Victoria Cycles
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If you're looking for fine quality, handmade, lugged steel bicycle frames, you have arrived.
Victoria Cycles is dedicated to providing the best possible fit and a ride quality that can only be achieved by a bicycle built just for you. Custom is not an option, it's how it's done.
Why steel?
Because it still has the feel by which all other materials are measured. The choices of the currently available steel tubes can create a frame that is not only light, but retains that great springy feel. A ride that has not been provided by the large companies for some time.
Why lugged?
I will build fillet brazed frames and in fact, some of my designs use a combination of the two. I prefer lugged construction for a couple of very good reasons. First, it's classic and just looks great and provides some very cool options when it comes to the lugwork. Secondly, and most importantly is the structure. This type of construction uses the lowest possible temperature, which won't distort the tube, and the lugs themselves act to reinforce the joint. There is actual benefit to the tiny bit of added weight of a cromoly lug.
Why don't the big companies build this way anymore?
This is very simple, cost. Lugged construction is the most costly form of steel bicycle production. The lugs are cast from cromoly steel and not cheap. You must use 56% silver solder to join it, which is tied to the silver market, again not cheap. Then there is the labor, it is one of the most time consuming forms of construction. There is a huge overseas labor market that can weld bicycle frames, and the tubing manufacturers have answered the call with tube sets designed to be welded. This saves time and money, which for a large manufacturer, is the bottom line.
Take the time to look at the rest of the site. If you are interested in a bicycle made the old fashioned way, designed just for you and with your needs in mind, contact me and lets discuss your new ride.
Victoria Cycles is dedicated to providing the best possible fit and a ride quality that can only be achieved by a bicycle built just for you. Custom is not an option, it's how it's done.
Why steel?
Because it still has the feel by which all other materials are measured. The choices of the currently available steel tubes can create a frame that is not only light, but retains that great springy feel. A ride that has not been provided by the large companies for some time.
Why lugged?
I will build fillet brazed frames and in fact, some of my designs use a combination of the two. I prefer lugged construction for a couple of very good reasons. First, it's classic and just looks great and provides some very cool options when it comes to the lugwork. Secondly, and most importantly is the structure. This type of construction uses the lowest possible temperature, which won't distort the tube, and the lugs themselves act to reinforce the joint. There is actual benefit to the tiny bit of added weight of a cromoly lug.
Why don't the big companies build this way anymore?
This is very simple, cost. Lugged construction is the most costly form of steel bicycle production. The lugs are cast from cromoly steel and not cheap. You must use 56% silver solder to join it, which is tied to the silver market, again not cheap. Then there is the labor, it is one of the most time consuming forms of construction. There is a huge overseas labor market that can weld bicycle frames, and the tubing manufacturers have answered the call with tube sets designed to be welded. This saves time and money, which for a large manufacturer, is the bottom line.
Take the time to look at the rest of the site. If you are interested in a bicycle made the old fashioned way, designed just for you and with your needs in mind, contact me and lets discuss your new ride.
