The UK Handmade Bicycle Show, Bespoked Bristol, is returning in 2015 to Brunel’s Old Station on the 17th to 19th of April. The decommissioned terminus is one of the oldest train stations in the world — a fitting venue for a celebration of the finest engineered bicycles.
Eric Estlund of Oregon’s Winter Bicycles is a regular visitor and exhibitor to the show and he’ll be there again this year with some new bikes. He recently completed this randonneur which will tide us over till we glimpse the new wares.
A rando frame requires many hours of a framebuilder’s time, due to the extra features required by a long distance ride. Rack and disc brake tabs, lighting and if you’re heading to an overseas destination, S&S couplers will also come in handy, asking for a few more hours.
The finished bike has been titled ‘Galene’, named after a minor goddess of Greek mythology who personifies ‘calm seas’, an apt association for a vehicle destined to travel, with reflections in the littoral sea foam color — applied by Keith Anderson — and smooth fillet brazing.
Galene might look like a classic craft, but many modern accoutrements have been incorporated, like internally routed front and rear dynamo lighting, an internal Rohloff rear hub and a Gates carbon belt drive system. It’s built around a 650b platform of Grand Bois 42mm tires, custom-formed Berthoud fenders and RuthWorks leather mud flaps.
TRP hydraulic disc brakes perform stopping duties, controlled by a cockpit secured by a custom stem. The luggage racks were also constructed in-house and can be removed depending on need: from a handlebar bag only to a full dresser with lowrider panniers.
She’ll be sure to deliver many years of comfortable riding — see more on the Winter Bicycles website. Special thanks to Eric for the photography.
