One of the most important bikes presented at the 2011 North American Handmade Bicycle Show was this randonneur by Boston’s Geekhouse Bikes. Not just because of the incredible amount of effort that went into TIG welding the triple-triangle, S&S coupled frame, or the impressively perfect paint. This bike is significant because it was contracted by John Watson, denizen of the fixed freestyle world and editor of the blog, Prolly Is Not Probably.
Nothing out of the ordinary about that, of course. What I was most impressed about John’s decision to invest in a handmade frame was that he opted for a randonneur. While the ‘Biking Viking’ could have requested the world’s most beautiful track or fixed street frame, he’s obviously looking forward to putting in some serious miles and devoting some holidays to bicycle touring. The choice of Marty Walsh’s Geekhouse Bikes is also relevant. The Boston-based shop is renowned for its innovative and funky approach to the classic art of the handmade bicycle. Here is a randonneur that thousands of Prolly’s subscribers (predominantly a youthful, urban, active, stylish, cashed up audience with their finger on the pulse) can look at and desire. It’s high time that long-distance bicycle touring was graced with a fresh role model; kudos to John Watson and Geekhouse Bikes for (hopefully) inspiring fixed gear fans to take more of an interest in this aspect of our glorious sport.
No, there isn’t a drive-side profile shot. These shots were taken at the Geekhouse Bikes booth at Austin’s NAHBS which rendered it impossible for that essential shot. You can, however, view more details on Prolly’s flickr set, and a full spec sheet is listed on his blog. Thanks also to John for his untiring coverage of the event, for those of us unable to make it, it was the most comprehensive exposure to the incredible works of engineering on display.
