The annual Bespoked show in Bristol was awash with beautiful bikes as always... and while there were some lovely frames and fine forks on display, we also spotted some interesting components, accessories and innovations too. Here are some of our favourites...
road.cc Bespoked 2018 Choice Awards
Bespoked 2018 highlights
Reynolds 3D-printed components
Reynolds won a road.cc Choice Award for these impressive 3D printed parts, and they're well worth another mention. They've been investing heavily in 3D printed lugs as of late, and also shown off dropouts, bottom brackets and head tubes at Bespoked, made from titanium and steel. For small frame builders it offers the chance to make unique components and parts with customised shapes and designs, without the huge costs associated with large scale production. If it catches on and is affordable to the consumer, it's exciting and potentially revolutionary stuff from Reynolds.
Alpitude single bolt out-front mount
Alpitude is the spin-off component and accessory brand of Italian frame makers Werking, and the Stelvio carbon out-front computer mount weighs a tiny 15g. Inserts are included for Garmin, Polar and Wahoo computers, and they're available now for 85 euros.
Flightrider pannier set/bike bag
This is a really nifty idea, a set of panniers that transforms into a robust bike bag for flying. The panniers are removed, and then zip together to form a bike bag - easy and quick enough to do at the airport terminal right before you head to the check-in desk. As you can see, they can be mounted on a front or rear rack, and the bags are made from 1000 denier Cordura that is waterproof and resistant to abrasion. You also get lightweight wheelbags supplied. Flightrider are in their final development stage, and you can check out their website to join a mailing list for updates.
Moskito Smart Watch
We recently reviewed the StemCaptain clock, a cool idea that often turns heads... but what if it did more than tell the time? Step forward the Moskito, a smart watch whereby the body can be twisted off and used as a functional stem cap. The watch is bluetooth-ready, takes your speed, distance, time etc and can also be synced with Strava and Garmin Connect. It's finished beautifully, with a sapphire glass casing and either leather or nato straps when worn as a wrist watch. Moskito originally got their project funded on Kickstarter, and were showing off a Chris King version of the watch at Bespoked, limited to just 24 pieces... yes they're £663 according to our Swiss Franc conversion, but it's still a mighty cool bit of kit! (classic versions will be available from June 2018).
White industries G30 gravel crankset
This adventure gravel crankset from White Industries is made in the USA, and has crank arms that are designed to give plenty of spacing for wider tyres while allowing you to keep a streamlined chain line thanks to the narrow 30mm aluminium spindle. It's BSA, T47 and Press Fit 30 compatible and available in versions for both TSR 1X and VBC 2x chainrings, which are sold separately.
Lucky Me
I thought the X was for the Elon - which doesn't make things any better...
This risks turning me into a hanger and flogger....
In SE London, psychopath riders are the majority of people on bicycles Oh dear! another festive stealth anti-cyclist ☃️
Well, you know the BMW drivers' saying: knock that house (hospital, social housing, care home, hospital...) down, could save 30 seconds on the trip!
I had the pleasure of owning two of the featured builders here, in my history. When I joined the Army in 1971, I took with me my curly Hetchins:...
Could Siobhán paint it red and noone would notice it?
To paraphrase Field of Dreams, "Build it right and they will come: and use it!"
And a Happy Christmas to you, road.cc staff!
The odds of not being able to find a single pedestrian - just one, note, "any pedestrian" - in an area containing more than about ten of them who...