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Custom Bicycles: A Passionate Pursuit - Book Review

By Meghan McCausland

“A bicycle frame builder is no ordinary man. He has given man the ability to travel under his own power at speeds in excess of 100 kilometers per hour.” So says Phil Liggett, sports broadcaster and English voice of the Tour de France, in his foreword for the book Custom Bicycles: A Passionate Pursuit. Authors Christine Elliott and David Jablonka of Melbourne, Australia, traveled to three continents in search of the ultimate craftsmen, those who illustrate their own unique ability to create “art in a usable format” and construct bicycles to fit like a tailored suit.

The book features 39 builders from Australia, Europe and the United States. Colorful photos of handcrafted bicycles fill up over 200 pages, some as beautiful, sleek and thin as a Calvin Klein model. Hours of detailed labor are evident in each as the builder strives to create a bike fit to perfection with uniquely handcrafted lugs and rear dropouts. Bob Brown of Bob Brown Cycles says he puts “a lot of love into those parts [which] shows in the final product.” The frame builders also repeatedly stress the importance of knowing one’s chosen material inside and out. Some choose only to work with one material such as steel, whereas others use aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber and even bamboo.

It is evident that each handmade bicycle is produced strictly with the specific patron in mind. Most like to take several hours to fit a new client, which includes going for a ride to examine the person’s style, ability and technique. Dave Bohm of Bohemian Bicycles designed a practical, adult tricycle for a woman with Muscular Dystrophy. The lightness of the tricycle and the added gears allowed easier cycling up hills and enabled her to keep her legs in shape.

The featured companies are often one- to two-man operations in a single workshop with the only guide being experience and an innovative mind. Tony Giannascoli of Quebec, Canada’s Guru Bicycles believes that building handmade bikes is like “honoring those two masters, science and art.” He has taken his experience and interest in both and applied it to his craft, turning out unique bicycles that fit the quirks of each rider.

Out of the three continents considered, many of the featured artists are from the West Coast. Author Christine Elliott states, “we wanted to choose a range ... from different countries, but of course the majority of custom builders are located in the U.S.A.”

This includes Bill Davidson of Davidson Handbuilt Bicycles. His workshop near Seattle’s Elliott Bay is where the company creates mostly steel, titanium and carbon fiber bicycles. Author David Jablonka discovered Davidson’s work while at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show in Oregon. “David was impressed with Bill’s beautiful bikes and his obvious years of experience as a master builder,” says Elliott. He has been building bikes for 35 years and continues to apply his aptitude for innovative craftsmanship to each bike.

The book is more than your average coffee table centerpiece. Elliott claims, “David and I felt that the work of custom bicycle builders was worthy of being featured in a beautifully presented book.” Through attractive and interesting photography, the book illustrates the artistry of handcrafted bicycles; ones that would not only be at home in an art museum, but that are usable and accessible.

Each builder’s profile follows a pattern, discussing his or her background, methods and reasons, and innovative designs. The detailed craftsmanship of each bicycle is evident and interesting to read about, even for non-cyclists. However, for those that are not savvy with all the technical jargon of bike mechanics, it may be difficult to fully appreciate. The authors take for granted some of the terminology, potentially eliminating interest for many readers. Yet the book does an excellent job of nicely presenting the many layers of building bicycles. If you are looking for an appreciation of the unique styles of custom bicycles, this book fully succeeds.

Custom Bicycles: A Passionate Pursuit By Christine Elliott and David Jablonka. Images Publishing Group. 233 pgs. Hardcover. At Barnes and Noble for $48.00 USD or online at Amazon.com for $37.80 USD.