One of the busiest booths at the show was Chapman Cycles. Brian Chapman has been in the business for a couple of decades, since 2011 as his own brand, and prior to that working at Circle A. The detailed lug filing and range of custom parts and accessories on his light touring bike proved irresistible for the expo crowd.
Yet although Chapman prefers to work in the classic style of the vélo randonnée, he incorporates new technologies where possible, in pursuit of his vision of the “true integrated bicycle.”
There is a certain security in working with a classic style of bike. The design has remained in demand throughout the decades, mainly because things feel right when out on the road, and of course there is the obvious aesthetic appeal that initially sparked an enduring relationship.
On the flip side, Brian is inspired by the frame builders entering the market in recent years. About the People’s Choice awards, he said, “The bikes I saw were great in terms of build quality. Some people right out of the gate seem to knock it out of the park and really connect with people. It’s exciting, because they wanted to make something different and they’ve succeeded, but it’s not always different just to be different. As long as it’s structurally sound I’m on board.”
While Chapman doesn’t delve much into new and original fundamental frame features with his own bikes he enjoys the making of things that are not normally made, like brakes and quill stems, crank sets, custom racks, low-riders. “That’s what distinguishes me,” he says. On a basically good bike, small details can make a big difference to the ride experience.
He also enjoys photographing his work, and gets some excellent product shots in his own yard. The below is a selection of Brian’s own photos of the 650B light touring bike he displayed at PBE24.
