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Bespoked handmade show launches contest for bikes that are practical as well as beautifulBespoked Constructor's Challenge.png

Bespoked handmade show launches contest for bikes that are practical as well as beautiful

Framebuilders challenged to solve real-life problems
by John Stevenson
Tue, Oct 07, 2014 14:37
1

Calling all framebuilders: the Bespoked handmade bike show in Bristol next April has thrown down a new gauntlet for bikes that are practical and solve a particular user's transport needs.

The Bespoked Constructors' Challenge aims to broaden and diversify the appeal of bespoke bicycles, say show organisers. It will be part of the show that runs next year at the Arnolfini centre Bristol, April 17-19.

Shows such as Bespoked have focussed on the art and craftsmanship of custom-made bikes, but practicality and problem-solving has been less of a priority. The idea of the Bespoked Constructors' Challenge is for bike builders to demonstrate that their bikes can enhance people's lives or perform a particular function beyond just being wonderful to ride.

Bespoked organisers say: "While sport cycling is enjoying great attention from the press at present, the Constructors’ Challenge will highlight how bicycles have been used traditionally for quick, easy, efficient transport - ideal for modern towns and cities.

"Bespoke bicycles are not limited to top-end road or mountain bikes, this event will demonstrate the diversity of possible uses for this simple and adaptable machine - and that they form a viable alternative to the car for regular work and daily life."

Organisers say they are looking for "specific not generic designs – to creatively meet the unique needs of the end clients (individuals, businesses or communities). The Constructors’ Challenge is intended to demonstrate how makers, designers and end users can come together to create a bicycle that solves a real transport issue is someone’s daily life."

They're thinking of bikes such as The Printing Bike. Framebuilder Robin Mather (Winner of Bespoked's Best in Show 2012) teamed up with designer & letterpress printer Nick Hand to make a bike to carry a small letterpress printer to Mainz, Germany printing postcards on the way. The small-wheeled bike that Mather built for the trip incorporates platforms above the wheels for the printing press.

Entries to the Bespoked Constructors' Challenge close on October 31, 2014. Full details are over at the Bespoked website.

Bespoked UK Handmade Bicycle Show 2015
Bespoked
Arnolfini
Bespoked Constructors' Challenge
John Stevenson

John has been writing about bikes and cycling for over 30 years since discovering that people were mug enough to pay him for it rather than expecting him to do an honest day's work.

He was heavily involved in the mountain bike boom of the late 1980s as a racer, team manager and race promoter, and that led to writing for Mountain Biking UK magazine shortly after its inception. He got the gig by phoning up the editor and telling him the magazine was rubbish and he could do better. Rather than telling him to get lost, MBUK editor Tym Manley called John’s bluff and the rest is history.

Since then he has worked on MTB Pro magazine and was editor of Maximum Mountain Bike and Australian Mountain Bike magazines, before switching to the web in 2000 to work for CyclingNews.com. Along with road.cc founder Tony Farrelly, John was on the launch team for BikeRadar.com and subsequently became editor in chief of Future Publishing’s group of cycling magazines and websites, including Cycling Plus, MBUK, What Mountain Bike and Procycling.

John has also written for Cyclist magazine, edited the BikeMagic website and was founding editor of TotalWomensCycling.com before handing over to someone far more representative of the site's main audience.

He joined road.cc in 2013. He lives in Cambridge where the lack of hills is more than made up for by the headwinds.

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KiwiMike | 10 years ago
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Objective:

"highlight how bicycles have been used traditionally for quick, easy, efficient transport - ideal for modern towns and cities.

"demonstrate the diversity of possible uses for this simple and adaptable machine - and that they form a viable alternative to the car for regular work and daily life."

Example given:

"They're thinking of bikes such as The Printing Bike...a bike to carry a small letterpress printer to Mainz, Germany printing postcards on the way"

....words...palm...desk...fail...face...head...

Yet again, British innovation in cycling, based on trying to solve a problem that does not exist - or, at least hasn't existed since Mssr Gutenberg realised his printing press was much better off staying put in Mainz as the bicycle wouldn't be invented yet for another half a millennium.

If you'd care to gaze 300 miles east, you'll see about 20 Million bikes in near-constant use for transport/utility. If they aren't using a feature or design it's because it's been tried and discarded as uneconomical/impractical/pointless.

Still, I eagerly await the UK's leadership in auto-hipster-beard-trimming handlebar attachments, chainstay cutouts designed to auto-roll a pair of £180 Vulpine jeans, and the ability to auto-apply 'Cyclists - Stay Awesome' stickers to every HGV, white van or Vauxhall Corsa committing a punishment pass.

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