Dr Angel García Forcada is a regular on the RCUK forum and keen advocate of hand-built wheels and steel frames. Early in 2009 he decided to invest some money in the latter, eventually deciding to commision fabled British builder Cliff Shrubb, now retired but still willing to be persuaded by the right applicant, to build a frame in Reynolds 953 steel. Here are some pictures of the frame prior to painting and the story of how he came to his purchasing decision:

“I wanted to try the new stainless steel Reynolds 953 tubeset built by a European frame builder, and checked the English craftsmen as Frenchies do not speak English and I do not speak French, and Italian frame builders (“maestri telaisti”) usually use Columbus XCR.

I took advantge of a trip to London to meet Mr. Hallett and he gave me a few names of English builders. I also got in touch with Neil Hassan, editor of www.frameforum.net, who was also very helpful. I am sure any of the builders they mentioned would have built a wonderful frame, but I became interested in somebody almost unknown these days, who does not have a web page and does not use computers: Cliff Shrubb, currently over 70 and who does build a frame now and then.

I checked the web and came across some very promising reports of his frames; next came to try to find him and get his phone number. First time I got in touch with him, he thought I was trying to sell him something by phone. I quickly let him know that it was the other way round: it was me who wanted to buy something from him, or better from his skills. I explained him what I wanted and why I had thought of him.

He was very kind and we agreed upon him designing a frame for me using my current frames and his own experience. He sent me some pics – in paper and by surface mail – of some of his frames, which were works of art. Then I visited him in August ’09 and tried one of his frames, which I liked a lot. I thoroughly enjoyed the day: we rode together for about an hour, then had lunch and Cliff made some witty remarks that I will not forget. When I asked what he thought of TIG welding, he said; “Mmm, it’s good for battleships.”

Next, he took me for lunch at a shopping mall – these he named “The new churches” – and I was convinced that I had found the right man to build my new lugged Reynolds 953 frame. I am building it with triple chainset, hand built wheels and mostly Campagnolo parts and I am looking forward to trying it.

I promise to report about my impressions. Moreover, I think the price is quite reasonable and I am sure I will be proud of having a frame custom built for me by somebody who is part of English frame building history. A pity that history is not much appreciated these days.”

Cliff Shrubb can be contacted on +44 (0) 20 8669 6601 and the best time to get him is on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday evenings.