SOPWAMTOS stands for the Society of People Who Actually Make Their Own Shit. Notice that the ‘Society’ does not have a geographical designation. It’s not necessarily owned by any one country – it just so happened that being Americans that have seen millions of jobs (as well as many within the bike industry) shipped overseas, SOPWAMTOS naturally had an American voice. So surprised were we to hear from bike builders and small manufacturers all over the world saying that they are doing the same thing… (making their own shit) and feeling a little bit conflicted about SOPWAMTOS. Like it is some American-Only Society. That’s not the case – we just aren’t always privy to the goings on in other reaches of the world no matter how much we try to be. We appreciate the heads up from the folks that are bucking the trend and continuing to build their own shit.
Some of it looks pretty damn cool:
VRZ 1. a tack bike frame with 3d printed lugs from Ralf Holleis on Vimeo.
So, for our bike building brethren from across the pond, we see the work that you’re doing. As we have said before, true innovation and the pushing of artistic boundaries exist in the minds and are built by the hands of the craft builder. Keep on building cool shit, because that’s really what the bike industry needs. Not more lawsuits. But you already knew that.
Wow, cool video. What an amazing blend of styles and technology, new and old. I can’t help but think of Bruce Gordon’s mind-blowing Titanium lugged projects, including the one with carbon tubes of course. Can you guys post some pics of Bruce’s green painted Ti lugged bike.
Also, maybe a post of the building of a Soulcraft video would be cool – that’s a great video from your back yard!
In regards to the folks around the globe: seems like there are other locales with an greater amount of local manufacturing and handmade goods. I suppose we have moved away from that here in the US and hopefully we’ll see a return to more domestic manufacturing and craft.
Best,
John Caletti – Caletti Cycles.
As for bicycles and people making their own shit, ITALY used to stand out though in recent years they’ve stupidly gone away from making their own…but it’s coming back. More and more autoclaves are being installed in Italy to bake up carbon frames and every issue of Bicisport has more advertising with “100% Made in Italy” featured. And it’s becoming more well-known that artisan builders here in Italy make quite a few bikes for the pros to race on, in the same way they used to make bikes for Merckx, Maertens and others. Thanks for taking a stand on making your own stuff, no matter where in the world you’re making it. It’s not about where it’s made but ALL about who and how it’s made.