Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
I hope you all had a great holiday.
I’ve been lurking around on the forum absorbing information for a while but have not posted or introduced myself.
My name is Simon, I’m in my final year of study on a 3D Design degree here in London.
I am about to attempt to start building my first (lugged) frame after much reading, preparation and mitring/brazing practice (thanks everyone for the wealth of information on here that has got me this far).
I’m currently writing a dissertation tentatively titled: The resurgence of the hand-crafted bicycle: A result of a return to ethical making processes or fashionably ‘authentic’ consumption?
I was wondering if anyone would be willing to answer a few questions that will help me with this dissertation?
I hope it’s OK to start a thread on here to ask this (I’m not really sure of forum rules/etiquette regarding something like this, especially this being my second post). Please let me know if it’s not good form or if this is in the wrong area and I’ll remove it.
I thought this might be the best way of gaining some information and opinions from framebuilders without cold-emailing and bothering the builders who are either too busy or taking valuable time from those who are too polite to not ignore my email.
This way no one need feel bad if you don't want to reply and I don't feel as if I'm bothering individuals who are not interested.
Below are the list of questions I've compiled (there are rather a lot of them, sorry!)
Apologies if some of the questions may be a little obvious or you've heard (and answered) a lot of them before but I need to show evidence of primary research.
If anyone could manage to answer even a few of them I'd really appreciate it.
(I can send my email address to those who would prefer their answers to be private).
Thanks in advance for taking the time to help me out.
Cheers
Si

1.a. Why do you think that there is a resurgence of interest in the handmade bicycle and an increased fascination in its design & construction?
1.b. Do you think that the fact the frame is hand-crafted is as important to the customer as it being a bespoke fit? Do you think people are drawn to the craft process as much as the finished article?
1.c. Other than a person with unusual proportions, why do you think that someone would choose a custom frame over an off the peg?
1.d. Why the resurgence in steel over aluminium or carbon fibre? Do you think this is as much down to the process as the evolution of the material?

2.a. Is it important to you to be respected as a maker and for you to be in charge of the entire process?
2.b. Do you think nostalgia for a simpler, slower and more ‘authentic’ way of life is a factor in this resurgence?
2.c. Do you think people with this nostalgic idea of the traditional craftsman’s way of life as being of more value are wearing rose-tinted spectacles?

3.a. Do you think there is a growing desire for people to customise their own environments & experiences as an expression of their identity?
3.b. Do you think we may be entering a cultural revolution? Is this a back-to-the-handmade movement or a back-to-the-aesthetics-of-the-handmade movement?
3.c. Are we gradually losing processes which take time and care in favour of fast/now/today culture?

4.a. Do you think the mediocrity of the vast majority of bicycles produced nowadays has been a catalyst in the rise in popularity of handmade bicycles? A response to the industry sacrificing quality for speed/profit? A reaction against disposable culture and planned obsolescence?
4.b. Do you think buying into a lifestyle is playing a part in lifting the profile of custom frame-builders? What are your views on cycling sub-cultures such as the urban fixed-gear scene?
4.c. Do you think the handmade bicycle fits in nicely with the current trend in sustainable, ‘authentic’ products?
4.d. Do you think that this resurgence might be a fad, or is the current interest in handmade bicycles sustainable?

5.a. Do you think the bicycle has become more of a cherished status object, rather than a means of transportation?
5.b. Do you think people see the craft of custom frame-building as an art form now? If so, why?
5.c. Do you think the rise in the numbers of custom frame-builders is indicative of the current reaction to mass production?
5.d. Why do you think there has been a shift in the centre of the craft of frame building from UK/Italy/France to the U.S?

6.a. Has the internet had a strong impact on consumers knowledge about bicycles? Are they now more demanding and in what ways?
6.b. Do you think the numbers of frame-builders are rising as there is now more knowledge easily available through web forums? What advantages and disadvantages are there with this available information?
6.c. Why do you think American frame-builders are much more open to sharing information than their British counterparts?