There is something eminently graceful about mixtes and ladies’ bikes. This J.P.Weigle frame, however, also bears an underlying strength. Its low stance and swept bars are reminiscent of a Douglas speedway bike. Maybe it’s the smaller-than-expected 650b wheels.
Peter Weigle is a Southern New England builder—Lyme, Connecticut, to be exact—who keeps a low profile on the hand built bicycle scene. Apart from numerous People’s Choice awards, two Best in Shows, numerous Best Randonneur at Cirque du Cyclisme and a cult following of those who appreciate the art of the handmade bicycle. Inspired by a certain Rene Herse, this randonneuse is full of the sort of details that comprise a beautiful bicycle: a perfect marriage between function and form.
Take the rear light, for example. Only on randonneurs and Dutch bikes would you normally find features like a rear light that can bolt on to the rack or the seat post, depending on whether you’ve stepped out with your bespoke luggage or not. Both the front and rear lights are manufactured by Peter for his bikes and are battery powered. The paint is a hand mixed wet paint and not powder-coated, a beautiful shade which complements the leather of the Ideale 92 saddle. Peter constructs the racks in-house individually for each bike as well.
Bicycles like this are reminders of an age gone by, and we can be thankful for builders like Peter Weigle for combining tradition with technology in a sympathetic fashion. It is then the bike can be enjoyed for it’s true purpose: pleasurable touring with the assurance of a reliable ride.
See more of Peter’s wonderful bikes on his flickr stream, and special credit is given to Cirque du Cyclisme photographer Ken Toda.
