Evolution of a Frame Builder

by Simon · 02/09/2014

Those first few frame builds acted as proof of concept and gave Ashley the confidence he needed to approach Brockley Bikes’ customers with a special offer on custom frames built under the Malcolm Custom Bicycles label. Ten bikes would be built with the new owners only paying for the materials used; the labour and knowledge needed to create them would be provided free. The scheme worked and with the new found confidence this gave him Ashley began on a very special project to officially launch his frame building business at Bespoked 2014 (The UK Handmade Bicycle Show). Built in the memory of the man from whom he learnt much about custom frame building, the Ron Cooper Tribute bike was the 11th frame to take shape in the workshop of Brockley Bikes. It features Columbus Gara tubing for the frame and matching Columbus Max forks with detailing that includes internal brake routing, custom made seat stays and a limited edition bronze head badge.

Malcolm custom fixie

Talking about why he built the bike Ashley says, “We made it as a tribute to one of the greatest frame builders to ever live, Ron Cooper, who sadly passed away at the end of 2012. He helped me become a master frame builder along with being a good friend and gentleman. He harked from the Brockley area too and had a shop in Honor Oak for many years.”

In the original plan for the Ron Cooper Tribute the bike didn’t feature Columbus Max fork blades. That however, changed after Ashley made the decision, at short notice, to attend the North American Hand Built Show (the US frame builder’s show that paved the way for Bespoked). “Attending NAHBS changed my plans for Bepsoked. I had three days on my own at NAHBS just looking at things, attending seminars and talking to people. I got to talk with Henry James (the owner of Henry James Lugs) about Ron Copper, and other people I talked to helped me to get back in touch with my heritage. It was also a great place to pick up new ideas and see how other people are dealing with design issues. It made me feel good about what we’ve been able to achieve in such a short time. It was very inspirational. As I was flying home from NAHBS I knew the Ron Cooper Tribute just had to have Max fork blades to tie in with the chainstays.”

Handbuilt frames requires traditional craftsmenship

When I visited the shop, to talk to Ashley about this feature, the finishing touches were being done on frame number 12. A frame which is being left raw, the only decoration being the raised stainless steel MALCOLM lettering on the downtube, the whole package being oiled in much the same way as classic shotguns are. The real beauty of this frame, however, is that it shows of the skill that goes into traditional frame construction, the slim line of braze at the edge of each lug can clearly be seen, and then there are the little extra details. Mounted between the top and down tubes is what at first appears to be a traditional style race number plate, but is in actual fact a bottle opener. Then there are the almost hidden adjusters under the bottom bracket shell for the gear cables. I could tell you more about them but I’m sworn to secrecy until Ashley has built a few more frames using them and his secret solution becomes public knowledge.