Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Double 29er by Retrotec Cycles

Double 29er bike by Retrotec Cycles

Retrotec frames and their curvy silhouettes may hark back to mountain biking’s adolescence, but they are, in fact, fresh from the jig.

In today’s age of logo-emblazoned carbon fiber popouts and their complicated, short-travel rear ends, they’re a refreshing reminder of how fun bicycles can be — especially when getting sideways around a berm down your local trail.

Double 29er bike by Retrotec Cycles
Based in Napa, California, Curtis Inglis has been building frames for around twenty years, after learning his skills in the Air Force and finessing them with Bob Seals at the original Retrotec.

Curtis rejuvenated the brand as a sideline to his own Inglis Cycles, established in 1996. The funky arcs have now developed a near-cult following, keeping him just as busy as the traditional straight frames.

Double 29er bike by Retrotec Cycles
Retrotec offer six frame styles: the Classic, Half, Twin, Double, Triple and Step Through. But their individual layouts can be tailored into almost limitless interpretations.

You could order a Half road frame, for instance, or a Triple tourer, or even a 650B Classic MTB. I’d be happy with this Double 29er, superbly shot by another Californian, the talented Brian Vernor.

Double 29er bike by Retrotec Cycles

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Double 29er bike by Retrotec Cycles
Double 29er bike by Retrotec Cycles
Double 29er bike by Retrotec Cycles