Interview with Brian Baylis

[LouDeeter]

http://redkiteprayer.com/2013/10/torchbearers-brian-baylis-part-i/

[false_Aest]

I dunno Brian but I've read some of his posts on the internets where he usually comes off as being an angry man. Those posts definitely colored my perception of his bikes.

Good to read something that has a different tone.

But I gotta say I'm tired of seeing images from that first bike.

[fiamme red]

There's also an interview with Richard Sachs in two parts:

http://redkiteprayer.com/2013/10/torchbearers-richard-sachs-part-i/
http://redkiteprayer.com/2013/10/torchbearers-richard-sachs-part-ii/

[Ken Robb]

I know Brian and he is a perfectionist to his vision of what is "right" for his frames. As expensive as his frames have been they probably did not provide him a reasonable compensation for the time and skill he invested in each one. I see them as jewelry in steel. OTOH I have never seen one my size so I have never ridden one.

[ptourkin]

. I see them as jewelry in steel.

Yes. and paint.

My personal favorite part (I've done all of that this week):

"What's the riding like where you live now (La Mesa - San Diego)?"
Brian Baylis: "It’s actually outstanding. If you go east, you go out in the mountains, up into Alpine and all those big climbs. And then you’ve got your coastal ride, down to Coronado and all that. The riding is fantastic, into the boonies or along with coast with all the tri guys. And it’s not really badly trafficked either. A lot of riding out east. We have a velodrome here as well. We have it all, whatever you want."

[jr59]

I don't know Brian at all.

But I got to meet him at the hand made show in Denver this past year. He was easy to talk to and took the time to answer my silly/stupid questions. Keep in mind this was on Sunday afternoon, and everyone was wanting to pack up and go home.

Maybe I just caught him on a good day. Or it was something in the air in Denver. Because at the same time, although a different show, I got to talk to Bruce Gordon and he was as nice as could be. Bruce even joked with me about the buttons that said BG was mean and such. Super nice guys both, when they really didn't need to be!

[David Kirk]

I don't know Brian really - I've just met him a few times and had short conversations. That said he was warm and friendly each time and I very much enjoyed his company.

His artistry speaks for itself and I always enjoy staring at it.

Dave

[John Price]

I've met and talked to Brian a couple of times in Denver - at NAHBS and at the now defunct Rocky Mtn Bike Show. And both times he was nice and a pleasure to talk to. If you ever meet him, be sure to ask about restoring old Bentleys and his handmade knives.

John

[John Price]

By the way, speaking of Wizards, wasn't there going to be a resurrection of sorts of Wizard with something like 40 being made as an anniversary thing ? If so, was/is Brian going to be involved with that ?

Anybody know more ?

John

[Wilkinson4]

Hey JP... Not sure that really got off the ground. I don't think the demand was there and didn't Mike H. get sick.? Lou would know...

Brian is a cool cat... A bit quirky and particular but not angry. He can tell stories about all of the west coast happenings with Jim C, Mario, Dave T., Joe S., Ted K, Jim A, Roland, etc...

There was a lot of drama in the socal frame builders scene.

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/USA/Medici/Medici_and_confente.htm

mIKE

[R2D2]

Hey JP... Not sure that really got off the ground. I don't think the demand was there and didn't Mike H. get sick.? Lou would know...

Brian is a cool cat... A bit quirky and particular but not angry. He can tell stories about all of the west coast happenings with Jim C, Mario, Dave T., Joe S., Ted K, Jim A, Roland, etc...

There was a lot of drama in the socal frame builders scene.

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/USA/Medici/Medici_and_confente.htm

mIKE
Wow...
And I thought there was drama with the Serotta implosion.

[Wilkinson4]

Wow...
And I thought there was drama with the Serotta implosion.

Ya, still bad blood between a few of those guys I guess. Some crazy stories for sure.


mIKE

[pbarry]

Single man shop frame building is not a generator of life of the party people. Some gravitate to the work from the desire to create alone, others find the niche after leaving a larger enterprise. I've met a several U.S./UK builders, who've been in business for 30+ years, in their workplaces. Steve Potts, Ron Cooper, (RIP), and Mark Nobilette stand out as being super nice and unaffected by the tens of thousands of hours spent alone working their craft. Some others might be, (not necessarily), curmudgeons, but they all do excellent work. :hello: