Frame Builder Feature: Sam Whittingham

For over 25 years, Sam Whittingham has been quietly creating some of the most beautiful and enduring custom titanium bikes from his island workshop on Canada’s West Coast. We caught up with Sam to learn more about his journey, philosophy, and what makes a Naked Bicycle truly unique.

How long have you been building frames, and what inspired you to start?

I’ve been building frames for 25 years. I worked in bike shops and learned to weld, design, machine, and paint long before building my first frame. I spent years racing and fine-tuning bike fit and ride analysis across different disciplines. The first Naked frame was built in 1998 for a close friend—and that bike is still being ridden daily.

I spent many beautiful days riding my bike as a kid, and the joy has never left me. Racing found me at 15 and led to many accomplishments across road, mountain, recumbent, and track. I’ve done RAAM, triathlons, and extended touring.

I also worked for years as a bike mechanic in my late teens and early twenties, so I know my way around the back end of even the ugliest bike part. I was also a designer and painter for many of Canada’s top theatres, and I still tap into that dramatic creative energy with every build.

Can you briefly describe your frame-building process?

TIG-welded, custom-fit, custom-finished bikes—made one at a time with love, logic, and elbow grease. We do fittings in-house or on the trail whenever possible.

What materials do you primarily use for your frames?

Titanium only. We used to work with steel, aluminum, stainless, and even some carbon. But nothing beats titanium for a bike that’s built to last a lifetime.

Are there any unique or signature techniques you incorporate into your frames?

Flowing lines—especially from the top tube to seat stays on mountain bikes. These organic compound curves are difficult to execute properly and symmetrically, but they’ve become a signature of our design.

Are there any notable or memorable builds that stand out?

We once built a bike for NAHBS that won Best in Show, People’s Choice, and President’s Choice—and ended up being fought over by Lance Armstrong and Robin Williams.

That said, I don’t look back too much unless I’m asked. Each new bike is a distillation of everything that came before it.

What are some of the challenges you face as a frame builder?

Naked Bicycles is located on a small island off the west coast of Canada, and shipping logistics are by far the biggest challenge we face.

What are the most rewarding aspects of your work?

Knowing our bikes will head out into the world and be ridden for many years. Also, learning—from both our own experiments and from client feedback—what makes a bike truly sing.

Is there a specific frame design or model you’re especially proud of?

All of them. But especially the ones that create lifelong partnerships between the rider and the bike. We live in the heart of West Coast trail and gravel country—our bikes reflect the environment that bred them and the spirit of Naked Bicycles as a whole.

What are your goals or aspirations for the future of your brand?

Refine. Refine. Refine. Never stop learning. Never stop testing.

Are there any new technologies or trends in frame building that excite you?

3D printing—though not quite yet. The tech still needs refining. I’m also always looking for simple, clean ("naked") solutions that don’t require more tech.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your brand or your journey as a builder?

I don’t really define myself as a frame builder or even a bike builder. I aspire to build experiences—for and with our clients. The frame is simply the springboard and foundation for that potential.

To learn more about Sam Whittingham from Naked Bicycles, head to nakedbicycles.com and connect with Sam @NakedBicycles on Instagram.