Category Archives: Uncategorized

Longtail Cargo Bike paint

Finally got round to choosing the paint scheme for the longtail cargo bike. After some thought I decided to keep the original paint on the front. It had some memorable scars from our previous life together but wasn’t too bad overall. Once finished, it also allowed me to get a few miles on it. I was originally going to run a hub gear setup, which still may happen but the shifter I had wouldn’t work so started off with a derailleur setup. It would benefit from an extra chain tensioner in this form so that may happen if it stays like this for long.

Bike packing bags

I was planning a big trip for this year and as well as making the bike I fancied a go at making some bags for the trip. I’d never done anything like that before so got hold of a sewing machine and a very welcome bit of help from a friend for how to use it. These are the first attempts. Some cordura, wax-cotton and a bit of recycled climbing gear. Testing so far has gone well. Looking forward to doing more.

Tall bike packing

The third part of our tall bike quest was to give them a proper bike packing trial. The frame size makes packing them relatively easy and seems to leave the handling pretty much unaffected. They also make surprisingly good touring bikes with plenty of stability and provide fantastic views over hedges.

Tall bike test ride

After finishing the build and paint of Cass’ tallbike we arranged a meet in Bristol for the build and test ride. We lucked out with the weather and had a great time cruising the town. To fully appreciate a tallbike you really have to ride one. The number of conversations you have and smiles you see never cease to amaze me. Good times.

Cass’ On-One tallbike

After meeting Cass Gilbert at the Bespoked show last year we agreed to make him a tall bike after he’d had taken some photos and had a quick test ride of mine. He had an On-One Inbred 29er that he had a strong bond with but wasn’t being used any more so it seemed like the perfect candidate. We spent a very enjoyable weekend massaging it into something a little taller. He looked a bit less worried as things started going back together!

Red Hook Crit Milano

Earlier in the year we started a fixed gear crit race team to help a couple of guys go racing with the ultimate aim to get to the Red Hook Crit in Milan in October. It’s been a bit of a journey but the guys have done really well in the Thundercrit, Nocturne and Minet crit races. It’s been a joy to help them through the races so far and we’ve just got an entry into the Red Hook crit race in Milan. Looks like a cool skunk works roadtrip to Italy coming up.

Classic roadster build

I wanted to build an classic style roadster with porteur style bars so when my son said that’s the sort of thing he wanted it was perfect. So this is his 21st birthday present which makes me feel nearly as old as the style of the bike! Having given it the obligatory test ride it rides really nice. Love the comfort of the bars. Columbus tubing, Alfine 8 hub gear, disc brakes to bring it up to date and British road proof Schwalbe tyres. Hopefully it will get plenty of use around York. 

2 out of 3 ain’t bad

Inaugural bamboo bike ride was great fun and turned a few heads at the local cafe. Unfortunately we were one down due to late delivery of some wheels but the other two faired well. Interesting the amount of attention the unfinished ‘lugs’ got. It really did look like it was just tied up with string – cool!

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Brass singlespeed nuts

It seems that most of the nuts on single speed wheels look ok when new but cut up, rust and look pretty dreadful after w while. As part of a steam punk bike build we were looking to add various amounts of brass components and knocked up these brass wheel nuts and bottle cage bolts. They look soooo much better than the standard steel ones!

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Clear lacquer Single Speed

Finally built up with S2C hub, so not a single speed at all really. Suitably steam punk in clear lacquer over the blasted steel. Coaster brake so minimum of braze ons or cables. Just waiting for the snow to melt to give it a try. Can’t wait to try the bars out too. They feel really comfortable when stationary. Very natural hand/wrist position. Let’s see how they work.

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