Building a custom bicycle frame requires not a small amount of engineering prowess. Metallurgy notwithstanding, there’s stress and fatigue testing, and ergonomics. On top of all that, a frame builder also needs to be able to make a frame look good, and Prova Cycles’ Mark Hester has all of these skills in spades.
Previously based in Australia’s capital, Canberra, Mark has just relocated his workshop to Australia’s capital of cycling, Melbourne, where he has a new space next door to Bastion Cycles and their innovative 3D-printed frames. The combined energy of their engineering ingenuity must be creating a localised electrical storm.
Given his background of designing and manufacturing chassis for the motor racing industry, it’s no surprise to learn that Mark is a details man. His Instagram process reportage gives an insight into the consideration he gives to every minute of the frame, from the 3D-printed seat binders and cable routing bosses to the custom 4130 dropouts.
Mark fillet brazed a Columbus Spirit HSS down tube and a triple butted Life seat tube to an ovalized Reynolds 853 top tube for a customer who was a seasoned road rider but was “steel curious”, so his new Prova will prove to be a comfortable all-day rider. An AX Lightness wheel set and carbon Curve Cycling fork will only improve the situation.
Inside the steerer tube are 3D-printed clips to prevent the Campagnolo EPS cable from rubbing, and he wasn’t too forward-thinking to neglect the addition of a chain catcher. A matching saddle and bar tape by another Melbourne local, Busyman Bicycles, is the only way to top off a bike like this.
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Massive thanks to Andy ‘FYXO’ White for the great photography — head to his site for more.