On the eve of the Made framebuilding and artisan maker showcase – happening this Friday through Sunday at Zidell Yards in Portland, OR – framebuilder Chris Blandford is announcing an upcoming project to open a framebuilding school that incorporates bike building education, community development, and economic sustainability.
Not much of Escape Collective’s bicycle industry reporting has had a positive angle lately. Unfortunately, brands continue to struggle in the aftermath of the pandemic’s boom and bust, coupled with more recent tariff-induced economic woes and uncertainties. Small to medium-sized companies seem to struggle the most, while many of the larger ones appear insulated, though still vulnerable. Regardless of size, however, prices are rising, and consumers are becoming increasingly protective of where and how they spend their money.
The current environment can be particularly challenging for the smallest businesses, those run by a sole proprietor or a small team. Their profit margins tend to be razor-thin with lengthy production timelines, often the realm of artists who spun up brands without developing much business acumen first.
Just last week, for example, Whit Johnson of Meriwether Cycles announced that his long-time custom frame operation would be shutting its doors due to lack of orders and rising raw material costs. “I’m a terrible businessman,” he wrote in a recent blog post announcing the closure, where he reflected on the challenges of running a profitable company. Johnson's candor is admirable, but such a grim reality can affect even savvy businesspeople in the current economic environment.
Like what you're reading? There's much more, but you'll have to be a member to read it. Escape Collective is 100% membership-funded, with no advertising and no affiliate links in our product reviews. Our work is only possible through your support. Need another reason to join? Our Member Purchase program offers discounts of 20% or more from participating brands like Velocio, Ritchey, Hunt Wheels and more (we get no revenue from your purchases; this is purely a member benefit).
However, there have been some positive stories within the doomscrolling – as Escape Collective has also reported on – including Stinner spinning up an impressive stock and contract production operation, Revel landing back in the hands of its founder, and Sanitas Cycles purchasing the legacy Waterford and Gunnar brands as part of its expansion.
Josh Weinberg
Firsthand Framebuilding School
With Made right around the corner, there will likely be more inspiring stories of small-scale brands finding creative ways to make a living through creating clever products and usable art.
Blandford is such an individual, a builder who is at once working behind the scenes to continue the area’s legacy of artisanry and also stepping out to create an exciting new chapter. In addition to his framebuilder role, Blandford runs Firsthand Framebuilding, which is the US distributor of Reynolds tubing and other fabrication accessories. And he's adding even more roles.
Did we do a good job with this story?
