Bespoked 2019: What to expect from the UK handbuilt bicycle show this weekend

This weekend sees the 9th edition of Bespoked, the UK’s only celebration of handmade bicycles with over 100 of the finest framebuilders from around the world ready to share their latest creations in Brunel’s Old Station in Bristol on 3-5th May.

- road.cc Bespoked 2018 choice awards: Woodrup, Cyfac and Reynolds

If you want to see some of the finest and most beautifully made custom frames, this is the show for you. In its 9 years, it has never failed to deliver some spectacular bikes with the sort of attention to detail you rarely see in the rest of the bike world. It’s also unique in that many of the display bikes are actually bikes that have been made for customers, and you also get to chat to the person who has made the frame, not a marketing person.

“Bespoked is a celebration of handmade bicycles and the people who make them. It is the place for the public, industry and press to meet the independent makers and designers of the bicycle world. Bespoked is the highlight in the framebuilders’ calendar and they all work hard to bring something special to the show.

As well as classically beautiful bikes built for the road, track, mountains and town, you can expect to see the unexpected: from groundbreaking design to alternative visions from people who think outside the box,” adds the organisers.

So what can you expect this year? Returning favourites include Saffron Frameworks, Australian innovator Prova Cycles plus British favourites Toad Cycles, Ted James, Quirk Cycles, Liz Beaumont, Condor and Enigma. Moss Bikes and Operation Pacemaker have their European speed record bike with plans on the world speed record.  

From Japan, exhibiting for the first time with their finely crafted cycles are Maruya. Cicli Barco adds to a growing Italian line-up whilst new UK exhibitors Arbr and Smithy Frameworks demonstrate an exciting diversity in British framebuilding. Meanwhile, the Bristol contingent gets stronger. Clandestine and Starling Cycles are truly local exhibitors and Bike Science offers precision bike-fitting on the Whiteladies Road (they’ll also bring along Legend Cycles and Lake Cycling Shoes). 

Covering other aspects of the bicycle are handmade saddles from Grafton Saddler, custom rucksacks and bags from Colorado-based Alpine Luddites, quick lock rack systems and saddle bags from Frost and Seker and Scottish accessories from Meander Apparel and Findra. Rapha will be holding a pop-up store on the Saturday and Sunday showing a selection of their latest products including their custom kits.

As well as the extraordinary bikes and accessories, there is a brilliant and diverse line up of talks and films scheduled from framebuilders, industry leaders, authors and cycling legends. The talks at Bespoked have become a headline feature and a firmly established favourite of visitors to the show. The 2019 line up promises to be the best yet.

Come and hear Chris King and representatives from the Isla Bikes Imagine Bike Project, Shift Cycling and The Bristol Bike project discuss sustainability in the cycling industry. Interested in long-distance racing/riding and the art of travelling light?

Former round the world record holder Vin Cox will be chairing a discussion on all things fast and far with Rob Quirk of Quirk Cycles, Katherine Moore from GCN, Nathan Hughes Restrap luggage founder and Paul Errington the man behind Grinduro.

Jet McDonald will be launching his new book ‘Mind is the Ride’ and will be answering questions from Bespoked founder Phil Taylor about cycling to India, bike parts and big ideas. Push Industries founder Darren Murphy will be talking total custom suspension.

There will also be the opportunity to put your questions to our panel of Titanium frame builders, join in with the framebuilders Q&A, learn how you could make your own bicycle frame and enjoy many more brilliant talks and films you definitely won’t want to miss. 

- 12 bikes from Bespoked that we'd like in our shed

And keeping your energy levels topped up, Cycle café Look Mum No Hands will be on hand to serve up good strong coffee, ale and delicious bites to eat.

Head over to bespoked.cc to see the full exhibitor list. Tickets are available from www.bespoked.cc/ticketsvenue.html or on the door.

Show dates and times:

• Friday 3rd May - 1pm - 7pm
• Saturday 4th May - 9.30am - 6pm
• Sunday 5th May - 10am - 4.00pm

Tickets - £20 day (£15 conc) / £30 3 Day Weekend / £10 last chance Sunday afternoon from 1pm

2 for 1 ticket offers to members of British Cycling / Cycling UK / Rapha Cycling Club

Online Ticket offer until Easter Monday 22 April- Day Entry £15 (+booking fee)