Jody Lee
JESTER Hand Built Bicycles

Using six body measurements, Jody is able to design and build custom frames that position the owner correctly, no matter what the event. In the JESTER custom design - in order to maintain the optimum knee position - the seat tube angle is determined by individual body measurements, (foot-length, crank-arm-length, tibia-length, and femur-length).

Other designers ignore the importance of maintaining the optimum knee position when they change seat-tube angle for different events; building for the event, not for the rider.

With a firm understanding of the role of the seat-tube angle, JESTER designs can then focus on other dimensions and angles that maximize event performance. A new level of COMFORT and STAMINA is achieved since the JESTER seat tube angle is determined by individual measurements.

In selecting frame tubing, rather than relying upon the time honoured tradition of marketing hype or the ethnocentric emotionalism of nationalistic pride, Jody prefers to make use of the science of metallurgy as a guide. Having researched and experimented with a variety of materials, Jody is currently recommending two types of micro-alloyed steel tubing (which are available from a number of manufacturers). All tubing used is high strength and is chosen because it retains its high strength after joining. With a knowledge of materials and their applications, an objective tubing recommendation can be made based upon the rider's physical needs, goals and budget.

Every JESTER frame is silver brazed. You can choose between the traditional look of lugs (including polished stainless steel Henry James lugs) or the avant garde look of lugless-fillet-brazed. JESTER's construction techniques, tolerances and material choices ensure the greatest possible joint strength available of ANY metal joining method.

Each and every joint on a JESTER frame is designed and crafted (by Jody) to produce the greatest possible amount of strength and rigidity, while eliminating the possibility of stress risers. Such joinery can only be achieved by hand work and is not possible with production building techniques.

*For example: The down tube and seat tube are each mitred to one another (double mitred), giving nearly twice the strength and rigidity of the more commonly used single mitre method. Furthermore, on a JESTER, all of the tubes go through the bottom bracket to the inside face of the shell in both lugged AND lugless designs. With lugless frames, piercing the shell provides up to SIX times greater joint strength than the more commonly used method of mitring to the outside of the shell.

In the construction of high quality bicycles, fine craftsmanship and the best of materials are of course, a given, however these taken alone are not enough. No matter what type of bicycle, what matters most is how it RIDES! Each individual rider, male or female, has different body proportions and each has differing cycling goals and needs. So how can YOU expect an off-the-shelf bike that was designed for the masses, to work for an individual like YOU?

A great riding bicycle is a result of designing for both fit and function, use of optimal materials, and constructing with craftsmanship, care and pride. This is why each JESTER frame is custom built for the individual owner.

"It is sincerely hoped that each JESTER owner enjoys their bicycle as much as I enjoyed building it and that they have as much pride with owning it as the pride I have in building it." - Jody Thomas Lee