For the record, Swood Cycles are in fact made from steel, not wood. The name comes from a combination of owner Stephen Wood’s first and last names. He explains, “When I worked at a bike shop I signed all my work orders as S.Wood and eventually everyone just started calling me Swood.”
Wood began operations in 2019 in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia, known for its network of urban MTB trails along the James River and for hosting the 2015 World Road Cycling Championships. “I have three trail heads within 2 miles of my shop. So I really just love riding around town. The trails are almost as abundant as the breweries!,” he says.
Swood produces frames for road, gravel/cyclocross and commuter/city in addition to MTBs, from fillet-brazed steel. But it’s a less glamorous and more utilitarian fabrication that has helped Wood make a name for himself, as he explains:
“Recently my T-Rack bag-support/standoff has blown up since it was reviewed on Path Less Pedaled. It is a ‘rack’ that mounts as a 20mm stem spacer, stabilizing handlebar bags and keeping them from rubbing on your headtube”
Previously a software engineer, Wood became a framebuilder as many do: with the encouragement and advice of a friend. “I built one frame in 2013 under the eye of a friend who at one time ran a small framebuilding business. I’ve been self taught since then.”
The first year Philly Bike Expo exhibitor sees himself making frames not only better, but more efficiently down the road. “Since I’m so new, I’ve really enjoyed seeing improvements in my work. Not only in the quality but the efficiency of my process as well.”
More info: https://swoodcycles.bigcartel.com/
