The 2024 edition of the Bespoked Handmade Bike Show returned to the UK this year after going on holiday to Dresden in 2023 and appearing at the iconic Victoria Baths in Manchester. Fortunately the pools were not filled (believe it or not, this has happened several times over the past 20 years at very special events) as many of the steel beauties on display could have become very rusty indeed…
We’ve picked out five of our highlights below, and right at the end of the article you’ll find a bonus gallery of more bikes, kit and curiosities.
The Reap Vekta 019 is a British carbon speed machine
Reap makes no effort to describe the difference between its high-performance Formula 1-inspired carbon road and trikes and the “generic” bikes of other brands. On the front page of the Reap website, the brand says: “Something has gone wrong with carbon wheels over the past decade.
“Most of the world’s ‘high-end’ carbon fiber bikes are made in only four factories in Asia. How can brands claim to have revolutionary technology in their bikes when they are made by the same people, in the same factory, in the same way, as maybe a generic production techniques of five other brands, do you want generic bikes?
If the answer is no and you’ve got some cash to spend, Reap says its Vekta 019 will do the job and then get you there in a faster, more sustainable way than most carbon bike manufacturers.
The frame uses natural fibers and bio-resins to provide “phenomenal damping properties”, which also takes the cycling industry “one, albeit small, step closer to a sustainable future”, according to Reap.
Reap admits that the surface of this prototype is not perfect, but the purpose is to “demonstrate what the British carbon manufacturer can do”.
reapbikes.com
This custom Condor showcases Columbus Trittico’s intelligent integration system
Condor has exhibited numerous bikes at Bespoked, but we were most intrigued by this own collaboration with Columbus.
The system utilizes the Columbus Trittico carbon fiber cockpit and allows for fully integrated cable routing with custom wheel designs; though the frame doesn’t strictly support full internal cable routing according to people we spoke to at Condor.
Columbus promises improved ergonomics from the handlebars thanks to a notch in the shape of a half-moon under the brake levers, and micro-tuning for positions of -5°, 0 or +5 mm is possible in the stem.
To show it off, this custom-painted bike features a Columbus look and high-end components courtesy of Shimano and Chris King.
condorcycles.com
Leuven’s custom creations are made from redesigned women’s city bikes
The enthusiastic guy at this booth was excited to tell us about the benefits of turning old beaters into functional markers and even road bikes.
Originally a small women’s city bike, we’re told the above bike has a unique and very lively ride that beats any modern carbon or steel frame for fast urban riding. Those are some big claims and we can’t be sure without going in, but whatever floats your boat…
Twmpa’s top-of-the-line painted road bike is for fans of wooden bikes looking for something a little more subtle
Twmpa Cycles has been showcasing their high-end wooden bikes on Bespoked for a few years now, and now they’ve decided to add some color to their AR1.1 all-road bike. And what a beautiful polish it is.
You might be thinking: surely anyone looking to invest in a custom wooden bike would want natural colors so everyone knows what rare beast they’re riding? Apparently not, according to Twmp, who told us that some customers simply want a wood frame for its superior ride quality, and would rather not get all the attention for their leisurely rides in the countryside.
The Twmpa AR1.1 starts from £3,490 for a frameset.
twmpacycles.co.uk
Shand is now ‘Born in Scotland’ not ‘Made in Scotland’
This isn’t quite a ‘cool’ thing, more of a public service announcement on behalf of custom steel bike brand Shand: but anyway it’s said that Shand bike frames and various custom parts are now made in Coventry and Wednesbury in the West Midlands, rather than in Scotland.
This follows the announcement that the brand is now part of mountain bike components manufacturer Rideworks, which recently bought Shand from Liberty House. Feedback has been mixed on Shand social media, but TL/DR, the brand is alive and well and now based in Coventry.
Bikes on display included a Stoater flat bar hybrid, a Rizello road bike and a Stooshie gravel bike.
shandcycles.com
Check out more of our highlights in the gallery below…