Video: One of the nicest frame builders, a man of metal

[#campyuserftw]

I am grateful for my interesting conversations with biker, bike builder, wheel builder, and a man of engineering know-how, Jamie Swan. He never drank coffee, it was always green tea with honey (in case you offer him a cup). He is, in every sense of the word, a teacher. If you like bikes, this is worth your time, and one of his frames, a rare thing, is made by the hands, and mind of subtle genius:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_5IBNVBrXfc

Chapeau Mr. Swan.

[Hawker]

That was great. What a gorgeous home shop, looks exactly like the classic old school shop should. Romance and passion aside, ultimately you have to pay the bills.

[54ny77]

that dude's been around.

you should see his archives website. it's awesome.

http://www.jamieswan.net/index.html

[mike p]

Very cool. I really never knew much about him.

Mike

[cachagua]

I just spend an hour in his photo galleries (and didn't finish). Unbelievable. Absolutely off-the-scale. What an incredible life!

[54ny77]

Yup his photo galleries from the 70's/80's and the stories behind 'em are off the charts awesome. It's a treasure trove.

A few pals are in there, as are acquaintances. It's provided good fodder for big-hair-under-leather-hairnet jokes. :D

[#campyuserftw]

At 4:30 in the vid, photo, second from left...that's Big George.

Jamie is a super cool dude. No inflated ego. A nice guy who was around during a great time period of cycling, driven to learn, and willing to teach

[jensenn]

that was such a great read, thanks for sharing.

i just spent 4 hours at work going through the whole website.

[rwsaunders]

This Jamie Swan bike that was posted a few months ago made my bike porn list.

[Gsinill]

Didn't have time yet to dig through his whole website but at the first glance it didn't look like he's still building frames (no price list or order section). Since he also mentioned in the video that he's now working full time elsewhere, I just assumed he's not doing new frames anymore.
Guess I was wrong?

[Hawker]

that was such a great read, thanks for sharing.

i just spent 4 hours at work going through the whole website.

I'm sure your boss would be proud of you. :)

[Hawker]

At 4:30 in the vid, photo, second from left...that's Big George.

Jamie is a super cool dude. No inflated ego. A nice guy who was around during a great time period of cycling, driven to learn, and willing to teach

Who are the guys on either side of George, they look familiar? I have just spent some time as well going through his photo archives. Pretty fantastic if you are into racing in the 70s and 80s.

[veloduffer]

Thanks for the video. I hung from time to time around Jamie's shop in Centerport and later Northport when I lived on Long Island. I remember the only brand he carried at that time was Bridgestone (I might have bought my RB-2 from him), and later just before he closed his shop, he had talked about building bikes. Super nice guy and his bikes look great. Love that fork crown on his bike.

[plattyjo]

Thanks for sharing that; I love watching profiles about frame builders and their craft.