Io̍k Lîn (Marc) Tsiu

HI, I’M Io̍k Lîn Sai-Hū("Master" in Taiwanese)　

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My name is Io̍k Lîn (Marc) Tsiu and I’m from Taipei, Taiwan.

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WHY DO I BUILD BIKES?​

 

Like most kids I grew up riding bikes. But that passion stayed with me throughout my life and I chose to turn my passion into my career. So in 2012 I opened the shop and io̍klîn frameworks was born.

Bikes to me are more than just a mode of transportation, they are a means to discovery. They offer freedom to see our surroundings from a different perspective and to discover the details of the world we so often ignore. And they engage our senses like no other vehicle can.

Bicycles are also machines, which are another passion of mine. Unlike many machines though, bicycles leave (almost) everything exposed. You can see how and why every part works and they are easily maintainable by yourself. I find a great satisfaction in maintaining and fine-tuning my bikes and feeling how the smallest adjustment can change the ride.

 

WHY CUSTOM?

 

A custom bicycle is unique to you and it is unique in the world. No two will be exactly the same. Though I learned this craft through building production bikes, I feel that building custom frames represents me and my views the best. It gives me the ability to talk directly with the user and to help him or her find their vision of what a bicycle is and what stories will be told through it.

 

WHY STEEL?

 

Steel is the most adaptable material for building bike frames. It can, and has been, described as everything from springy and lively to ultra-stiff and efficient. It has unique properties that allow it to be all of these things at once or only where you need it to be.

Steel frames have a long and rich history, part of which is based on their durability. Steel frames are often fixable in the event they get damaged. It’s quite common to see owners of steel frames riding the same bike for years if not decades.

 

WHY BRAZING?

 

Brazing gives me the flexibility to work both artistically and structurally. By using silver as my joining material I can build lugged frames that explore the possibilities of hand carving, or I can chose filleting for a more smooth, streamlined joint. Both techniques provide a structurally sound frame with vastly different looks. Additionally, silver flows at a lower temperature, thereby leaving the tubes stronger and easier to repair if necessary.
 

WHY TIG?​

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Technology always comes from demand. To tackle steep roads, some of our customers look to save weight wherever they can. Compared with brazing, TIG Welding provides up to a 250 gram weight savings for the frame. This option gives riders a powerful weapon to challenge the mountains. After welding the frame, we take the extra step of grinding the weld to a smooth finish. This step not only improves the appearance of the joint, but also improves durability by lessening the stresses generated during welding. I tested my bikes performance in Taiwan's beautiful mountains.