We started Bicycle House to provide industry best service and quality products for our clientele. That said, bringing in a custom bike manufacturer has always been a foregone conclusion. What better quality that something handmade? What better service than to create a one-of-one bike, tailored specifically for an individual rider.
To make this dream a reality we needed three things to happen:
Open a Bike Shop - Done
Have a method for determining custom geometry - Our fit system does an admirable job
Pair with a world class builder - See below
English Cycles
With a masters in mechanical engineering and extensive palmerès (including a NAHBS best in show), Rob English is a powerhouse of data driven creativity. We’ve long been fans of his work, and Rob is widely recognized as one of the best builders in the biz. English Cycles works from a form follows function perspective that’s refreshing in today’s marketing first world.
We’re not implying that his bikes aren’t beautiful things. We’re simply saying that the beauty on offer is more than skin deep.
Over the last couple of months we’ve been communicating with Rob, learning his process while figuring out the logistics of our partnership. Having ironed out these details, we’re beyond pleased to officially announce our status as an English Cycles dealer.
Looking for a lifetime bike? Need a geometry not offered by traditional manufacturers? Let’s craft something special.
The Process
Ordering a custom bike starts with fit. It’s a foundational, crucial piece of the puzzle. We’ll spend some time determining your ideal fit in house, then generally encourage you to ride the new position for several weeks, ensuring that things are dialed.
Once proper fit is established, we’ll pull exact measurements and send them to English Cycles, along with a description of what you’re looking for. How would you like the bike to ride? What issues are you trying to solve? Belt drive? Crazy tire clearance? Mounts for four bottles?
Rob will take this mountain of information and derive from it a geometry that addresses your checklist. Once that geometry is agreed upon, he’ll put you into the queue and we’ll start discussing the rest of your build, sourcing suitable parts to compliment the bike, and even chatting about paint color options.
We won’t say it’s a short process, but we reckon it’ll be a highly rewarding one. If you’re interested, swing by, or follow our social feeds. Thomas has already ordered his own English, and will be sharing updates as the build evolves.
And for some extra inspiration, check out this beautiful Cycling Tips gallery of one of our all time favorite English Cycles.