Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Salt Air Cycles x SNEK Cycling CX

Salt Air Cycles x SNEK Cycling CX

While Salt Lake City hosts many cyclists and cycling brands – hand-crafters of cycling products are few. Together, Matt Nelson of Salt Air Cycles and Jonny Hintze of Snek Cycling brought their finest work to a joint bike build that showcases each of their styles and careful attention to design details in this beautiful gravel/cyclocross bike.

Salt Air Cycles x SNEK Cycling CX

Matt tells us: “As I recall, I met Jonny in the days leading up to the 2017 North American Handmade Bicycle Show. The Show was being hosted in Salt Lake City, our home turf, and I had entered one of my customer’s bikes in the ENVE ‘Builder of the Year’ contest. I told him a bit about the bike and left off that we should stay in touch.

Salt Air Cycles x SNEK Cycling CX

“Weeks later,” he continues, “I met up with Jonny and he introduced me to the Snek brand he had started. I was excited to see another ‘hand-made’ cycling brand in my region and was eager to brainstorm some brand partnering between SaltAir and Snek.

Salt Air Cycles x SNEK Cycling CX

“Initially, Jonny’s background in graphic design with a keen eye for a ‘clean/modern’ cycling culture aesthetic, led us to collaborate on a kit design that summer. When he later brought up the idea of Snek and SaltAir CX bike, I was definitely on board.”

Salt Air Cycles x SNEK Cycling CX

Snek’s Jonny Hintze takes up the story: “I wanted a bike I could race CX on but with enough clearance for higher volume tires for longer gravel rides. After talking with Matt about the bike, I knew Salt Air cycles was the perfect fit. Not only was Matt local — making his products in the same town — but the first frames he built were CX frames.

Salt Air Cycles x SNEK Cycling CX

“While Matt hashed out the geometry and details of the frame, I got busy designing the paint scheme. It’s not every day that you get to do a custom paint job on a bike for yourself. I knew it had to be something special. I wanted to do something classy.

Salt Air Cycles x SNEK Cycling CX

“After numerous concepts, I came up with a design and color scheme that walked the line of traditional and modern. I chose a classic chevron stripe layout and a few earth tone colors, then added the bright red accent stripe to give it a modern pop of color.

Salt Air Cycles x SNEK Cycling CX

Jonny says, “To help keep things on the traditional side, I chose classic silver Chris King parts and WTB tan wall tires. The build was finished with a modified Ultegra group for a 1x setup with low gearing. A full ENVE wheelset, fork, and cockpit, make it as comfortable as possible.”

Salt Air Cycles x SNEK Cycling CX

“It has been great partnering with Matt to promote our brands. We’ve coined the term Salt Lake City Handbuilt since our products are both made here in Salt Lake City, Utah. What’s been even better is working on this collaboration bike with him,” stated Hintze.

SaltAir Cycles Website | Facebook | Flickr

Salt Air Cycles x SNEK Cycling CX