Midwestern Builders: Humble Frameworks

Part two of our Midwestern builders highlight focus’ on Chicago’s own Humble Frameworks. With NAHBS coming wanted a few regional bike builders to share their goods and give everyone a taste for what makes them tick. I asked each builder to give me their elevator pitch for why you, the super fan, the potential customer, should be excited about getting a cross bike from them. I give you Humble Frameworks

Pic: Humble Frameworks

“My name’s Michael Catano and I build under the Humble Frameworks name out of a workshop on Chicago’s south side.

For the past few years I’ve been quietly working with loved ones, close friends and teammates to develop my skills as a designer and fabricator of cyclocross frames. Rather than trying to be a builder who does everything, I’ve chosen to focus on one small thing with the hope of someday doing it very well. As such, every Humble that leaves my shop is a further step toward refining my own particular idea of what a ‘cross bike can be and establishing the vocabulary as a builder that defines who I am and what I do.

The frames I make are simple and functional (never fussy or overworked) and combine traditional techniques with modern materials. I strive to make them clean, elegant, and single-minded in purpose. They are made-to-measure. They are made by hand. They are made for racing.

As cyclocross continues to grow in Chicago, I hope that Humble Frameworks will grow in kind. Thank you.” – Michael Catano