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Convert an old steel frame to take modern equipment? I would say our customers are split 50:50 between building their renovated frames up with period components and converting them to take modern equipment but in a retro style. There is no right or wrong. Surely its better to give a neglected steel frame and new…
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Monday Morning: Dawes in the Workshop The week started with the typical Monday madness. On the docket was a sentimental project: a service for an old Dawes that hasn’t rolled in years. This bike belonged to the customer’s late father, and getting it back to its former glory is high on my list. Sometimes it’s…
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Balancing family life with framebuilding is always an interesting dance. This week began as many do – with me up at the crack of dawn (6:30 to be precise) sorting out the children. As I watched Finlay and Freya trudge off to school with expressions that suggested they were heading to their doom rather than…
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Explore how Ellis Briggs navigates the tension between classic cycling traditions and today’s gentrified scene, offering bespoke craftsmanship amidst rising costs. Discover a world where passion and history intersect with the modern cycling revolution.
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As 2024 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year that has been both challenging and transformative. Running a nearly 90-year-old family business as a one-person operation has its rewards, but it also comes with immense pressures. This past year has tested my limits, but it has also reaffirmed my deep commitment…
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Here at Ellis Briggs, we’ve always been passionate about the art of bicycle frame building. Recently, we’ve had the opportunity to take on a few special orders from customers who were left in the lurch when Mercian Cycles ceased trading. Today, we’re excited to share one of these unique projects—a neo-retro build that perfectly blends…
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A guest post by Giles Jacobs Circa 1932 As promised, here’s an account of my latest build. It was eventually imported from Italy (after over a month languishing with UK customs) and originally came from an elderly collector based in Turin, home city of its artisan frame builder Lino Beltramo. The Dolza name refers to…
