Since Christopher Igleheart, the Godfather of independent frame building, isn’t kookoo-crazy enough with the lead up to NAHBS, we decided to bug him with a few inane questions (to answer in his free time). Lucky for us, he obliged, but not without flipping the script once or twice in the process. He was even nice enough to send us a cryptic photo of something secret he’s working on.
BR: Are your plans for NAHBS a secret, or can you tell us a little bit about what you’re showing?
CI: Bikes – Stainless – Shiny – lots of braze ons – mudguard – forks for all occasions
BR: What about the booth, anything extra-special-crazy in the booth department?
CI: Bicycles
BR: What do you see as the hot trend at NAHBS this year? (Continued after the break.)
CI: Bicycles that people ride
BR: What is the lamest frame building trend ever?
CI: NAHBS bicycles that aren’t for customers just the booth. LAME!
BR: What is the most challenging or horrible thing you’ve had to do as a frame builder.
CI: When you leave a place that dark you don’t shine the light on it again. Next.
BR: What is your favorite type of bike to build?
CI: Ones people like to ride
BR: As a frame builder is there anything you absolutely will not to? Like a not-without-a-gun-to-my-head type thing?
CI: It’s funny you mention guns in relation to frame building. Many of the tools for frame building in the early days were also common to gunsmithing. ” I’ll sort out your roadster and have your hunting rifle done by the end of the week.”
BR: Sum up your entire bicycle building philosophy in one word or less. Kidding. How about three words?
CI: I love to make Bicycles. (sorry it was 5 words)
BR: If you weren’t building bikes, what would you be doing?
CI: Riding bikes. Der……
BR: Who is your bike-building idol? Who do you look up to?
CI: Simon Cowell. Best judge ever on American Idol. Not too sure about the new line up. Although that Jaylo is easy on the eyes…..No actually it’s Peter Weigle, & Idon’t have a tv
BR: This one is important. Of the people showing at NAHBS, who is the last frame builder you would ever want to fight? Like physically.
CI: I heard you work for trek? Do they really make you drink the kool-aid? LAY O Pard Pard Pard Pardsons.
