What's in a name?

The idea has been dancing around in the back of my head for awhile, but the last couple of frames (and their owners) have spelled it out for me: it's time to drop the "Live Wire".

Why? It's not that I don't like the name, it's just that I don't think it conveys the right message for a made-to-order fully custom frame. As it's often been said when it comes to custom bikes, "You're not buying the frame, you're buying the builder". That's true when you consider that most every builder has the same access to the same materials, so what you're buying is that builder's knowledge and ability to assemble those materials into a form that is both functional and beautiful.

So, while using a brand might be fine for a big company, it feels a little impersonal to me. I put my heart and soul into every frame (usually a bit of blood too!) and it's only right that the bike should reflect that.

From now on, they will all be "Matthews" frames- thanks to John and Stephen for giving me the push I needed.

Now, while I try to figure out how to keep old Live Wire links active to a new blog address, I give you the latest shots from the shop:

A new 29" single speed commuter/trail/everything else bike for Jeff. Hand-curved top tubes, big 35mm down tube...this front triangle had to be perfect right off the torch. It's way too stiff to try to cold set it.

BB cluster still hot! I braze with the frame in a work stand for access, but I always like to pop the frame in back in the jig for a quick alignment check afterwards. It's not a matter if the frame has moved during brazing, it's a matter of did I control the movements so everything ended up in the right place...jig check says, "Yes!"

What are custom hand-bent, four piece seatstays good for if you can't swordfight with them?

Till next time...