Evolution of a Frame Builder

by Simon · 02/09/2014

By the turn of the century Ashley was still house sharing with another bike mechanic, Ian Harman, and they began discussing ideas for future work options and eventually hit upon the idea of servicing the static bikes used in gyms for spin classes. To keep their overheads down the duo worked from home, under the name Brockley Bikes simply because they were based in London suburb of Brockley. The business then began to develop when the boys gained the contract to service the bicycles used by the Metropolitan Police. Not wanting to have police knocking on the door every day, Ashley and Ian decided to make the move into a dedicated workshop.

Ashley Malcolm at work

“We put a sign outside the unit we were renting and now we specialise in servicing and repair work, and we’re pretty fortunate that we have regular clients that have some nice machinery that they pay us to maintain,” says Ashley about the subtle change in direction.

Malcolm road bike

Such is the reputation that Brockley Bikes has developed for its service and repair work (and if you have any doubts about Ashley’s skill as mechanic a quick search online will reveal a video of him building a wheel while blind-folded) that around three and a half years ago when one of its customers, who had understood metalwork but had less knowledge about bicycles, decided he wanted to try frame building he approached Ashley with a suggestion: he’d teach Ashley to braze if Ashley would demystify bicycle frame design and cycle mechanics.

The Malcolm workshop

“I did it with him for a few months, but he wasn’t really listening to me. I was doing lots of research on frame building by then and I suddenly realised I already had the base knowledge needed to become a frame builder. I know what makes a good frame and how a bike should ride in different disciplines through my racing history.

“After a few false starts I was soon able to build my first frame. I am fortunate that Darrell McCulloch, of Llewellyn Custom Bikes, in Australia has become a good friend. When I first contacted him he didn’t want to know. He thought I was just another wannabe frame builder, until I explained I was an ex-pat Aussie living in London and running a bike shop, and now whenever I have a problem I can talk to him and he advises me on potential solutions. Before he passed away I used to regularly visit Ron Cooper as well and he gave me a lot of really good advice.

“That first frame turned out really nice and rode well; of course, it could have been better but it gave us something to work from. The next frame was built for Ian and then I built one for myself, and the first ride on that one was both happy and sad. Here was a frame that I instantly liked to ride more than my Colnago Master.”