Framebuilders in MA

[mudmucker]

I just stumbled upon this and I don't know how I've never heard of these guys. They moved from Worcester to Shirley. I know exactly where they are because I used to live there. These guys are custom frame builders; all steel, all carbon, or combo, and they do frame repairs and alterations too. They also have a 5-day frame building class, including the paint job. How cool is that to be able to build your own custom frame. Aaaackh. And so close to me!

http://hottubes.com/ShopWebSite/New_Location.html

[Crankin]

Bad, bad, bad....
I've ridden by their new address.

[Fishbike]

One of my bike-riding co-workers said a few bike shops recommended Hot Tubes for re-paint. The company has a good reputation for quality work. Go build a bike that you can show us!

[Catrin]

Bad, bad, bad....
I've ridden by their new address.

That isn't bad Crankin, that is GOOD. Mudmucker & Crankin, we want to see the photos when you are done :D

[Crankin]

Have to convince DH that now is the time to start looking at touring bikes. I don't think it will take much, though.

[Catrin]

Have to convince DH that now is the time to start looking at touring bikes. I don't think it will take much, though.

Yep, I can see it now - Touring Bike built by Crankin :D

[Crankin]

Catrin, if you knew me better, you would laugh as hard as I did at your comment.
I can barely tie my shoes (not kidding here), so there will be no hand built bikes by me. But, I would be happy to have them build something for me. Even DH, who is extremely mechanical, and expects to be doing bike repair in his retirement has no desire to build a frame. Both of us are not particularly into the color, painting, or decal aspects of bike frames. I just want a steel touring bike that fits me, with every single component exactly the way I want it and I figure the only way I can get that is to go custom. I made a lot of mistakes buying the 3 road bikes I have had, so I will not let this happen again.

[Catrin]

Catrin, if you knew me better, you would laugh as hard as I did at your comment.
I can barely tie my shoes (not kidding here), so there will be no hand built bikes by me. But, I would be happy to have them build something for me. Even DH, who is extremely mechanical, and expects to be doing bike repair in his retirement has no desire to build a frame. Both of us are not particularly into the color, painting, or decal aspects of bike frames. I just want a steel touring bike that fits me, with every single component exactly the way I want it and I figure the only way I can get that is to go custom. I made a lot of mistakes buying the 3 road bikes I have had, so I will not let this happen again.

You sound like me :) I am the one who wasn't even able to get a fire going in the fireplace last night with real logs - though the Duralog worked fine the night before (kind of hard to mess that one up). I have also reached the same decision that you did - trying not to waste money on stock builds that are not quite what I want and that would need expensive conversions...

It IS great that they are so close to you that you could cruise them on the bike - Gunnar isn't that close to me. This is likely a good thing...

[DebW]

Maybe I will think about building a frame at HotTubes. I have heard of them. My custom Mooney is perfect for commuting and touring and travel, but I could use a lighter steel road bike for fast club rides. UBI in Ashland OR has framebuilding classes, but I believe it is a 2 week class.

[mudmucker]

One of my bike-riding co-workers said a few bike shops recommended Hot Tubes for re-paint. The company has a good reputation for quality work. Go build a bike that you can show us!

I was shooting the breeze with the guys at my lbs this morning, they co-sponsored the cyclocross race I was at; they spoke well of the builder.

Go build a bike... Geez, I just pulled the trigger 4 days ago on a new carbon frame, fork, and headset that I bought from the UK (MUCH less expensive, even with shipping. Compared the carbon and all that yada). For a few years now, I've been looking to find a carbon frameset with a particular geometry and yes, color, to build up in my basement. Still need to decide on what components I want.

However that's not to say one could not use another bike custom made of steel....


Maybe I will think about building a frame at HotTubes. I have heard of them. My custom Mooney is perfect for commuting and touring and travel, but I could use a lighter steel road bike for fast club rides. UBI in Ashland OR has framebuilding classes, but I believe it is a 2 week class.

I figured you'd be interested in building a frame too. Get the torch out! I have my carbon go-fast bike (soon to be bikes plural) for club rides. I have an older heavy steel bike I use for errands. Not suitable for fast nor heavy touring. I could stand to perhaps have a touring bike and/or I like the idea with your bike and the S&S couplers for travel. At any rate, a new bike in the family is a perfect excuse to build another wheelset. The one I built 2 years ago with White Industry hubs and Velocity Aerohead OC rims is doing great, no problems, holds true. I love them, they respond really nice.

Just as an aside I was out that way this morning visiting friends and watching a race, and I also needed to go to Home Depot. Hot Tubes shop is only 10 minutes away from HD so I swung by to see if anyone was in the shop. No one was there although I didn't expect it. I'm familiar with the area because I used to live there but they've done some neat things with the premises. The shop is located in Phoenix Park - it's a green business park redeveloped from an old cotton mill located in one of Shirley's Historic District. They have installed a huge rooftop solar panel system and two other ground solar panels installations on the site. The Park developers used local business geared toward green energy initiatives, and the solar components are Massachusetts made. What's not to like about that. I didn't realize it but it's one of the bigger solar installations in the state. There are 14 revamped buildings geared for small to medium sized business. Another plus.

[SheFly]

Hot Tubes also sponsors a junior race development program - Frank McCormack is one of the coaches, and both his [very fast] sons are members. It's a great shop, and has a terrific reputation for paint! I heard their frame building classes are pretty pricey though.

Mudmucker - were you at Sterling?

SheFly

[DebW]

Hot Tubes also sponsors a junior race development program ... I heard their frame building classes are pretty pricey though.

SheFly

Definitely pricey. HotTubes 1 week framebuilding class costs more that UBI's 2 week class and more than a custom IF steel crown jewel frame. But it is one on one and includes the paint job.

[7rider]

A friend's DH has a HotTubes cyclocross bike.
Pretty hawt! :D

Massachusetts has some GREAT frame builders!!

[mudmucker]

Hot Tubes also sponsors a junior race development program - Frank McCormack is one of the coaches, and both his [very fast] sons are members. It's a great shop, and has a terrific reputation for paint! I heard their frame building classes are pretty pricey though.

Mudmucker - were you at Sterling?

SheFly

Yes. I was there Saturday morning for the Men's 35+ and Women's 3/4.

[SheFly]

Yes. I was there Saturday morning for the Men's 35+ and Women's 3/4.

Sorry to have missed you - I was there at the same time! My DH was racing in the 35+ race. I usually race the Women's 3/4, but took the weekend off ;).

SheFly

[mudmucker]

Likewise, sorry to have missed you as well. The drawbacks of not knowing names or what people look like. I am going to try to get to the Fitchburg race Dec. 18th.

[Laguna]

Maietta is another custom frame builder that got his start working out of the Hot Tubes shop, now has his own place. This thread will shed some light on him and his work. No affiliation.

http://forums.serotta.com/showthread.php?t=82147&page=1&pp=15