Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Ahearne 650b MTB

Ahearne 650b MTB

There are custom mountain bikes and then there are custom mountain bikes. Then there’s custom 650b mountain bikes with double chain stays, 5-piece seat stays, fillet brazes and internal cable routing down the fork legs as well as the top tube. One thing is certain; Joseph Ahearne is not only a keeper of the handmade bicycle flame, he’s intent on keeping it blazing brightly.

Joseph is very proud of both his Irish and bike-building heritage. Fair enough, too. His appreciation of whiskey inspired him to create the Spaceman Bicycle Flask Holster, which is now seen on the down tube of many discerning cyclists worldwide. The popularity of that Holster raised awareness of the Ahearne name as a talented and innovative builder. His portfolio continues to expand with challenging layouts that only the bravest welders would attempt.

This 650b mountain bike particularly stood out. Double chain stays that seem to be an Ahearne signature are tipped by Paragon slider dropouts. The seat stays are constructed from five separate tubes and, when combined, are referred to mysteriously as a ‘St Johns’ style configuration. That triangle is one of the most graceful and refined rear ends I’ve laid eyes on for a while.

Internal cable routing through the fork leg for the front disc brake is another aspect of Joseph’s designs that I haven’t come across before, on an MTB at least. It’s one way of ridding a frame of cable ties and guides, and keeps the cable out of harm’s way. Especially carousing around Californian single trail, where this Ahearne is destined. Have a look in closer detail of the Ahearne 650b MTB on Joseph’s Flickr.

Ahearne 650b MTB
Ahearne 650b MTB
Ahearne 650b MTB
Ahearne 650b MTB
Ahearne 650b MTB
Ahearne 650b MTB