Solder your own bike frame: The dream comes true in the frame building course
Jan Timmermann
· 15.02.2026
Individualists can struggle with "off-the-peg" bikes: not the ideal geometry, not the desired feature, not enough charisma? When tuning and replacing parts reach their limits, the frame needs to be customised.
A bike chassis completely customised to your personal dreams: A customised frame promises fulfilment. There are providers on the market who deliver a finished product after personal consultation with the customer and those who allow the customer to solder the frame themselves. We provide an overview of the process of a frame building course and present four contact points.
Frame building course: Do it yourself!
In such frame-building courses, a frame is created in a workshop lasting several days by professionals and amateurs working together. Interested parties should generally allow a week for a customised mountain bike frame.
The providers of frame building courses rely exclusively on steel. The classic round tubes are easiest to solder together in a suitably equipped workshop. Frame builders can order the raw material directly from Columbus or Reynolds, for example.
More complex components, such as dropouts, can be ordered from suppliers such as Paragon Machine Works according to the respective requirements. External specialists are also usually called in for special orders, such as the production of individual milled parts or the bending of tubes.
The requirements and objectives are defined by all frame builders during discussions prior to the course. The desired standards must also be defined, such as the brake mount, the bottom bracket shell or the mounting of the headset. There is also a need to discuss the number of bottle cages, luggage or gear mounts and the type of cable routing.
In the course itself, the steel tubes are first cut to size, then processed by grinding or filing and soldered together. Deburring and thread cutting are important to ensure that everything fits in the end. The post-processing and painting of the customised frame can protect it from corrosion and can be carried out in the desired colour either in-house or by an external service provider.
The costs for a frame construction course are made up of the course fees and the material costs. The latter in particular can vary greatly depending on the project.
Big Forest Frameworks
Big Forest Frameworks is probably the best-known address for customised frame building courses in this country and is even the largest provider in Europe. Robert Piontek was born in the USA and holds a doctorate in astrophysics. He offers a wide range of different courses, from two-day courses for customers with little time to 15-day masterclasses.
Combined courses for several frames are also possible. There is a guarantee promise for the frames built with care: A frame from Big Forest Frameworks should last at least 20 years or 100,000 kilometres. There is also a new online course for frame builders who want to set up a company, for example.
- Duration: 2-15 days
- Place: Potsdam
- Price: from 1500 euros (course fees) + from 700 euros (material costs)
- Portfolio: Online / on site, steel frames (mountain bike, road bike, gravel bike, cargo bike)
Leovelo Frameworks
With Leo from Leovelo, a customised steel frame is not just for the elite. Even young people without much previous experience but with wild ideas can build their own unique bike under the supervision of the trained bicycle mechanic.
The five-day individual course in the new Leovelo workshop in Basel begins with a bike fitting and ends with a customised frame. There are no taboos for Leo and even unusual requests are dealt with together.
- Duration: 5 days
- Location: Basel
- Price: from 1500 euros (course fee) + from 500 euros (material costs)
- Portfolio: Steel frames (mountain bikes / gravel bikes / randonneurs / touring bikes)
SeLi frame construction
Sebastian Lindler has over 17 years of experience as a frame builder and offers all kinds of services in his large workshop, from conversions to frame building courses. Appointments in the beautiful Palatinate are possible by individual arrangement. A maximum of two people can take part in a course at the same time. Customers will find a large selection of tubes, soldered and add-on parts in the in-house warehouse.
- Duration: 5 days
- Place: Dörrenbach
- Price: from 2500 euros (course fees including material costs)
- Portfolio: Steel frame (mountain bike / road bike / gravel bike)
Le Canard
True to the motto "the machine must adapt to the person" and not the other way round, frame construction expert Le Canard attaches great importance to customised dimensions. Many tube options and equipment parts can be viewed and touched on site in order to configure your own dream frame.
Both the modern Filles Brazed and, on request, the classic lugged construction method are part of the portfolio. Behind Le Canard is a collective with close links between specialised dealers and master frame builders. The "supervised construction" in Bochum lasts around four days.
- Duration: 3-4 days
- Place: Bochum
- Price: by arrangement
- Portfolio: Steel frame (mountain bike / road bike / randonneur / gravel)
Conclusion
It's every bike freak's dream: to build their own frame - as a manifestation of their passion, so to speak. The chance to do this with your own hands and under the supervision of professionals is probably at the top of every bike enthusiast's wish list. I, for one, have already signed up for a frame building course to build a customised 32-inch bike - - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
BIKE editor Jan Timmermann is a true mountain biker. His interests cover almost everything from marathon to trail bikes and from street to gravel. True to the motto "life is too short for boring bikes", the technical editor's heart lies above all in bikes with charisma. Jan also runs the fitness centre for our cycling brands.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
