everything myself from start to finish. I even do the paint job which is very rare today. As a result, I have more control over the quality of the final product. In many custom shops, you’ll have 2, 3, maybe 4 different people touch your bike over the course from initial sizing through design to fabrication and finally to painting. In my shop, I do all of these steps myself. When I put my name on a bike, you know that it was built by Paul Taylor.
I think the biggest difference in a Taylor bicycle frame is the fact that I do everything myself from start to finish. I even do the paint job which is very rare today. As a result, I have more control over the quality of the final product. In many custom shops, you’ll have 2, 3, maybe 4 different people touch your bike over the course from initial sizing through design to fabrication and finally to painting. In my shop, I do all of these steps myself. When I put my name on a bike, you know that it was built by Paul Taylor. The benefit to this approach is consistently, high-quality frames. Every bike of mine is a gem from fit to durability to visual beauty. And, if I’m not happy with a bike, I won’t put my name on it. The downside to this approach from a business standpoint is production volume. It is not physically possible for me to make as many bikes as a 3 or 4 man business. That is why many custom frame shops ramp up staffing and production. There is enough demand for me to bring on more help and ramp up my volume. But, for me, this is not where I want to go. I enjoy being involved in every step of the process. It gives me great pride. And, I think the finished product shows.
Q:What are the key things you focus on when building a custom frame for a customer?
What are the key things you focus on when building a custom frame for a customer?A:I focus first and foremost on a customer’s fit and ride quality. I’ve been at this a long time, and I’ve seen some people unhappy with their custom frames by other builders. Some builders think that the key goal is bike weight. Yes, this is an important criterion, but it’s starting at things from the wrong angle. Some builders begin with a specific frame material in mind.
I focus first and foremost on a customer’s fit and ride quality. I’ve been at this a long time, and I’ve seen some people unhappy with their custom frames by other builders. Some builders think that the key goal is bike weight. Yes, this is an important criterion, but it’s starting at things from the wrong angle. Some builders begin with a specific frame material in mind.I believe that the key to building a high-quality, custom frame begins with understanding an owner’s goals for their bike and their riding. Is the individual 22 and a professional racer? Or, is the owner 45 and has a desk job but loves to ride centuries on the weekend. If a rider wants to ride for 6 hours on Saturday’s group ride, but cannot stay in the saddle for more than an hour, then it doesn’t matter how light the frame is, or what it’s made from. Understanding a rider’s goals, aspirations, fitness level and flexibility is where I begin.
Q:Paul, you recently had an apprentice named Lachlan Flint from Australia come work with you. What was your motivation for doing so?
Paul, you recently had an apprentice named Lachlan Flint from Australia come work with you. What was your motivation for doing so?A:When I was getting started as a custom frame builder back in the early 1990s, I found very little support from the custom bike frame industry in Australia. Subsequently, I had to travel to the U.S. to find someone willing to teach me the basics of building a bike frame. So, I could really relate to Lachlan’s situation with regard to getting started in Australia.
When I was getting started as a custom frame builder back in the early 1990s, I found very little support from the custom bike frame industry in Australia. Subsequently, I had to travel to the U.S. to find someone willing to teach me the basics of building a bike frame. So, I could really relate to Lachlan’s situation with regard to getting started in Australia. Additionally, I find that I improve my craft each time that I teach someone else about building. It’s been said that the best way to learn is by teaching, and I fully agree. Teaching is hard. You have to think about every small detail from the fresh perspective of someone who has never built a frame before. It forces me to slow down and to think through each step of the process. It also challenges my assumptions and unwritten rules when someone asks me “Why do you do it that way?” The back and forth Q&A with an apprentice helps me to refine my technique and become a better builder. Even after nearly 20 years in the trade, I find that I improve myself each time I teach someone how to build a custom frame.
Q: Thanks, Paul, for your time today sharing with us your background and approach to building custom bike frames. Best wishes for a successful year.
Thanks, Paul, for your time today sharing with us your background and approach to building custom bike frames. Best wishes for a successful year.A: Thank you. It’s been my pleasure.
Thank you. It’s been my pleasure.
