Recent Custom Builds

We’ve realised that nearly none of the bikes we make are a standard spec - almost all have an element of customisation. We thought it would be fun to show you what other customers have, and what’s possible.

Alison visited earlier in the year looking for a lightweight touring bike. She was very happy with the fit she had on her previous Trek Women’s Specific Design road bike, but wanted the braze-ons to be able to add panniers and mudguards etc. We copied the geometry of her previous bike and built her frame using fillet-brazed Reynolds 853 tubing. High-spec Shimano transmission components and finishing kit complete the bike.

Every year when we renew our demonstrators we always have a dilemma about what to do with the parts. This year we built a bike for a student at Sussex University from our parts bin using an old steel mountain bike frame we had lying around. Given the steep hill up to the campus we’ve made sure there are plenty of low gears for climbing.

This is Derek’s 700c Rohloff Tour. In pillar-box red with a Brooks B67, single kickstand and Knog Oi bell. We also used the new Shimano PD-EF202 pedals, which are superb for touring in flat shoes. They have durable bearings and raised grips in the casting of the pedal body which means no more scratched legs and no more rusty pins, but still decent grip on the sole of your shoe.

This is Thomas’s very custom Expedition Bike. He asked us if we could do a “between sizes” version of the Toutterrain Silk Road with 26” wheels as he fell between two frame sizes. He also wanted enough clearance so that he could use 27.5”s with 1.5” tyres once he’s finished his expedition. So we rescaled the geometry, added extra tyre clearance and spaced out the mudguards so that they are still a neat fit.

Hannah’s Model1 equipped for multisurface touring. She has gone for a custom colour - RAL5020, twin leg kickstand, Schwalbe Marathon Mondial tyres, Ergon GP5 multi position grips and a B&M light set coupled to a SP PV-8 dynamo hub.

Ann’s Model 2 has all the refinement you would expect of a bike equipped with Shimano XT running gear. To this she has added a SON28 dynamo hub and B&M Luxos U front light with USB charging device. The bike comes equipped with Magura HS11 hydraulic rim brakes as a no-cost option. The step-through frame was built by Lee Cooper in Coventry. With regular maintenance, this bike will last more than 20 years.

This is Charlotte’s Model1 with kickstand, Ergon GP5 grips and Marathon Plus tyres. Charlotte is 5’0” and struggled to find bikes that would fit her. This custom built frame gave her the perfect stand over height and cost £80 more than the standard size options. She plans to use this for leisure cycling, commuting and EuroVelo touring.

This is Neil’s Model 2 in the new standard grey colour we’re offering for 2020. He brought his saddle over from a previous bike. He went for a SON28 dynamo hub coupled with a Velocharger USB charging device (He needs to make a final decision on where to place it on the frame). He added Ergon GP5 grips for comfort. He didn’t go for a kickstand, but there’s a kickstand mount if he changes his mind. With Deore XT running gear and handbuilt wheels, this is a really durable option for people who want to buy bikes that will last.

This is Brian’s Model 3, with a custom step through to accomodate his restricted hip movement. Brian hopes to use this bike for light touring, fitness rides and sportives. It is equipped with a SON 28 dynamo hub with B&M Luxos U light and USB charger. It also has a custom colour - RAL 2004

This is a custom-built Rohloff Tour with 26” wheels designed for a long, long trip around the world. You can’t beat 26” wheels for out and out comfort and usability. Coupled with Schwalbe Marathon Mondials, Ergon GP5 grips and Brooks B17S, Mirrycle Mountain Mirror, SON 28 dynamo hub and USB charger, this bike is equipped for whatever the world can throw at it. The customer went for a custom colour as a way of personalising the bike. If you keep in touch with our facebook and instagram pages you can follow her progress.

Pete Lamb’s Expedition Bike in the heat of Northern Australia (hence the 10 litres of water on board). Pete is cycling and running across the world - you can check out his latest progress by following him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/petelamb_/ or on his own blog at https://linktr.ee/petelamb_ His bike is a standard Expedition with Schwalbe Marathon Supremes for a low friction tarmac ride.

Clare’s bike is a standard Model1 with just a few upgrades - ErgonGP5 grips - good for being able to shift your body and hand position when on the bike for long days. Brooks B17S Saddle for ultimate comfort, and Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres for ultimate puncture protection and low rolling resistance. With our sloping frame geometry there’s still plenty of stand over for smaller riders .(Clare’s 5’2” and this bike is set up for her.)

As part of our long term goal of bringing all frame production back to the UK, we have started to make all our custom frames and XL sizes here in the UK as of Jan 2020. These are very high quality plain gauge Chromoly tubes (0.9mm thick - built for ultimate strength) If you want thinner tubes you can always upgrade to a Reynolds tubeset. These will be built by Lee Cooper.

Sally’s Step-through 700c Rohloff Tour. Standard Blue (RAL 6034) We shortened the top tube due to her relatively short torso. A single leg e-bike kick stand rated at 45kg will enable her to stand her bike fully loaded. She wanted messages written on the top tube and right fork.

Tim’s Custom Rohloff Tour was configured for the South African Bush. He’s gone for chunky bombproof Marathon Plus Tour tyres, a SON 28 dynohub coupled to a Sinewave Reactor USB charger. He chose Reynolds 853 custom fillet-brazed frame in a custom colour. A Brooks B17, Jones H-bar, twin leg kickstand and steering stabilizer completes the package.

Maps are coming to Oxford Bike Works! Proper ones that you can open up and spread out on your kitchen table! We have two plans, a short term plan, and a long term plan

Short term plan:

We have decided to stock the excellent range of cycling maps produced by Sustrans. These cover the whole country at a scale of 1:110,000 which is pretty much perfect for cycle touring. If you do 50 miles a day one map will last you 3 days, on average. They are clear enough for navigating on the hoof and mean that if you find yourself on a road with heavy traffic, you'll be able to find an alternative route without stopping. These are available at £5 each by mail order. For extra tear, and moisture resistance, we'll be offering treated maps at a cost of £12.

Long Term Plan:

We are currently in negotiation with a large mapping agency (not the OS) to produce a 1:100,000 in the same vein as the old Barts 1:100,000, with colour coded relief. We always thought there was something special about being able to spread your map out and plan your next day's route, avoiding roads you know will be busy. We hope to be able to be able to print site-centred maps on polyester paper that won't tear or go to mush in the rain.

Our day-to-day news is shown on our facebook page which you can access here

The Stivvy -

A bike you can ride all day without ruining your appetite for more!

Being based in the village of Steventon, local people are known as Stivvies. We thought we'd like to build a bike suited to the local tracks and trails, both rocky and muddy behind our village and up to the Ridgeway of the Berkshire Downs. These tracks are often deeply rutted, but don't have the kind of terrain where suspension is particularly useful. We put together the bike above with our steel frame, hydraulic rim brakes, DT Swiss rims and XT hubs, and 11 speed XTR transmission with a single chainring at the front and an 11-42 cassette. Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Tyres and a Brooks Imperial saddle complete the picture. Its only a prototype at the moment but it weighs in at 11kg and we'd expect to charge around £1500. No need for panniers as its a day bike, but we'd expect some would like it with mudguards for the winter for a little extra comfort. Either way, it has the full complement of braze-ons should you decide to take off round the world on it at some stage in the future.

Coming soon:

Our state of the art commuter bike. Lets face it its often our commuter bike thatdoes most of our miles - why shouldn't you spend a decent amount of money on the bike you use most? Gear ratios tailored to your commute. Maintenance free hub brakes built into bullet-proof hand built wheels. A dynohub and light combination with integrated USB charger completes the package. Photos and detailed specifications to follow.