'Bespoked Bristol,' the UK's largest handmade bicycle show, took place this weekend at Brunel's Old Station in Bristol.
Celebrating bicycle craftsmanship at its finest, it showcased the work of independent and small-scale frame and bike builders from across the UK and abroad.
After being overcome by feelings of desire while wandering around the room full of expertly engineered and often delightfully eccentric pieces of machinery, Cycling Weekly selected eight of the things we liked from the event.
A delightfully decorated quill stem from Oregon based builder, Winter Bikes. The detail is an art nouveau flower design which also forms the company logo.
Leather frame cladding
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You might not be able to make a frame from leather, but the men behind this Faggin frame decided that you can certainly make a frame look like leather. This build was completed by a brown Brooks saddle and leather bar tape.
Art on a bike
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Maybe a toddler was let loose in the painting room at the Pegoretti factory, or perhaps this frame is a Jackson Pollock inspired masterpiece. Whatever your taste in art, you certainly don't see many frame like this riding around.
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No fuss mudguards
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No fiddling around with zip-ties will ever be required with this beautiful integrated set of mudguards on a Feather Bikes build. The simple copper finish, as well as complimenting the rest of the bike, will slowly turn to the same colour as the frame as the metal oxidises.
Re-inventing the wheel
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This unusual invention from Loop Wheels apparently provides added suspension, smoothing the ride and improving the grip of slick tyres. Neat, simple and ingenious: the desire to be different was reflected in many of the makers we encountered at the show.
Wood, glorious wood
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Made from two pieces of birch plywood glued together, the computer aided manufacturing process allows Mike Cubbage of Flat Frame Systems to make a bike in practically any shape he desires. We think this one looks like a motorbike from the 1930s.
A fitting tribute
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Some years ago, Harry Wade put his son Robert on his first bicycle. Fast forward to 2013, and Robert is making his own bikes under the name Swallow. What better way to remember his father than to paint his portrait on the seat-tube of a bike dedicated to his memory.
Extreme weather resistance
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This road bike from Colourbolt was painted in what the makers called 'drenched black.' The idea is that the finish is tough enough to resist everything the Great British Weather can throw at cyclists and their machines. Though it won't keep you dry, the bike ought to weather any storm; the same paint is used by Transport for London (TfL) on its train station handrails.
Richard Abraham is an award-winning writer, based in New Zealand. He has reported from major sporting events including the Tour de France and Olympic Games, and is also a part-time travel guide who has delivered luxury cycle tours and events across Europe. In 2019 he was awarded Writer of the Year at the PPA Awards.
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