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FEATURES: TECH INTERVIEW: 333 FABRICATION
Philip Booth
November 20, 2009
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Road Bike Action was first introduced to Max and Bernard of 333 Fabrication in early 2008 by Steve Hampsten of Hampsten Cycles, who at the time was letting the duo use his Seattle, Washington, shop to build their frames. Since then 333 Fabrication as become a fixture in the Northwest cyclocross scene and their frames have gained national exposure. We recently again crossed paths with Max and Bernard at the Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show where they were showing off a stainless steel, single speed cross bike.
 Max (L) and Bernard (R) of 333fab
Road Bike Action: What is the history of everyone involved with 333fab
Bernard: I was a bike messenger and wrenched at a few Boston shops for eight or so years. I got a bike building education at Seven Cycles from 1997to 2003. From there I worked at a few bike shops in Southern California until I moved to the Northwest, were I work as a metal fabricator for a Seattle furniture maker and moonlight at 333fab.
Max: Arts background in painting and metal sculpture. Metal sculpture combined with longtime love of bikes led me to work at Merlin from 1994 to 1997 as finisher, shipper and welder and then at Seven from 1997 to 2005 as a welder, machinist and frame repairer as well as some prototyping a couple frame designs.
What lead the two of you to start 333fab?
Bernard: the love of bike racing and our meeting again in Seattle last year. Max had built a few bikes under his brand Bird. We talked about collaborating on something for the hand built show and 333fab was born
Max: After building a couple of "Bird" bicycles on my own I was in touch with Bernard who was in LA at the time and about to move to Seattle in the summer of 2007. We knew each other from our days at Seven Cycles in Boston. We liked the idea of making bikes together so we started 333fab in early 2008 and debuted at the NAHBS that February.
RBA: What has starting and owning 333fab taught each one of you?
Max: It taught us that know a lot more about building bikes than building a business. We have learned so much about what it takes to get a business started and actualized. There are so many "little things" to keep track of and stay on top of that have nothing to do with actually building a frame. We have great friends that have helped us and continue to keep us moving forward. Without the help of our friends we would be nowhere.
RBA: Are there any particular frame makers that inspired you guys?
Max: Seven, Pegoretti, BMC, Moots, Strong, Speedvagen.
RBA: What makes a 333fab frame different from anything else on the market?
Bernard: Our focus is on making high performance, TIG welded, frames with no compromises. On every frame we work on maximizing the quality of the frame specifically for the person for whom it is intended. Tubing choices such as shape, size, and wall thickness are chosen carefully. We also take into consideration frame size, geometry, components and intended use. We do not charge extra for a "lightweight" or "SL" frameset as many builders do; instead, we build every frame with weight and performance in mind. We also embrace using carbon fiber frame components when appropriate
RBA: If you had only one material to build a frame from, what would it be why?
Bernard: Although most of our frame building experience is in Ti we are very inspired by the many tubing choices available in steel. Our specialty is in thin walled steel tubesets that make for beautiful and great performing bikes. Some of the "new" chromoly tubesets available from the manufacturers yield amazingly responsive, lightweight and durable frames.
RBA: What types of bikes does 333fab specialize in?
Max: We specialize in road and cyclocross frames. Our years of competition in these disciplines inspire us in what we make.
RBA: What does the future hold for 333fab?
Max: We want to creatively evolve and keeping current with new developments in technology. We would also like to be involved in our community through teaching, mentoring and fostering bicycle culture.
For more information on 333fab visit www.333fab.com
A look at 333 Fabrication's single speed cross bike from the Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show:
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