At our Neepsend shop we hold a hoard of used parts, accessories and bicycles. Sometimes these bikes are built into something quite special, you may have seen ‘Custom Build’ on one of our Pre-loved Bicycle listings and not know what it means. These are bikes that start refurbishment as a bare frame and an idea of what it could turn into. Commonly, we like to modify older bikes and bring them a new lease of life where they end up much more capable than they would have been from the factory. These ‘resto-mod’ bicycles not only look the part but in my eyes are a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Our wealth of experience working with all kinds of bicycles started a thought around how the smoothest bicycles to ride tended to be vintage steel road bikes, gaining their comfort from the gentle compliance that a steel frame offers. But these bikes struggle around Sheffield with narrow ratio drivetrains holding you back uphill and not very strong brakes making things a bit sketchy going downhill. So we set out on a mission to create the perfect city bike to eat up these hills and to keep the striking vintage styling we’ve come to love so much.
Our custom builds come in two forms here, mechanic designed and built and put up for sale, client led build where you decide exactly how your bike is going to end up, we can tailor everything down to the last bolt to your requirements. We are intent on saving bikes from the scrap man and creating bicycles you love to ride, from time trial bikes converted to flat bars for speed and agility while being comfortable for daily riding, to 1950s pieces of cycle art brought back to life with a new lease of life, to 80s steel frames completely refitted with a modern wide range drivetrain and a modern wheelset into a touring bike.
If reading this has inspired you to have your own build, please get in contact with us, or pop into our Neepsend shop and have a look at the frames that could become your new pride and joy.
Elliot works on a custom build at our Neepsend Shop
