Pedalers Fork in Calabasas, in Los Angeles County, is a bike shop, cafe and restaurant that looks like a damn nice place to hang out. It would help, but is not completely necessary, to be passionate about bikes and cycling to enjoy the ambience. The owner, Robbie Schaeffer, took a liking an English Cycles 29er at the Denver NAHBS in 2013, and ended up with this candied beauty.
Rob English took the design and features of his own 29er and expanded upon them: the rigid fork was replaced by a carbon Lefty fork, which is reminiscent of the hugely popular English Cycles Project: Right bike from 2012, which had not only a single-sided fork but a single-sided frame also, with a belt drive mounted on the outside of it — all decorated with original artwork by Geoff McFetridge.
Like the inspirational original, the top tube lines on the new 29er run in a gentle curve from stem to rear axle, but English substituted the twin top tubes with an ovalised and curved section, increasing strength and rigidity. The seat stays share the same profile; additionally, they curve outward as well as down, to provide the required tyre clearance.
The seat tube is arched too, so that the rear wheel can be tucked right under the seat. 17″ S-bend chain stays improves chainring and heel clearance, both culminating in a Syntace X-12 thru-axle and direct mount derailleur hanger. Rob English does wonders with Di2: The XTR battery is hidden inside the fork steerer, with cabling and hoses safely hidden from view.
Chris King Sour Apple hubs were laced to an ENVE 60 Forty wheelset with matching logos. The blue and green theme was applied to the frame, fork and stem by the team at Colorworks Bike Painting in Eugene, Oregon. It’ll be a blast to ride around the LA hills, and is sure to be a constant source of discussion amongst the Calabasas cycling cognoscenti.
Special thanks to Tina Buescher for the excellent photography.
English Cycles Website | Facebook
