thelarksparrow

Most recent activity

• Isen workshop: adventures in batch production (or not...)

  in Frame Builders • 1 year

  

  So my story ends.

  Santiago and his team at Scarab were truly excellent to work with. Highly professional, very communicative. Incredible product especially at that price point.

• ISEN WORKSHOP contact

  in Frame Builders • 1 year, 3 months

  

  Unfortunately, not on my end. Glad to hear that @AshMistry has found their frame.

• ISEN WORKSHOP contact

  in Frame Builders • 1 year, 5 months

  

  Thanks @AshMistry and everyone else offering advice.

• ISEN WORKSHOP contact

  in Frame Builders • 1 year, 5 months

  

  I received an email in February confirming all my details and saying they were starting on my frame that week.

  I wonder if my frame is just sitting there

• Isen workshop: adventures in batch production (or not...)

  in Frame Builders • 1 year, 5 months

  

  Not yet. If I am interested in a seven I will definitely hit up Cascade. I love Paul's work (I used to live in the bay area) too.

• Isen workshop: adventures in batch production (or not...)

  in Frame Builders • 1 year, 5 months

  

  I met with Rodriguez in Seattle. Great people, I have faith in them, but I need to sit on it a while, maybe a long while, longer.

  My fitter did recommend Seven, I'll have a second look. I also like the idea of a Scarab.

  My sort of peculiar thing is I was looking for a 650b road bike as a smaller rider, which Isen had some specialty in. After staring at the geo charts Caren sent me I can get actually kind of close with a Canyon, which spec that wheel size on their smaller bikes. So as much as I loathe the idea of getting a Canyon with their awkward 1 1/4" steerer tubes, I'll think I'll get one, see if I like Di2, see if I like the smaller wheels and have a better idea in a year or two of where I want to go.

• Isen workshop: adventures in batch production (or not...)

  in Frame Builders • 1 year, 5 months

  

  All I'll say is it seems near impossible to make any sort of money as a uk framebuilder, the economics just don't seem to add up unless you start with a trust fund, family providing workshop space, etc, etc.

  I read a survey of framebuilders asking about their finances and I am starting to suspect that this is the case. Perhaps Matt and Caren had problems unique to the way they ran the shop that caused them to go under but it probably is more fragile than I imagine.

  I did put down 50% of my frame's price, but that does mean there was 50% in it for them if they finished building it. Even if this was financially costly to me (and I'll be OK, it stings but in the end this was a luxury purchase and I budgeted for it) I can't imagine this situation is profitable at all to the folks at Isen. I definitely feel hurt by the lack of communication and not getting my dream frame but it's also hard to not feel for them as well.

  I guess in the end I learned an expensive but important lesson about counter-party risk. Or made a sizable donation to a few people unfortunate to be living in the UK economy right now. In any case, I don't see any point in dwelling on it or getting angry. I met with a framebuilder where I live in the US and, apart from being a little burnt out on the custom thing, they just didn't speak to me the same way Isen did and I'm not sure anything will.

  I'll probably order a Canyon.

• Isen workshop: adventures in batch production (or not...)

  in Frame Builders • 1 year, 5 months

  

  haha no harm, thanks.

• Isen workshop: adventures in batch production (or not...)

  in Frame Builders • 1 year, 5 months

  

  8) If you look back through this thread, you'll find that I didn't call them out in public, but tried to resolve everything privately.

  I wish you had. It would've saved me a lot of money and a lot of headache.

• Isen workshop: adventures in batch production (or not...)

  in Frame Builders • 1 year, 5 months

  

  Well, it's official. Got this email:

  We hope this letter finds you well. It is with deep sadness that we
  must inform you of some unfortunate news regarding Isen Workshop. Due
  to unforeseen personal circumstances and insurmountable financial
  difficulties caused by the current economic climate, we have been
  forced to cease trading and subsequently declare insolvency. We
  understand the impact this will have on you as a valued customer, and
  it is with a heavy heart that we must inform you that we will not be
  able to provide a refund for the money you have so far paid, or build
  the frame you have ordered.

  We want to assure you that this decision was not made lightly, and we
  have personally exhausted all possible options to try to sustain the
  business. Unfortunately, the combined challenges we faced were
  insurmountable, and despite our best efforts, we were unable to secure
  the necessary funds to continue our operations and meet our financial
  obligations.

  Please accept our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience or
  disappointment this may cause you. We understand that you have placed
  your trust in our company and we deeply regret that we are unable to
  fulfil our commitment to you.

  We understand that you may have questions or concerns regarding this
  matter, and we are in the process of appointing an official receiver
  through the insolvency service, who may be able to advise further what
  this means for you and your order.

  Once again, we deeply apologise for any distress caused by this
  situation. We tried everything we could to get your frame built, but
  it was sadly impossible.