Ande, known as The Vandal Metal Works, is a Scottish frame builder who passionately and skillfully transforms old bicycle frames, giving them a second life. In many ways, his work echoes my philosophy with Kole and Save The Rat Bike: a celebration of creativity, sustainability, and rebirth. In this interview, we will explore his personal journey, inspirations, and vision for the future, while also delving into the themes of sustainability and the value of 26-inch MTBs, which are a cornerstone of my vision for Kole.
Ande, thank you for being here with us. Let’s start from the beginning: how old are you, and where are you from?
Hi, thanks for having me! I’m 42 and call Glasgow home these days though originally I’m from the Outer Hebrides
How did your passion for bicycles begin? Is there a particular memory that made you fall in love with this world?
I think it was when my dad bought an old racer from the police auction for me and we did it up together. We stripped it right down, painted the frame and then rebuilt it all. I think doing that gave me real confidence with the spanners!
When did you decide to embark on this adventure with The Vandal Metal Works? Was it a specific moment or a natural evolution?
It was a bit of a natural evolution. I have worked in bike shops for most of my working life and about 10 years ago I started wanting to take things beyond what you can do with spanners and a hacksaw. I bought a plumbing torch and started doing braze-ons and additions like that alongside some jewellery making and that was fine for a while. I considered doing a framebuilding course but it was going to be so costly, financially and in terms of time, to make a single frame so instead I bought a torch and some cheap tubes and pretty much taught myself to build.
"I think cycling is inalienably linked to the environment. Anything you can do to save bikes and frames from going to landfill feels really positive."
Is there someone who has inspired you, and who inspires you today?
So many! I think I got my proper torch around the time of the first Hack Bike Derby and I really loved all those bikes from Ted James, BTR, that Donhou with the banana seat! I think my aesthetic owes a lot to those bikes and builders! More recently, I’d say Cjell Mone, Brainfart, Drust and Eerder Metaal and the punky diy paintjobs that Squid are doing have been really influential on me.
Which bicycle do you consider the most important in your career, and why?
I don’t know really. The third frame I built maybe sticks out slightly as one that has been through a lot with me. I originally built it as a skinny tyred road fixed and have chopped and changed it so many times! I think it’s on it’s second set of chainstays and third set of seastays now, gaining more tyre clearance with every round of mods and I actually just changed up the build on it yet again this morning to turn it into a fun little skidder.
Could you tell us about your latest creation, the 1986 Rockhopper? Share its story and what it represents to you.
Yeah! With this one I wanted to build something that really got back to basics, and the kind of bikes I was riding when I was a bit younger. One gear, rim brakes, not much else! I’ve modded a few Rockhoppers over the years for other people and always thought I should get one for myself so this one showed up at just the right time. It’s been a wee while since I had such a low tech bike though so I’m hoping I’m still up to the job of riding it!
As you know, I firmly believe that 26-inch MTBs continue to be an uncompromising choice for commuting and touring. What is your perspective on this topic, which is very close to my heart?
I think that 26-inch MTB is such an enduring genre of bike that no matter what you want to do with it, there’s probably a 26-inch MTB out there for you! Of course I’d advocate chopping and modding it up to suit yourself and again, the prevalence of the genre helps. You can pick up a forgotten about old 26er for pennies and with a couple personal little customisations you’ll have something that’s utterly individual and perfectly tailored to your needs.
Your work embodies a strong message of sustainability. How important is this aspect to you?
Absolutely. I think cycling is inalienably linked to the environment. Beyond the obvious benefits of cycling, it gets you out there experiencing the world at ground level, transitioning through environments, sharing spaces with vehicles, really seeing the impact of things like fly tipping and I think it just makes you much more aware of your role in that kind of thing. At that point, anything you can do to save bikes and frames from going to landfill and to offer an alternative to buying a brand new product feels really positive.
What are your favorite trails near your home, and why?
I really like Whitelee windfarm. There’s miles and miles of gravel and once you get beyond hubbub around the visitor centre you barely ever see another person. It’s real easy to forget you are so close to the city (and it’s all downhill to get home)!
Looking to the future, what are your projects and hopes for Vandal Metal Works?
I think my next project will be to make my wife another bike, a junkyard singlespeed road bike which I’m intending to make entirely from bits of other frames. Longer term, I just want to keep being an inspiration to other people to start their own journey into frame building and modifying!
Ande, your work is a testament to how a frame builder can also be a poet, using metal to tell stories of rebirth and transformation. Every frame you touch becomes a new chapter, a line drawn with precision and passion. In a world that often rushes toward the new, forgetting the value of the past, you remind us that every crack, every spot of rust, has a story to tell.
I hope one day we can ride together, whether in Toronto or somewhere else in the world, and continue to share our passion for cycling and its limitless possibilities.
