My objective is to construct high quality frames and products with rational engineering coupled with pleasing aesthetics.

My desire is to build you a bicycle you will cherish.

To ensure true value is built into the bicycle.

To maintain genuine frame building craftsmanship.

Steel tubing is the only way to fulfill all of these requirements.

During my 25 years of being involved with high quality bicycles I see that manufacturers and frame constructors compromise their products and invent ideas to create fashion trends in the market. It has become more the design department than the engineering department that is driving change. “What funky ideas are we going to do for this coming year’s model” is the approach. Most of these real benefits cannot be quantified and market hype is the drive. This is to keep sales buoyant in a crowded market where every one is locked in mortal financial combat to survive. So they are driven solely by economic reasons and many times the product is not of any real benefit to the cyclist. It is interesting to see ideas resurface 10 or 20 more years later that died or didn't catch on to consumers originally. Also often over looked is the real reason behind a quality bicycle, that is proper fit and position and a well designed bike to fit under the rider’s position. Constructed with the best practices and materials. That is what makes a superb riding and durable bicycle.

An individually custom designed and built bicycle does not suffer the pitfalls of design considerations to make bikes that attempt to fit tri athletes, road racers and recreational riders all in the one package bicycle. Also thrown into this package is that human body is built in an infinite range of size and limb proportions, so how can an off the shelf product start off to be a quality product for the customer?

I build true value into the bike by using long lasting and proven products and design approaches. I build bicycles the way I feel they should be built. No short cuts, no TIG welding for speed, no compromises. I insert more steps and time into a frame because that is the way I want to build the frame. So traditional techniques are coupled with the best of today’s materials on offer.

Modern materials can be coupled with proven and time honoured best practices.

Using a computer to do Computer Aided Design drawings and files has certainly many advantages. Sending drawings of positions and designs to customers by email around the world etc. Easy updating and management of files, however using a computer and a CAD program do not make a better bicycle frame than using a traditional drafting machine and pencil (I do use both). It is the skill of the constructor and their ambition is what makes a fine riding frame. It is my wish to involve the customer in the process of their frame’s creation so I send digital photos to the customer of their own frame as it is being contructed.

Many new materials are so impractical to use. Some times there is only a perceived performance gain and if some rational thought is applied, it reveals it to be a nonsense. Durability is not considered to be of much priority by many, however for me it is very important. I put much time, care and hence value into a Llewellyn frame and so I believe it must be durable and give the rider many kilometres of good service. I don't have to be the first on new ideas to obtain a foothold on a new market, rather I like to wait and see if a new development has worth and integrity. This approach avoids the pitfalls that many manufacturers fall into and customers suffer these pitfalls. Rather than jumping on a new product such as building frames with a newly released tube set, then finding/suffering the problems that arise often from an over zealous market release, I feel the wait and see and be proven it is reliable and offers real benefits approach is the best way for the builder and most importantly for the customer.

Darrell Llewellyn McCulloch