About

— Welcome —

We support current and aspiring bicycle framebuilders through resources, supplies, & education.

Portland | Oregon.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Firsthand Framebuilding provides education, resources, and supplies for the custom bicycle community. Firsthand is proud to be the U.S. dealer of Reynolds® steel and titanium tubing, and the official home of Paragon® framebuilding components. In addition, our unique framebuilding classes are set to begin in November of 2026, offering a wide variety of educational opportunities for new and existing builders.

For the latest in Firsthand news, visit our blog.

—Team, team, team—

Who We Are

B Vivit

(She/They) | Community Coordinator

After beginning her career in a bike shop and taking welding class at the local community college, B taught at United Bicycle Institute where she met Chris. Since then, B has worked on both coasts, holding full-time welding jobs for a few different custom bicycle brands. Also-known-as HotSalad Bicycles, B is passionate about bringing framebuilding full-circle—helping the next set of hands mold the metal of tomorrow. When B isn't working, she's working. And when she isn't doing that, she's outside playing with her pup and partner, chasing sunshine.
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b@firsthand.bike

Tom La Marche

(He/Him) | Shop Manager

Tom has been operating La Marche Bike Co. since 2020, after many years of riding, designing, and building bikes for other brands. Originally from the east coast, Tom has recently relocated to Portland, bringing his eye for simple design and practical fabrication skills to the Pacific Northwest. When he’s not designing parts, welding frames, or making tools, Tom is out exploring the endless trails, campsites, and dive bars of his new home state.
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info@lamarchebikeco.com

Sarah Williams

(She/Her) | Operations Manager

A lifelong resident of the Pacific Northwest, Sarah lends her unique, operational skillset to Firsthand. She has over 20 years of managerial experience, and leads Firsthand's business development and project management efforts.

When she's not checking off to-do's, Sarah can be found traveling the world with friends and spending time with her family.
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sarah@firsthand.bike

Chris Blandford

(He/Him) | Owner & Floor Sweeper

After several years spent building custom bikes, Chris has founded Firsthand to support the global framebuilding community. Chris’s vision for Firsthand extends beyond tubing and supplies; his goals also include improved education, inclusiveness, and transparency within the craft. Chris’s ultimate intention is to foster and grow a traditional craft which means so much to him and his peers.

When he's not sorting tubes or testing new brazing supplies, Chris can be found chasing his wife and daughter around the ski slopes on Oregon's Mt. Hood.
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chris@firsthand.bike

—Our Brands—

Only The Best

The best bicycles deserve to be made with the finest materials. And the finest materials deserve the highest quality tools. Firsthand Framebuilding is committed to offering only best-in-class materials and supplies from quality-driven manufacturers.