On Wednesday the 18th of November, an exhibition opens at London’s Design Museum, titled ‘Cycle Revolution’. It’s a superb snapshot of contemporary cycling, and includes bikes from Sir Bradley Wiggins’s 2015 Hour Record bike to a 1978 Breezer Series 1.
A frame builder’s workshop will also be set up inside the museum, profiling the work of some of our favourite builders — including this gravel/road bike by Caren Hartley, a jeweller who has turned her hand towards making exceptionally beautiful bicycles.
If you visited Brooks’ B1866 store in June this year, you’ll have seen another of Caren’s bikes: a sky-blue, 27.5+ tourer/porteur — called the Porkeur — created for photographer Camille Mcmillan. It’s high-polished detailing was stunning, just like this one.
Caren has an affinity with metal and an ability to refine it beyond mere function — she’s a true alchemist. Her bikes are a return to usable objects, and this one is her finest yet, marrying robust usability with exquisite ornamentation.
The frame is a union of British industry, crafted from Reynolds 953 stainless steel, Hope Tech hubs, Michaux Club handmade leather bar tape, Bentley Components bespoke art deco dropouts and Brooks‘ eagerly awaited C13 saddle.
This is a bike built for British weather and British roads, without concern for green lanes, B roads and bridleways. With paint and graphics that are at once traditional and contemporary, it paints a bright picture for the next generation of English cyclists.
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Head to the Design Museum’s website for more information on the Cycle Revolution exhibition.
Special thanks to Sebastien Klein for the photography.
