A Heart of Metal chat with Iok Lin Tsiu, founder of Iok Lin Frameworks.
Hi Iok Lin, it’s great to have the chance to chat with you. Could you introduce yourself and in a few words talk about how Ioklin began?
Io̍klîn is a one person workshop dedicated to creating custom metal bike frames. My Taiwanese name is Io̍k-Lîn, presented in Taiwanese romanization. The inception of Io̍klîn is a love story. Before becoming a frame builder, I was a collector of steel bike frames. In 2012, to enable my petite girlfriend to join me on a cycling tour around Taiwan, I left my job in the tech industry after more than ten years to learn how to weld frames in a factory. My goal was to build her a bike that would suit her, allowing us to achieve our dream of cycling around Taiwan together. After completing a 12-day journey, I decided to open my own custom bike frame workshop, marking the official launch of Io̍klîn frameworks.
When did you start using Columbus tubing? And why?
I started using Columbus tubing from my very first frame. From my past experience as a collector of vintage bikes, I learned that Columbus is the most reliable tubing supplier. Over the past century, Columbus have continually improved their tube forming technology and new material formulations, breaking the old stereotype of metal frames being heavy and hard to maintain.
What are the most noticeable differences when working with the tubing? From a riding point of view are there any noticeable differences?
Compared to standard 4130 tubing, Columbus tubing offers better strength and lighter weight. There are also many tube shapes designed for specific needs, giving me more flexibility and space in frame design. Frames made with Columbus tubing are more stable and solid while still maintaining a lively pedalling response. Even when using larger diameter tubing for specific requirements, the frame doesn’t feel heavy.
How would you define in three words Columbus tubing?
Innovative, reliable, trustworthy.
Which frame would you like to share with us today?
I would like to share the io̍klîn 10th Anniversary Limited Edition Gravel bike.
How is this frame special in comparison to your normal production?
This bike is a limited edition model celebrating io̍klîn’s 10th anniversary. It features a relatively rare, full internal cable routing design for a gravel bike, supporting a maximum tire width of 700X50C. The paint scheme uses desert yellow and marsh green as the base colours, complemented by an anniversary totem. The green cross in the totem represents the Chinese character “十” (ten) and the mountains, while the black lines partially represent contour lines and also symbolise my fingerprints left on each frame.
Which Columbus tubes have you used for this frame?
The frame uses the following tubing:
Columbus Spirit HSS 46mm head tube – smooth internal cabling
Columbus Spirit HSS 31.7/28.6mm top tube – better torsion control when accelerating
Columbus Spirit 38mm downtube – clean aesthetics
Columbus Spirit 28.6mm seat tube – 27.2 seat post for greater comfort
ZONA 16mm S-bend seat stays and Life Gravel Disc bend chainstays – better impact resistance and to help absorb vibrations – dissipate vibrations
Why did you choose these tubes, this kind of steel, those diameters, reinforcements etc.?
Gravel bikes can be fast too. To ensure that this bike offers an enjoyable ride on paved roads, I deliberately selected lightweight Spirit tubing for the front triangle. The 46mm head tube facilitates smoother internal routing, while the 31.7/28.6mm shaped top tube provides better torsion control during acceleration. The 38mm downtube pairs well with the 46mm head tube for better overall frame aesthetics, achieving a balance between strength and weight. The 28.6mm seat tube performs optimally with a 27.2mm seat post. For the rear triangle, the ZONA seat stays offer better impact resistance, and the S-bend design helps absorb vibrations from the road, enhancing comfort. The Life Disc chain stays improve the integrity of the flat mount disc brake and allow for wider tyre clearance.
Is it the first time you have used this exact tube specification?
No, this tubing configuration is based on my long-term riding experience. This combination has become a common choice in my gravel bike builds over the past few years.
Could you explain the manufacturing process step by step?
To create a great bike frame, the most important step is communication with the customer. I need to understand their needs, riding environment, habits, and even health conditions. Based on the customer’s body dimensions and these factors, I design a custom frame. Once the design is complete, I move on to the material preparation phase, cutting each tube to precise lengths and angles based on careful calculations and smoothing the edges with a file for a precise fit. I also fabricate small components, such as water bottle cage mounts, welding them using low-temperature silver solder to ensure that the strength and straightness of the tubing are not compromised.
Next comes the overall welding of the frame. I allow customers to choose between fillet brazing or TIG welding, as each method gives the frame a different style and character. After completing the fillet brazing, I meticulously grind the welds to create a smooth, elegant curve at the joints. The signature seat post clamp of io̍klîn is handmade, tailored to the customer’s requirements and tire width, calculated for the appropriate length, and machined on a lathe to connect the seat tube and rear stays, finished with a crown shape at the top of the seat tube. At this point, the welding of the frame is considered complete.
Once the frame is finished, it first receives an anti-rust primer coating, followed by a design for the paint based on the customer’s story or theme. Since I don’t allow for identical paint jobs, each io̍klîn frame is unique. Finally, I place the distinctive “stamp” of io̍klîn on the seat post clamp. At this moment, the io̍klîn frame can be perfectly presented to everyone.
Who is the client of this bike?
The owner of this bike is a bicycle collector who has a collection of handmade frames from various brands, including three io̍klîn bikes. He is one of my most loyal customers.
