Steve Makin continues his report from the inaugural Bespoked Bristol custom built bike show. If you missed part one, take a look here…
Hammoon Bikes
The Lark 45 is a 4X, built and ridden by Will Norgan in the Mega Avalanche in 2010, made from T45 chromolly tubing and featuring Hammoons own design disc brake tab and BB30 bottom bracket, its a fine example of the sort of frame Will builds for his customers, however Will is not exclusively about mountain bikes, he will build whatever the customer wants, adding his opinions and design touches as required to help give the customer a frame to be proud of.
For example; Will has a friend whose build requires something smaller than the norm. She wanted a road bike for commuting and pleasure rides – that was the brief that Will got and he came up with this lovely 650C wheeled road bike.
Enigma
First thing was to see if it was possible to make a 29er for a non 6 footer. Using Columbus Life tubing he chose the angles and tube sizes specifically to give a comfortable ride with the ability to handle a more aggressive approach should the need arise, a Fox 100mm fork was shortened to give 80mm of travel to help keep the front end down.
Burls
Justin Burls is unashamedly a roadie and triathlete and more than happy to admit that mountain biking is not his thing. However, and despite this shocking admission, Justin has turned out one of the nicest titanium hardtails I’ve ever seen, and yes it’s fully blinged out, yes it’s incredibly light and no, it’s not hand made in the UK.
That said, it is designed in the UK (the ethos of the show is hand made in the UK but Phil and Tessa Taylor take a pragmatic view towards the show’s title) by Justin and his friend Andy (whose personal bike this is) and fabricated in Russia.
Delta 7 Arantix
Okay, this one isn’t a UK made frame either, but this handmade American frame uses a carbon fibre and Kevlar ‘IsoTruss’ lattice to create a frame that the makers say is incredibly stiff and resistant to damage. A medium frame weighs a claimed 2.6lbs and comes with no rider weight limitation and a lifetime warranty. With only 200 frames made per year it is guaranteed to be a very exclusive ride – and at £3,895 for the frame you’re unlikely to see one down at the trail centre carpark any time soon. They’re being brought into the UK by Dorset based Synergy Action.
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Comments (10)
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Like: Hammoon drop outs. More bike parts should look like faces.
Like: That Delta thing may be ridiculous but at least its got internal cable routing.
The Arantix left me cold I’m afraid. But that Enigma is really lovely up close – a lot of love went into it. Lucky woman.
Yes it does Buzz. But is Matthew’s girlfriend going to rub her foot on the front wheel?
The detailing on that 29er was lovely, but a frame that small just looks like a jump frame.
i’d love to see the arantix after a winter peaks ride, how much mud can you carry?
i’m with tootall on the detailing but i just don’t get 29er’s they look a bit like i’ve had several too many
think the Lank 45, Lark 45 would be ideal for me
ooh that Hamoon road bike is Sooooo ugly!
” A medium frame weighs a claimed 2.6lbs ”
Until it gets ridden in mud? for eg a wet year at mayhem ..
Pic 19 looks interesting, though very much like a thomson?
Four brands reviewed and only two are UK made, have I missed the ethos of the show….
There was a chap from London with lovely fillet blazed frames in picture frames. Really nicely done.
Definitely deserves the publicity more than that stupid US carbon thing!