There’s nothing like the overhanging gloom of a pandemic to inspire a sense of wanderlust, even if international travel is off the cards. This new Killenbike tourer is doing nothing but adding fuel to the fire.
Rock-solid, modern performance wrapped up in a classically-inspired coat is right up our alley. Luckily Matt appreciates a similar aesthetic and that’s how he briefed Sydney frame builder Sean Killen.
This is actually the third custom Killenbike to become a member of Matt’s extended family: both his brother-in-law and sister-in-law are proud Killenbike owners, which helped the decision to contract Sean’s services just that little bit easier.
Matt loves the look of older-style bikes but wanted the improved performance of newer components and realised his ideal bike wasn’t going to be found on a peg at the shop. At this point, his brother-and-sister-in-law both collected their own custom bikes.
Being of similar stature to his brother-in-law, Matt was allowed to take the new bike for a ride and in the first 100 metres, he was hooked, falling in love with both the playful and aggressive nature and how naturally comfortable it felt to ride.
Sean produced a bike for Matt that married a traditional look with modern geometry and clearances for 2.1″ tyres. Both the chainstays and the front end trail are quite short, resulting in a responsive road sense even while carrying a full load.
Paul Components’ Neo-Retro cantilever brakes apparently have a reputation for ‘spreading’ frames due to their strength, which Sean counteracted by fabricating a bridge from two half-moons, doubling the connection points and material mass.
A custom stem was also created with an integrated canti cable hanger. Matt’s 30th birthday present from his wife was the magnificent green Brooks England B17 Titanium saddle, and his parents presented him with the Giles Berthoud handlebar bag.
Matt reckons it’s pretty nice to be reminded of his family when he’s riding through the middle of nowhere and, frankly, we wouldn’t mind being stuck out there ourselves. Here’s looking forward to the freedom to ride our bikes anywhere we’d like.
