The 2024 edition of the Bespoked Handmade Bike Show returned to the UK this year after taking a holiday in Dresden in 2023, popping up at Manchester’s iconic Victoria Baths. Thankfully the baths weren’t filled (believe it or not, it’s happened a few times over the past 20 years for very special events), as many of the bespoke steel beauties on display could have become very rusty indeed…
Below we have selected five of our highlights. At the very bottom of the article you will find a bonus gallery with even more bikes, gear and facts.
The Reap Vekta 019 is a British made carbon speed machine
Reap doesn’t beat around the bush when it comes to describing the difference between its Formula 1-inspired, high-end carbon road and triathlon bikes and “generic” bikes from other brands. On the first page of Reap’s website, the brand states: “Something went wrong with carbon bikes over the last decade.
“The majority of the world’s ‘high-end’ carbon fiber bikes are made in just four factories in Asia. How can brands claim their bike has revolutionary technology when it’s made by the same people, in the same factory, in the same way as maybe five other brands’ bikes? Generic manufacturing techniques create generic bikes. Do you want generic?”
If the answer is no and you have some cash to spare, Reap claims the Vekta 019 can get the job done and get you to the finish line faster and more sustainably than most carbon bike manufacturers.
The frame is made from natural fibers and bio-resins that offer “phenomenal damping properties,” bringing the bike industry “one small step closer to a sustainable future,” Reap claims.
Reap admits the finish of this prototype isn’t perfect, but the aim is “to show what a British carbon manufacturer can do.”
harvestbikes.com
This custom-built Condor showcases the clever Columbus Trittico integration system
Condor showed a number of bikes at Bespoked, but it was the collaboration with Columbus that really caught our attention.
By using the Columbus Trittico carbon cockpit, the system allows for fully integrated cable routing in custom bike builds. According to the folks we spoke to at Condor, the frame doesn’t strictly support fully internal cable routing.
Columbus promises improved handlebar ergonomics thanks to a half-moon notch under the brake levers. In addition, micro-tuning of the stem is possible, for positions of -5°, 0 or +5 mm.
To emphasise this, this specially painted bike features the Columbus livery and high-end components from Shimano and Chris King.
condorcycles.com
Leuven’s custom creations are made from recycled women’s city bikes
The enthusiastic man at this stand was happy to tell us about the benefits of converting old bicycles into functional fixies and even racing bikes with a drop bar.
We were told that the bike above, originally a small ladies bike, has a unique and very lively ride that beats any modern carbon or steel frame for fast city riding. Those are pretty big claims and without trying it ourselves we can’t be sure, but whatever you choose…
The high-quality, painted racing bike from Twmpa is for wooden bike enthusiasts looking for something a little more subtle
Twmpa Cycles has been showing its high-end wooden bikes at Bespoked for a few years now and has now decided to add a splash of colour to its AR1.1 all-road bike. And what a beautiful paint job it is.
You might be thinking: surely anyone who is going to invest in a custom wooden bike would want natural colours, so that everyone knows what a rare beast they are riding? Apparently not, according to Twmpa, who told us that some customers simply want a wooden frame for its superior ride quality, and would rather not get all the attention on their leisurely rides through the countryside.
The Twmpa AR1.1 is available from £3,490 for the frameset.
twmpacycles.co.uk
Shand is now ‘Born in Scotland’, not ‘made in Scotland’
This isn’t really ‘cool’, but more of a general interest announcement from bespoke steel bike brand Shand. However, we’re told that Shand bike frames and various components are now being 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 component manufacturer Rideworks, who recently bought Shand from Liberty House. Feedback on Shand’s social media has been mixed, but TL/DR, the brand is alive and well and now based in Coventry.
Some of the bikes on display included the Stoater flat bar hybrid, the Rizello road bike and the Stooshie gravel bike.
shandcycles.com
Check out more highlights in the gallery below…