Service Project Reflection

For my service project, I shadowed a bicycle frame builder from Eugene, Oregon named Aj Lu, owner of Muirandessi Cycles. Aj’s interest in framebuilding started four years ago when his good friend Erik showed Aj his shop with all the necessary framebuilding tools. Aj thought to himself,  “this is amazing. I want to know more.” He then attended a welding course at his local community college. Upon completion of the welding program, he attended the United Bicycle Institute in Portland, Oregon where he learned how to weld with brass/silver filler rod. After he gained his certificate of completion, he started doing a lot of research, trying to gain as much knowledge as he could, and acquiring tools along the way. Eventually he worked at a bicycle fabrication shop as a welding instructor, who specializes in producing unique bicycles for the public. A year later, he decided to leave that business and start his own.

 

I met Aj at this very bicycle fabrication shop who was hosting a DIY framebuilding course. Aj taught me how to fillet braze a bicycle frame as apart of my senior project in high school. Since then, I had Aj build a custom track bike for me. During the creation of this frame, Aj taught me a lot about bicycles, and the construction behind them. I’ve learned that even the smallest changes in the orientation, or position of a tube on the bike can significantly change the handling and performance of the bike. Aj was a very informative teacher for me when it came to bicycles. Most of the knowledge that I know today has came from him.

 

I recently visited Aj’s shop again to catch up, and assist him in any current projects he’s been working on. During my visit, Aj had be help him fillet braze a bicycle stem. He trusted me welding the initial welds on the joints of the stem because he taught me how to weld, and has seen me in action. I felt pretty confident in my ability to initially weld the joints on this stem. Before actually welding the stem, I had to practice my welds on some scrap pieces of metal. I was excited to have an opportunity to fillet braze once again, feeling the heat from the torch, and seeing the brass liquify on the metal was invigorating. As much fun as I had practicing on the flat pieces of scrap metal, the real challenge was to weld on the round surface of the stem. This was the most difficult part for me because, the welder has to move fairly quickly after getting the metal up to temperature, and its important to retain the temperature while welding that way the brass can fully penetrate through the metal. A lot goes on during a seemingly simple process such as welding.

 

Aj has been a big source of inspiration and insight for me when it comes to cycling. Him showing me what is out there in the custom bicycle world has unlocked a lot of possibilities for me. My perception of bikes has changed significantly now that I know the kind of work that goes into a frame, and the components. When I built my own frame under the guidance of Aj, I was aware of what the bike could and couldn’t handle when I rode it. Having a deeper understanding of the material has made me realize the capabilities of a steel bicycle. Throughout my experience in cycling, the common perception among recreational cyclist of a steel bike is, it’s strong, durable, and heavy. A vast majority of bikes that are used in professional racing are made from either carbon, or aluminum. This is because of how light and stiff the materials are. Despite what a majority of cycling enthusiasts may think about steel bicycles, I’ve learned it's a common misconception that steel bikes are inferior to bikes made from different materials. It is possible to make a lightweight and stiff steel bike frame, given the right construction, tubing sizes, and geometry. Steel has become the prefered material for custom framebuilders because of how forgiving and versatile the material is. The builder has a much wider range of customization and can employ the use of lugs, which are metal connecting joints that the metal tubes socket into, and are then welded around the edges of the lugs.

 

Having more knowledge of framebuilding has given me insight to the possibilities of future custom bikes that I might be interested in the future. But, it has also given me another perspective on material, when it comes to sculpture and artwork. Lately, I have been able to apply similar construction techniques to sculptures I have created in my classes at PSU. Overall, I am very happy to reconnect with Aj and be able to revisit a craft that has enriched my cycling interest.