Swallow Bespoke Bicycles

16/05/2023

Here’s Pete collecting his beautiful Swallow bespoke bike last week. The frame was handmade by Rob, from Reynolds 853 tubing. The DT Swiss / Hope wheels were hand built in house. It’s finished off with a Shimano 105 groupset, Brooks B17 saddle, and looks resplendent in Aston Martin blue!

25/01/2023

We were recently contacted by Carla, Pete built her bike back in 1991, while based in Essex. Since then it’s been to various corners of the earth! “I absolutely love the bike, it’s so comfortable. I’m now on an extended global tour - 31 years after the bike was built! Currently I’m in Mexico heading to Patagonia … then hopefully Africa and back to Europe and then East
back to New Zealand where I now live. … 12,500kms this trip so far”.
Proof (if needed) that a well built, and well sized bike, will give you a lifetime of pleasure and adventures! Thanks Carla, keep it up!

18/12/2022

Bill collected his beautiful Swallow bespoke bike last week. The frame was handmade by Rob Wade, from Reynolds 953 stainless tubing. We think the build is perfectly complimented by its silver Campagnolo groupset, and tan wall tyres.. A classic look!

08/12/2022

Here’s a picture of our Mark (our tallest mechanic!), test riding the largest Swallow frame that Pete ever made.. It has a whopping 46cm head tube! It was made a few years ago, and is back in for a bit of TLC. A very interesting bike.. with its not so common Schlumpf bottom bracket gear change system, and Gates belt drive.

07/07/2022

The new issue of Cyclist magazine features a nice article on Bicycles By Design, and in particular our Ironbridge line of handmade bikes and frames. Available online, and from all good newsagents! https://cyclistmag.co.uk

15/06/2022

A interesting BBC news article from 2013, featuring our very own Pete Bird. The prices may have changed, but the ethos hasn’t..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22160187.amp

Sales of bikes in the UK are up. But not everyone is content with buying a mass-produced bicycle. Some are looking for something different, which is helping the revival of the craft of bike building.

12/04/2022

We’ve recently unearthed an old Swallow catalogue, from way back in 1983 when we were based in Essex. Fascinating to see, and will you just look at those prices!

13/03/2022

Another bespoke handmade Swallow flew the nest this week.. Its new owner David was quite literally speechless when he came to collect it! It’s a stunning build - Stainless Swallow frame (Columbus XCr tubing), handmade by Rob, garnered with a Campagnolo Chorus groupset, and a set of our hand built wheels. We think the colour really suits it too!

20/10/2021

Many thanks to everyone who came to see us at Bespoked UKHBS it was great to meet both old and new friends. Bespoked UKHBS

15/10/2021

Getting set up for Bespoked UKHBS swing by the show in Harrogate over the weekend and say hi.