London Frame Builders | Saffron Frameworks
Since settling into our Spitalfields store we’ve set about making new friends and finding local brands who share our values. What we found was a small community of frame builders, each offering their own bespoke experience, all sharing our love for cycling. We went and met a few of them in their workshops and asked a couple of questions.
Saffron Frameworks is a frame builder with a passion for designing and creating truly beautiful but functional bicycles. Every one of their frames are uniquely designed and built for you.
What were you doing before you started frame building and what led you to it?
I was a Chef de Cuisine - Chronic fatigue led me out of the kitchen. I was racing at the time, my life stopped when chronic fatigue set in and depression took over. I read an interview with Darren Crisp of Crisp Titanium which was the catalyst that drew me out of depression and onto the road to becoming a frame builder. The journey started in 2009.
What is the strangest request you’ve received from a customer regarding their new frame?
An A frame bicycle.
What do you think will be the next major innovation for road bikes and is there anything you’d like to see become the norm in the future for cycling?
This is 3D printing. For carbon and steel bicycles.
What was your favourite ride of 2018 and which ride are you most looking forward to/dreaming of this year?
2018 saw me off the bike mostly as i spent it recovering from worn away cartilage in my knees. At this point i will be happy just getting lost on a trail in the woods.
If you could build frames for a cycling team past or present, road or otherwise, who would it be?
Ha, this is a current rider, named Dan Craven. I have so much love for this man. We built him a frame to race in the Commonwealth games!