Framebuilders in MA

[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

[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

[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.