It’s two weeks today until the opening of Bespoked Bristol, the UK’s handmade bike show, where some 70 exhibitors will show off their finely crafted wares to hundreds of connoisseurs of custom bicycles.
We’ll be bringing you all the stories from those in the know in the build up to the show. Tom Donhou shared his passion for the frame builder’s art last week, and we’ll be bringing you the stories of plenty more of the craftsmen carrying the torches for custom manufacture as the show draws closer.
Phil Burnett from Mosquito Bikes will be explaining why customers travel to his London shop from all over Europe to be measured for the custom finery of Pegoretti, Independent Fabrication, Lynskey et al, while Sam Humpheson, chief mechanic at Look Mum No Hands, will be shining a light on the art of wheel building.
Chris Puttnam from Velobici will be telling us why drawing on Leicestershire’s rich history of garment manufacture is essential to his company, and designer, Ben Spurrier, will be describing how Condor Cycles continues to evolve designs begun by the company’s founder, Monty Young, nearly 65 years ago.
Our test fleet in the weeks leading up to the show will include hand built offerings from Condor and Zullo, as well as clothing from Velobici.
We’ll set the ball rolling with an insight into the craft of Ricky Feather, a man who quit his job as a fabricator in Leeds and travelled to New York where he discovered his calling as a frame builder.
See you in Bristol!