Design and build a fully bespoke steel bicycle frame in our five-day Full Custom Framebuilding 101 course. Create a frame for your exact fit, riding style, and intended use, with expert guidance.
£1,650.00 inc. VAT
Design and build a fully bespoke steel bicycle frame.
A five-day framebuilding course with extended custom design work beforehand.
Secure your place with a 50% deposit — balance due 30 days before the course begins.
For Cycle To Work Scheme options just get in touch.
See Klarna finance options.
If you’re more focused on fit, geometry, and the build process, Framebuilding 101 – Stayer Design may be the better place to start →
If you’re unsure which option fits your ideas best, we’ll confirm this together during the pre-course design session.
Framebuilding 101 – Full Custom is for those who want to go further and design something entirely their own.
The workshop week follows the same five-day structure as the Framebuilding 101 Course, but this route includes a more involved design process beforehand. You’ll work closely with Sam to develop new geometry or incorporate bespoke features before you arrive, so you can start the build week with a fully resolved custom design.
This is the right option if you already have a specific frame in mind, want to explore custom details, or are interested in going deeper into frame design before you start cutting tubes.
If you’d like a preview of what the experience involves, you can watch our Framebuilding 101 videos on the Stayer YouTube channel.
In good time before the course begins, we’ll meet one-on-one via Zoom to prepare your frame design and make sure everything is ready for the workshop week.
During this session, we’ll:
For many people, having a recent professional bike fit is a real advantage — particularly if you’re new to the style of bike you’re building, don’t yet have a strong sense of your ideal position, or simply want extra confidence before committing to a frame design. While a professional fit isn’t required, good fit data makes the design process smoother and helps ensure the finished frame rides exactly as intended.
We’ll work with the information you have and advise if anything further would be helpful before finalising the design.
By the time the workshop starts, your design will be agreed and ready, so you can focus on the hands-on build process.
Next, you’ll join us in the workshop for five days of practical learning. To begin, you’ll build a “mini-frame” to practise the essential techniques, such as:
Fillet brazing around mitered tube joints
Silver soldering small components
Using a brazing torch safely and effectively
Then, you’ll move on to your own steel frame. At this stage, you’ll:
Miter and tack the tubes
Fillet braze the key joints
Attach frame furniture using silver solder
Finish the frame to an unfiled brass fillet finish
Throughout the course, we guide you step by step so you can learn each technique safely and confidently.
Materials are not included in the Framebuilding 101 – Full Custom course.
This is because costs vary depending on your design choices, tubing selection, and the level of bespoke detail involved.
As a guide, most material costs are similar to the standard Framebuilding 101 course, typically from around £400, but they may be higher or lower depending on your requirements. Final costs will be discussed and agreed during the pre-course design process.
Materials generally include tubing, dropouts, and brazing consumables.
Please note that the course focuses on frame construction only. Forks and other bicycle components are not included.
We primarily work with tubing from Reynolds and Columbus, along with high-quality frame parts and dropouts from Paragon Machine Works. We’ll help you choose the most appropriate materials for your design, budget, and intended use during your design consultation.
We use industry-standard tubing, frame parts, and design tools throughout the course.
Students who complete Framebuilding 101 are also eligible for a BikeCAD Pro discount, should they wish to continue designing frames after the course.
By the end of the five-day build week, your frame will be structurally complete and ready for finishing.
If you’d like to keep the fillets un-filed, the frame can go straight to paint as it is. Alternatively, you can file the fillets yourself after the course — we’re happy to show you how and talk through the process so you can do this at home if you wish.
Once you’re happy with the frame, it will need to be painted.
Please note: paint and powder coating are not included in the course price.
As a guide, our rAwrAw powdercoat finish is £315, which includes frame preparation, coating, and post-coating chasing and facing. This is a hard-wearing industrial finish designed to keep your own workmanship visible. It consists of a phosphate dip followed by a transparent powdercoat.
Wet paint finishes are available through external painters, but typically cost significantly more than powder coating.
You’re also welcome to have the frame painted elsewhere. If you do, we can provide Stayer down-tube and head-tube logo files should you want to use them.
Finishing options can be discussed during the course. Many students spend time looking at frames we have in the workshop before deciding, and there’s no need to commit until you’ve seen the options in person.
This course covers brass fillet brazing only. TIG welding and lugged construction are not included.
You’ll build from drawings agreed during the design consultation. Because of the schedule, major design changes cannot be made during the workshop.
To ensure that you finish a rideable frame in five days, our team may complete small preparatory steps. Therefore, the process is slightly condensed to fit the timeframe.
Cancellations
You may cancel up to 14 days after booking. If you book within six weeks of the start date, cancellation terms may vary. A small fee may apply if you pay via methods other than direct bank transfer.
Framebuilding 101 isn’t just a course; it’s an introduction to a community of riders and builders who value craft, performance, and hands-on learning. You’ll leave with a rideable steel frame that you built yourself, along with skills you can apply to future projects.
Personalised Instruction: With only four students per course, you’ll receive focused guidance tailored to your needs.
Expert Framebuilders: Learn from experienced builders who are passionate about custom steel frames.
Your Own Custom Frame: By the end of the course, you will have designed and built a steel frame to your exact specifications. Reay to be ridden – hard.
Prepare and plan a steel frame for your build
Mitre and fit tubes accurately
Fillet braze structural joints
Silver solder fittings and frame details
Use frame jigs, torches, and workshop tools safely
Understand alignment and fundamental geometry principles
Leave with a rideable steel frame you built yourself
Framebuilding 101 is designed for anyone curious about how steel bikes are made — no prior workshop experience required. This course is well suited to:
Riders who want to understand their bikes on a deeper level
Makers and tinkerers looking to expand their workshop skills
Aspiring framebuilders wanting a structured first step
Designers, mechanics, or engineers interested in hands-on fabrication
Anyone who enjoys learning by doing and wants a practical challenge
If you’re interested in craft, precision, and making something functional with your own hands, you’ll fit right in.
Five full days of hands-on instruction in the Stayer workshop
One-to-one pre-course custom design session via Zoom
Use of all tools, jigs, and workshop equipment
Safety gear (gloves, goggles)
Your completed bespoke steel frame, ready for final finishing
Clothing suitable for a workshop (non-synthetic recommended)
Close-toed shoes
Your own lunch or snacks (shops nearby)
Arrival is between 9:00–10:00am, with workshop sessions typically starting at 10:00am.
We usually finish around 4:00pm.
The days are hands-on and fairly intense, but we’re flexible where needed and will make sure the work gets done.
The course takes place at the Stayer workshop in East London.
If you’re travelling from outside London, Stratford has a good range of nearby hotels, and there are also plenty of Airbnb options in the surrounding area.
Public transport connections are good, and we’ll share detailed location information after booking.
Tell us what you’d like to build or repair, or simply let us know you’re interested in a future Project Week. We’ll recommend how many days you’ll need, discuss your project, and confirm suitable dates before you book.
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