CCA is pleased to announce the fourth summer of our Urban Mobility Program on the San Francisco campus.

Since the first section of our summer 2013 frame-building course is now full, we have opened a new sectopm.

Enrollment is limited to 8 students in each class.

First Session (FULL)

Urban Mobility 1: The Frame, Traditional Techniques
Instructor: Rafi Ajl
SF / INDUS–232 / 16 sessions / 3 units
Prerequisite: none, although prior experience in a shop, with hand tools, and/or metal working is helpful. All levels are welcome
June 2-July 11 (no class 7/4)
Tues./Thurs., 6-10 p.m. & Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuition: $4,806 for a letter grade or $3,250 for pass/fail; $50 nonrefundable summer registration fee
Materials fee payable at registration: $100

Second Session

Urban Mobility 1: The Frame, Traditional Techniques
Instructor: Matthew Feeney
SF / INDUS–232 / 16 sessions / 3 units
Prerequisite: none, although prior experience in a shop, with hand tools, and/or metal working is helpful. All levels are welcome
July 10-August 17
Mon./Wed., 6-10 p.m. & Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuition: $4,806 for a letter grade or $3,250 for pass/fail; $50 nonrefundable summer registration fee
Materials fee payable at registration: $100

In this studio students explore the design of the bicycle and use oxy-acetylene brazing techniques to create bicycle frames of their own design. Traditional frame geometry is explained, and participants create their own personalized designs.

Students learn brass fillet and silver brazing -- traditional methods of bicycle frame construction -- as well as hand tool and machine tool techniques to cut and prepare the bicycle frame tubes for joining.

Frame-building tools and techniques such as jigs, fixtures, measurement, alignment, and finishing are also covered. Dedicated students have the opportunity to construct a complete bicycle frame, without a fork, within the time frame of the class.

A week between the end of the class and the final presentation allows students time to have their frames painted or finished for the final presentation.

The course has workshop access during class and on select weekends. Students will need to purchase their own frame building materials, approximately $150.

This course satisfies an Industrial Design Investigative studio or studio elective.

Rafi Ajl is a full-time frame builder who operates a shop and business, Raphael Cycles, in the San Francisco Mission District. He builds custom steel fillet-brazed and lugged bicycles of all types.

Rafi is primarily a self-taught builder, with the guidance of a local frame-builder and classes in steel joinery and machine shop practices.

Having worked as a professional lead mechanic at a bicycle shop, and having taught bicycle repair and maintenance at San Francisco's Bike Kitchen for many years (not to mention a whole bunch of riding), Rafi took it upon himself to take his love affair with bicycles and craft to the final level.

Prior to starting Raphael Cycles, Rafi pursued some graduate coursework at Harvard's Graduate School of Design. Rafi taught a spring 2013 course in CCA's Industrial Design Program -- Urban Mobility: Utility and Movement.

Matthew Feeney began building bicycles in his basement in 1992 with a friend, motivated by a desire to create something totally unique and functional. After creating a wooden jig, they built over sixty frames together.

In 2003, Matt began making frames under his own name, M. Feeney, before returning to school. While taking classes, he longed for a way to move the load of books off his back and Pass & Stow Racks was born. What started out as a small side project is now a sought-after component that allows an ordinary bicycle to become a versatile load-carrying machine.

For Matt, frame-building is currently a personal endeavor and he loves the process more than ever. He has the opportunity to refine and design bicycles around his racks and gets a sense of personal satisfaction from riding something totally hand made. Some of Matt's racks may be viewed at Pass & Stow

Refund Policy »

Watch a video of previous CCA Urban Mobility courses »

To register, please call the Office of Special Programs at 510.594.3710.

For more information
Office of Special Programs
Oakland campus, Ralls 201

Nina Sadek
Dean of Special Programs
510.594.3773
nsadek@cca.edu

Carol Pitts
Assistant to the Dean of Special Programs
510.594.3732
cpitts@cca.edu