Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Fikas Bikes 29er

Fikas Cycles 29er

Riding road bikes on gravel roads is all very well, but if you’ve been thinking it’s time to get serious, perhaps it’s time to ride something a little more purpose built. Luke Laffan of Australia’s Fikas Bikes just completed this 29er mountain bike frame for a freshman dirt rider — who is already competing in 24-hour endurance races.

These days, a custom mountain bike frame can easily be factored into any budget, especially as Shimano and SRAM have made quality components so accessible. The benefits are equal to that of a custom road bike — more so, as there are far more different styles of MTB as road: Fat bike, 29er, hardtail, duallie, trail tourer, 650b, 26er, 3″ 29+… There’s a bike for every terrain.

Luke built this 29er for a local who has only been cycling off-road for the past year, but has already performed impressively as a solo rider in the Scott 24Hr race, on a borrowed bike. Built from True Temper tubes with a head tube, bottom bracket shell and dropouts from Paragon Machine Works, it’s a maiden voyager that will bear him well over the forthcoming enduro season.

See more of Luke’s work on the Fikas Bikes website.

Fikas Cycles 29er
Fikas Cycles 29er
Fikas Cycles 29er
Fikas Cycles 29er