British Bikes

[ufkacbln]

Can I suggest something really radical.

Some years ago a friend of mine had his 20th Wedding anniversary and his wife paid for him to go on a frame building course!

He spent several days being taught about framed design, welding and other skills and walked away with a frame that he knew was not only British, but unique as HE had designed and built it!

 

[Venod]

Lets not forget Woodrup

http://www.flickr.com/photos/woodrup_cycles/

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Sounds like a job interview.

Sorry. Carbon just brings out the geek in me. I'm surprised we do not have many bespoke carbon bike producers in the UK as we have a wealth of knowledge and experts in this material.

Thanks for the knowledge though

 

[biggs682]

Hi biggs682. Happy to oblige. Please take a look at my flickr site for some process shots http://www.flickr.com/photos/craddockcycles/

very nice indeed , put my motly crew to shame http://www.flickr.com/photos/68734341@N04/

 

[Richard Craddock]

Sorry. Carbon just brings out the geek in me. I'm surprised we do not have many bespoke carbon bike producers in the UK as we have a wealth of knowledge and experts in this material.

Thanks for the knowledge though

Ah no worries at all! I'm a geek for manufacturing and engineering. I visit factories and study processes for everything from cricket bats to racing yachts via Swiss watches and telescopes. My little company is new so I know I have to explain myself. Happy to answer any questions.
The UK is a significant country for composites science and R&D, and even makes a fair amount of stuff but it's largely for F1, aerospace and defence, where performance matters more than price. The reason you don't get carbon consumer products made here is that, despite its hi-tech nature, it's mainly hand made and Chinese labour is cheaper than UK labour. If a bike brand can spend less on manufacturing it has more cash for advertising, and that's necessary for selling volume bikes. As for custom carbon, well it takes a lot of investment for one person to set up, and it's probably too low volume for bigger companies to bother with. Cheers.

 

[Dusty Bin]

I'm surprised we do not have many bespoke carbon bike producers in the UK as we have a wealth of knowledge and experts in this material.

It's called 'supply and demand'.

As for the Craddock frames - I'd be there like a shot if I had the budget...

 

[jowwy]

@Mr Haematocrit sabbath build bespoke titanium frames.

 

[jasonmccullum]

try a wyndymilla bike

 

[compo]

Being a complete cheapskate I have fancied building a bamboo frame for some time now. It's strong, light, and the bikes I have seen made of it look so awful they have a beauty of their own!

 

[compo]

We had two bamboo bikes on a FNRttC to Brighton once. Half of them started falling apart en route.

Only need a tube of No-More nails and soon back on the road

 

[Fab Foodie]

Being a complete cheapskate I have fancied building a bamboo frame for some time now. It's strong, light, and the bikes I have seen made of it look so awful they have a beauty of their own!

You just need to water them until they reach the size you want ....

 

[simon.r]

Not what the OP is after, as MTB frames, but this venture looks interesting:

http://road.cc/content/news/108530-...ted-set-start-bicycle-manufacturing-yorkshire

 

[Fab Foodie]

Not what the OP is after, as MTB frames, but this venture looks interesting:

http://road.cc/content/news/108530-...ted-set-start-bicycle-manufacturing-yorkshire

Also these guys are new .....
http://www.oxfordbikeworks.co.uk/OxfordBikeWorks/Home.html

 

[YahudaMoon]

If you open this link you will find a long list of British Frame builders !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.framebuilding.com/custom_uk_bicycle_framebuilders.htm

Defunked Closed down last year I think and the only frame builder that specialized in track I think in the UK

NEILL ORRELL CYCLES
395 HOLLINGWOOD AVENUE, NEW MOSTON, MANCHESTER, M10 OJQ
0161 6811517



Now called Wills Wheels, didnt realize they built frames?

BARDSLEY CYCLES
482 MANCHESTER RD, HEATON CHAPEL, STOCKPORT, CHESHIRE, SK4 5DL
0161 432 4936

 

[SteCenturion]

Got any suggestions for bike builders, not worried about the material in reality.. just looking for British craftsmen and passion.

I have an old-ish (last 12 mths) bike mag that has a big feature on Brit bike builders.
I will dig it out & re-read then post back.

For now though - take a look at Feather (built in Yorkshire buy a Master craftsman - unless I have my Di2 wires crossed).

Edit.
Oh yeah - Shand & Mercian are two others featured.
Reminded by other posts on thread.