‘Blurple Rando’ may be a colloquial title, but it refers to a very serious machine. After years of riding a Pashley Guv’nor around and taking it on longer and longer rides, Alan approached Boston’s Royal H Cycles and Bryan Hollingsworth with a particular request for a dream bike.

Needless to say, Alan wasn’t disappointed. The timeless form of the Pashley appealed to Alan, so his ideal bike had to adhere to a similar aesthetic. I’m told it’s about twenty pounds lighter than the Guv’nor, even with fenders and racks. Unlike the Guv’nor, it’s designed specifically for all-day riding.

It’s easy to get used to the comfort provided by an upright ride like the Guv’nor; drop bars can feel unnatural afterwards. Bryan achieved a sloping top tube by fillet brazing the front end, making it easy to reach the drops. What the head tube lacks in detail, though, is made up at the seat stay junction.

The bi-laminate seat tube collar and fastback stays have been decorated with holes that resemble rivets, making the Royal H reminiscent of the pre-plastic era Alan’s Guv’nor was designed for. Modern Dura-Ace down tube shifters, an Ultegra drive train and Gran Compe 610 brakes balance the look.

Tim Dixon has painted quite a few Royal H Cycles, as well as the odd Icarus Frame. His ‘blurple’ paint is a real triumph, creating a stark contrast against the gunmetal grey. I don’t think Alan will tire of looking at it for quite some time. Special thanks to Eric Baumann for the awesome photography.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

The last we heard of Devon Tsuno he was enjoying a Hufnagel road bike with custom artwork inspired by his hero, Karl Benjamin. The Hufnagel was always purposed to be his ‘good’ bike, so he set about sourcing an everyday rider, one that he was happy using for errands and leaving locked up around town. A superb Bob Jackson frame was the result of his search.

It might not have been exactly what Devon was looking for, but it was the right fit and needed a good home. “I bought it from a ‘Groovy Old Man’ from Ojai at a Kabbalah Center in Beverly Hills. True story!” says Devon. Apart from being covered in dried Coca-Cola and having a ‘performance’ wheelset added, it was all original. Next stop: Golden Saddle Cyclery for some love from Kyle.

A new wheelset, Nitto Mustache bars and shifters, Brooks Ti Swift saddle and an Acorn Bag later, Devon was ready to hit the streets. “I love the paint, carved lugs, and pin striping, but after riding it I now understand why Bob Jackson is such a world class frame builder. I’m astonished at how stiff, light and responsive the frame is.”

Devon struck gold with this Craigslist find, as Reynolds 753 was discontinued because it was unable to be TIG welded. Frame builders had to submit examples of their brazing to Reynolds to be accredited to use the rare tubing, and Bob Jackson’s workshop is one of the few licensed builders. Special thanks to Devon Tsuno for the story and photos. Check out his flickr and website for more.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

It’s always interesting to hear of interests that cyclists pursue, whether it’s playing in a band, cooking or creating artwork. The background of Horse Cycles’ Thomas Callahan is that of a multimedia artist, which, to those who can see it, lends an extra perspective to his frames. This stainless steel tourer is the latest from his stable, which goes a long way in demonstrating his proficiency in this media.

The aim was to create a light weight tourer with a reliable front end, able to heft a loaded handlebar bag which, let’s face it, is all you need for a weekend away on the bike. Thomas fabricated the racks himself from nickel plated 4130 tubes, the rear designed with guards to protect the cantilever brakes from swaying panniers. An LED rear light was machined in-house to match the Schmidt E6 front lamp.

The frame was constructed from True Temper tubing, with Reynolds 953 for the rear triangle. The drive train consists of Shimano’s Ultegra group and a 105 triple crankset, while a Brooks saddle and bar tape complete the ensemble. The top cap incorporates a compass: an essential piece of kit for the touring cyclist. Check out more details on the Horse Cycle website.

Big thanks to fellow Brooklyn local Nate Mumford for the photography.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Stainless steel is a nice blend of titanium’s ‘crispness’ and the forgiving reliability of steel. It will always result in a very tidy frame, something that Alex Cook is proving through his A-train Cycles. Alex is based in Minneapolis, MN and has been building frames for around 5 years. A graduate of the United Bicycle Institute, he already has a slew of fine frames in his portfolio, everything from road and dirt frames to mixtes, even a couple of fat bikes.

Alex loves a challenge, especially “the odd and unique, including fat bikes, offset racks, and anything else that might invoke a bit of head scratching and napkin doodling”. This tourer is a recent build and looks ready to tackle any terrain. Constructed from KVA stainless steel tubing, it’s equipped with S&S couplers and is built up with a Rohloff hub. Alex constructed custom racks for the frame, which are robust and unobtrusive. Check out more on the A-train Cycles website.

PS: 2013 is drawing close, have you ordered your Cycle EXIF Custom Bicycle Calendar yet?

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

The United Bicycle Institute is located in Ashland and Portland, Oregon, which goes a long way in explaining the high concentration of fine handmade bicycle builders found there. You can expect to learn virtually everything you need to know about assembling and maintaining the beautiful machine and this randonneur is the graduate project of a UBI student.

Shu-Sin completed the frame building class at the Ashland campus just over a year ago, but it took him a year of filing, painting and assembling to bring it to a ride-able state. He put a great deal of thought into it: Shu-Sin, apart from being the first three letters of his first and last names, was the penultimate king of Babylonia — this provided the inspiration for the paint.

“The head badge is a modification of a relief on a palace wall in current-day Iran. It depicts the protective creature, the Lamassou (a man’s head, body of a bull or lion, wings of an eagle). They usually appear as a pair of stone statues at the city’s entrance to protect the inhabitants. The color was also chosen to reflect the predominant color of the region where Babylon once stood.

“I’m as proud of the rear light as I am of the bicycle. I designed, 3-D printed and assembled the light from plastic, glass/metal lens and put the guts together. I hope you like the images. The bicycle rides as a silk sheet in the wind!” Shu-Sin doesn’t have any plans to set up shop, but what a reward to create a bike like this by hand. Find out more on the UBI website.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

For Italy’s vast culture of legendary custom bicycle frame builders such as Colnago, Olmo, Pinarello, Cinelli, Gios and Pelizzoli, there doesn’t seem to be too many younger builders ready to prolong the tradition. Mattia Paganotti, of Legor Cicli, is one of a younger generation that seems to have inherited both the skills of his elders and their passion for the craft.

Mattia has already built an extensive portfolio of frames: this fillet-brazed, S&S-coupled tourer is the latest addition. It was contracted by Alessandro Vairo, an illustrator and designer who will doubtlessly approve of the smooth lines, subtle branding and glamorous paint. With a blend of pure function and unabashed flamboyance, it’s obvious the frame shares the same heritage as Vespa and Ferrari.

There’s a consistent theme across Mattias’ bikes — one of innovation and respect. He is aware of the Italian masters that have gone before him, but he also earns their pride by contributing his own style to the craft. Not limiting himself to road frames, Mattias also branches into cyclocross, 29er MTB and track frames. It’s reassuring to see Italy’s frame building legacy is in safe hands.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

San Francisco is a metropolis that has embraced cycling over the years, both as a method of clean urban transportation and escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. Raphael Cycles, located in the Mission District, is quickly gaining a name for building bikes perfectly suited to both.

This is Brendan’s Dirt Camper, a lithe frame that won’t baulk at the city limits. Designed to keep pace with downtown traffic, it can double as a surefooted packhorse when it’s time to go exploring. A sound investment considering the abundance of fine camping options within easy access of San Francisco.

The SRAM Rival group provides comfortable gearing, with Paul Components, Chris King, Thomson and Brooks rounding out the spec sheet. The smooth radii of the fillet brazed frame is easy on the eye — an ideal object for contemplation while either sitting around the campfire or at a downtown bar.

Contact Rafi at Raphael Cycles for more information. Big thanks to Geoffrey Colburn for the photos.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

There are thousands and thousands of bicycles in Indonesia, produced by a handful of manufacturers whose focus is more on international export than aesthetics or ride quality. Before being slapped with an anti-dumping sanction, Federal Cycles Mustika churned out millions of mediocre bikes but this light tourer is an example of reliable and functional beauty.

Arif Ahadiyanto is a passionate Surabayan cyclist who both enjoys riding and reinvigorating old Federal Cycles. He assembled this model from mostly second hand parts and a lick of rust-proofing paint. Constructed from steel tubing that will last longer than Arif, it’s a fine illustration of the fact that you don’t require a massive budget to maintain a beautiful bicycle.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

As far as ideal cycle touring destinations go, New Zealand is right at the top of the list. Villages and amenities are always within accessible distances and while the topography may be dramatic, it makes for truly awe-inspiring scenery. An ideal vehicle to journey this South Pacific paradise would be a light tourer by Auckland’s Chris Tuckey of Caldera Cycles.

After predominantly riding mountain bikes, Auckland local Cam ordered a Caldera Cycle that was to be his first ‘flash’ bike — a versatile all-rounder that would be his daily commuter, but could also take him on some long rides and even some cyclocross. Chris came back with a frame constructed from Columbus PegoRichie tubes joined with Llewellyn Custodian lugs.

Cam initially considered an ‘off-the-shelf’ bike but opted for a custom Caldera Cycle, as he wanted something unique and locally made. Cam was able to specify his own color scheme to both the frame and Honjo fenders, which was applied by local painter Haedyn Borck. It’s the individual details of a custom bike that help to make each ride extra special.

You can see more photos of the build process and final result on the Caldera Cycles flickr stream and website. Special thanks to Mike Davies for the photography.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

Recently, British cycling is undergoing somewhat of a renaissance, due in no small part to the success of riders such as Victoria Pendleton, Shanaze Reade, Sir Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins. Indeed, the United Kingdom has a rich cycling culture and history and this 1969 Holdsworth, liveried in the trademark colors, is a fine testament to it.

Sandy Holdsworth founded his company in Kent during the 1930s and it grew to be one of the country’s largest, even co-sponsoring the British Pro Team with Campagnolo during the 1970s. The Holdsworth featured here, frame #69551, is constructed with long-point Prugnat lugs and set up for light touring with Campy Nuovo Record and magnificent second generation Rally rear derailleur.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

If you want to learn how to make your own bicycle frame correctly, you will need to seek out a teacher that is willing to impart his, or her knowledge. Koichi Yamaguchi is a master of the art who has been generous enough to start a framebuilding school in Rifle, Colorado. Chris Chou was fortunate enough to complete the course and the final result is a credit to both teacher and student.

The waiting list to attend the Yamaguchi school is about a year. So, after submitting a deposit, Chris had plenty of time to decide upon the bike he would like to build: a light, classically styled tourer.

Chris already owned a custom frame by Ian Sutton of Icarus Frames (another YFBS alumnus), so he had a good idea of what a perfectly fitting bike feels like. His light tourer, however, is .5cm shorter in the top tube and 1cm shorter in the stem for a more relaxed ride.

It’s a prefect build for a cycling sojourn, there are provisions for low-rider racks front and rear, as well as fender mounts. Chris tells us there’s even braze-ons for a third water bottle under the down tube.

Chris continues: “The construction techniques used highlight the three main techniques employed by steel framebuilders — the front of the bike is fillet brazed, the seat cluster is a half-lug or bi-lam construction (half fillet and half lugged), and the bottom bracket cluster is a lug”.

“I wanted to try my hand at all three whilst under the watchful eye of Koichi and I think it turned out wonderfully — aesthetically and functionally. The bike is lively but forgiving, and riding with some beers and a sweatshirt in the Ostrich saddlebag is no problem. I’ve taken it to the beach many times already this summer and hope to be doing some short range bike camping soon”.

Bryan at Fresh Frame applied the paint on Chris’s Icarus frame and performed a similarly spectacular job on his YFBS bike, adding color and design references to both Spectrum Cycles and Merckx Corsa/Corsa Extra frames.

The superb photos of Chris’s bike are the combined efforts of both Chris and his good mate Cooper Ray, shot on location during a tramp through the forest and on the roof of Chris’s building in Brooklyn. Massive thanks to both of them (Follow Chris’s tumblr and Cooper’s tumblr for more velography).

PS: I’d like to extend a big welcome to the latest supporter of Cycle EXIF, Exquis Cycles. Based in Singapore, they provide a worldwide online shopping experience, stocking everything you need to complete your dream bike. Not only that, they can supply you with a completely custom Colossi frame — just email Exquis Cycles to order. Check them out, they’re helping to keep our wheels rolling.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

The Randonneur that Chris Bishop revealed at the 2012 NAHBS is a bright orange beauty that combines old-world elegance with modern and distinct details that secured the Baltimore builder the award for Best Lugged Construction. A worthy reward for the hours Chris spent bringing it to life.

John ‘Prolly’ Watson managed to abscond the 650b-wheeled wonder for a brief photo shoot during his coverage of this year’s event. As usual, he did a great job of capturing the plethora of details make up this highly lauded bike, including the hand-carved and thinned lugs, custom stainless front rack, lacquered bar wrap, Paul brakes and hammered Honjo fenders. Not too mention an obsolete yet extremely functional detail: a Campagnolo ‘Porta Catena’, a nifty device incorporating a switch on the down tube shifter that pushes the chain past the last gear to enable a chain-free wheel removal… Another of Tulio Campagnolo’s innovative inventions.

This is the complete vehicle for a randonée: a 200 (or more) kilometer course where riders are expected to be self-sufficient for the entire journey. Hence, there should only be a requirement for a large handlebar bag. A pump is mounted behind the seat tube, fore and aft lighting is powered by a front dynamo hub, and the component sheet is a seamless integration of Shimano Dura-Ace, Campagnolo, Suntour and TA Specialites.

Big thanks to John Watson and Chris Bishop. See more details on John’s blog, Prolly is not Probably.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

After more than 30 years in the business, it’s no wonder Chris King has a finger in a few pies. Located in Portland, Oregon – the epicenter of US cycling, Chris’s influence extends further than the name on the best hubs and headsets in the world. He began fabricating steel road racing and touring frames in 1978, and today he builds frames for Cycle Works Oregon and their brand Beloved Cycles.

‘There and Back‘ is the inspirational name of this frame, offered by Beloved Cycles and built by Chris King. It’s a robust randonneur, capable of fenders, light portage and wide tires. This regal version, resplendent in gold metal-flake paint was spotted around the Beloved area by Chris DiStefano, Marketing Director of Chris King Precision Components, who immediately had Dylan Van Weelden capture it for posterity’s sake. Dylan did a great job of capturing the details which make this such a competent machine, and the skill with which Chris wields a torch. The Beloved Cycles maxim, ‘Let Us Chase The Sun’, holds pride of place on the head badge, a positive reminder for all Portland residents.

Very special thanks to Chris DiStefano for the scoop, and Dylan Van Weelden for the photography. You can find out more information on a ‘There and Back’ frameset via the Beloved Cycles website.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

French constructeur bicycles are often imitated, but seldom replicated. Builders such as René Herse, Alex Singer and Jacques Ausécache contributed to a golden era of traveling by bike that we’re still attempting to interpret for our own generation.

Details such as those found on this frame by Jacques Ausécache, are still referenced by modern builders, albeit with modern technological improvements. Ausécache is not as well known as his contemporaries, perhaps because he was actually participating in randonées or brevets. He was instrumental in founding the Cyclotouristes Saint-Mauriens club in 1934, which still exists today with 56 members, and the club’s decal can be seen on the rear fender. This bike was built for a club member around 1947-49 and has obviously seen more than it’s fair share of touring miles. The components were top shelf in their day, the most notable being the Le Chat front derailleur, a rare item as they required permanent installation into the frame.

It would make a fine restoration project, without requiring too much to have it ready for the 2015 Paris-Brest-Paris… If it tickles your fancy, you’re in luck: it’s up for auction on eBay at the moment. Special thanks to Sasha from Pony Bikes for the tip.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.

This isn’t one of Jordan Hufnagel’s latest creations, but it’s certainly one of the most stylish. The paint scheme is reminiscent of a fine piece of Delftware, and it’s very pretty, but you can be assured it will also withstand the rigors of a long life on the road.

Jordan’s portfolio of hand crafted frames now sit very nicely together, forming a colorful and spirited collection. This fillet-brazed randonneur, built for Patrick Shank and runs on 650b wheels, whose Grand Bois tires dress the frame nicely, along with perfectly matched blue tape and Brooks saddle. Jordan has applied numerous custom touches to the frame, such as the decaleur and front rack, rear brake cable hanger and stem. The frame can run gears, but will predominantly be ridden fixed or as a single speed. Longer Tecnociclo dropouts provides for correct chain tension, and the suspended fender bridge, allows easy wheel removal and eliminates vibratory rattles. The ornate head badge, designed by one of my favorite designers – Caleb Everitt – proudly leads the bike down the road.

Jordan photographs each step of the build as a service for his customers, which you can see on his flickr set. While you’re there, have a look at what he’s been up to lately. These exceptional studio shots were taken by Jared Sourney.

Cycle EXIF supplies a daily dose of commuter bicycles, custom bicycles and classic bicycles.