I have not really been in the position to have that conversation yet, which I think is the product of a few factors. One of which, is that people who approach me to build them a bike, generally know what style of frames I build and what tube joining method has become my signature. Post frame #001, I have been an exclusive TIG builder. I have one lugged bike in my portfolilo and no fillet brazed frames, so when people look at my work or see it in person, they really only see Maietta TIG welded frames. No one has asked me for anything else, and as stated in a previous response, I don't have much desire to enter those worlds. I would consider building a lugged frame under the right circumstances, but I would refer a fillet brazed request to another framebuilder who specializes in that (or ask them to consider TIG). Most of the re-direction I have to convey to customers is with tubing preference; "I'd like a cross frame made from Columbus Spirit, I want the lightest frame possible, and by the way I weigh 215." I've had to talk people out of this, but they are generally really understanding when you explain one (likely) crash would dent tubes (or other negative factors too).
In terms of styles of frames, I haven't turned away a request yet (not to say I won't, but I haven't been asked to make that frame yet...whatever that frame is). I don't put out there that I am an expert in fixed gear, rando, or townie frames, so the requests are few. When I do get one, I assess it case by case, but generally I tell the customer that I don't have knowledge in that area and will borrow principles from existing examples out there; or I ask them for a recipe on how to make what they want. The design of these frames is much more collaborative. With road, cross, and hardtail mountain frames the process is more centered on me designing and the customer trusting my knowledge in that area.
From a painter's perspective I have to steer people pretty frequently. Whether its fade combos that they think will mesh well but actually will look hideous (they just don't know it), to false impressions of what an idea will look like on a round tube vs. a 2D drawing on paper, to designs that are simply too complicated to execute. While everyone might not like the paint on all my frames, I've yet to have an executable design be asked for that I think is just hideous. If I did have one such request I'd work with them to try and massage it a bit. Ultimately they're paying thousands of dollars for the bicycle, but my name is also on there too. I think its fair to have some standard for what you will and won't paint for someone.
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