It’s impossible to gauge, just by taking a simple glance, how many hours of thought and work have gone into creating a bike like this. But grasping the work involved is nothing compared to the cultural and emotional significance of this new Chapman Cycles tourer.
Rhode Island’s Brian Chapman, of Chapman Cycles, manufactures bicycles that belie his 46 years. A true constructeur, he mainly focuses on classical genres such as randonneurs, tourers and road bikes.
However, if the customer requests a Rohloff hub, funky geometry or other modern accoutrements, he will still produce a bicycle that retains the essence of the golden era, one that today’s pace — to its chagrin — wants to overtake.
Jacquie Phelans is also someone that appreciates a more natural rhythm. A former pro mountain biker, she’s an incredibly clever wordsmith and founder of WOMBATS, the Women’s Mountain Bike & Tea Society, an off-road cycling network for women.
She’s the partner of legendary cyclist and inventor Charlie Cunningham, whose contribution to the technological advancement of the MTB is evident today, such as compact geometry, the Q-Factor and the use of aluminum for frames and components.
Back in 2015, Charlie had a serious bike accident which resulted in broken bones, bruises and, subsequently, a subdural hematoma. Since then, Jacquie has been his carer, piloting him on a tandem around their home of Marin.
Another of Charlie’s inventions was the Roller Cam Brake, which minimises flex and maximises brake accuracy and power. He was still tweaking and improving it before his accident, even though the design had been licensed to SunTour in 1985.
Jacquie and Brian connected through a fundraiser for Charlie, eventually asking him to build her a bike. Brian was beyond stoked, having been obsessed with Charlie’s work and especially his brake designs.
Brian asked Jacquie if he could make a set of brakes based on Charlie’s lever-link design and she agreed, even sending him a set of the links that Charlie made. Building the arms out of steel, he refined the design until perfect, then had them CNC machined.
It’s an incredibly successful design and stirring to see it in action on Jacquie’s bike. Brian documented the development and fabrication process on his Instagram, which is an enlightening feed, whether you’re a frame builder or not.
Brian’s fabrication didn’t stop there: he also made the stem and the cranks, using pedal bosses and broached spindle bosses from Solid Bikes. The caps with Chapman’s anchor logo are nice touches. The rack is custom-made too, with around thirty-five tiny fillets.
Brian’s attention to detail is admirable, right down to the integrated rear lighting on the Brooks Cambium saddle and the seat post’s wiring through the ‘O’ in Nitto. We have a feeling Jacquie’s bike is going to be a wonderful ride, one that she will love every mile of.
Chapman Cycles | Facebook | Instagram | Flickr
Head to Charlie’s fundraiser page to learn more about his current condition and how you can help sustain him and Jacquie’s caregiving.
