We’re excited to introduce the SRAM x BESPOKED Inclusivity Scholars 2024, who will be displaying their work at BESPOKED Dresden 2024. This scholarship isn’t just an accolade; it’s a testament to the values of inclusivity, community, and craftsmanship that are at the core of the show. These scholars come from diverse backgrounds, each bringing their unique stories and skills to the world of frame building.
A big thank you to SRAM for their ongoing support of the framebuilding community. Their dedication to providing a platform for those who often go unseen is what makes this scholarship so special. We’re looking forward to seeing these talented builders share their builds at BESPOKED Dresden 2024, 18-20th October.
Meet the builders (in alphabetical order!)...
Good Grief
"Good Grief is a custom bicycle framebuilding company based in the mountains of the occupied homeland and unceded historic territory of the Nuuchiu (or Ute) people, also known as Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.
We design and hand build custom bicycles from track to tandem, MTB to mosey-around town, gravel to grocery getter... or whatever bike you want. We're 100% indigenous owned, designed and fabricated, and love making bikes that don't always conform to the norm.
Framebuilder and owner Christopher Schmidt comes from a background of 15+ years in the cycling industry and trained under master framebuilder Koichi Yamaguchi in 2011. He has worked with elite international and USA Cycling team athletes during his time at the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and has served as National Team Mechanic for numerous world championships, world cups, and PanAm Games. He (along with shop dog Eddie Merckx) does it all - from custom frame, fork and stem fab to made-to-measure racks, to packing your order up and answering emails... and of course, getting zoomies out back when lying on the shop floor gets too boring."
King Fabrications
"I started King Fabrications to build race bikes with handling characteristics and durability not typically found in the bicycles produced by the mainstream bike industry. My guiding principles were to make bicycle frames based around what and how I personally like to ride. Coming from a racing background, I really enjoy refining geometry and frame characteristics to build a fast, stable and predictable platform for pushing the bike to its limit.
Fixed gear culture in the San Francisco Bay Area is very vibrant, active and community focused. My own cycling foundation has deep roots in this community. Currently, I build a lot of track and tracklocross (fixed gear cyclocross) bikes. But since becoming a gravel racer, I have turned my sights to gravel racing and exploration machines. Gravel bikes offer the freedom to ride door to door without having to drive to a trailhead, and this is something I absolutely love as I strive to do most of my riding without the involvement of a car. Gravel bikes are suited to on and off road riding, meaning you can leave your car in the driveway.
Growing up I always knew I wanted to build things with my hands, and when I discovered welding, it gave me the skill and tools to be able to fabricate whatever my mind could dream up. Combining the desire to work with my hands and my passion for cycling, framebuilding was the obvious next step. The gratification and satisfaction I get from building someone their next beloved bike is unmatched, and there is almost nothing I would rather do for someone. As cyclists we have very unique relationships with our bikes, being a part of that journey to help build that relationship is incredibly special. I now build frames for friends and customers alike, and am excited to continue innovating and exploring new ways to develop bicycles that are unique and designed to bring joy to every rider."
Memento
"I got the idea to start Memento Cycles back in 2021 during one of my shift as a bike messenger. I loved riding cargo bikes so much, that I wanted one myself. But the options were pricey, and from outside the country. That's when I thought "maybe we could build some here". Naturally, I called my long-term bestfriend Ronny to tell him about it and ask if he wanted to join and we've been on this adventure since then.
Building cargo bikes was quite a complicated first goal, so we used our bike messenger background to come up with our first product, a lightweight front rack that can do it all. We then started making regular frames, then cargo forks, and we finally made our first full size cargo bike in December 2023.
Being a trans woman in the cycling industry, it is such an important thing for me, to be able to give a good representation to others. That's what was lacking for me when growing up, someone trans I could look up to, to see that it is totally valid and possible to live your life as yourself. Being able to give others what I missed means the world to me.
We love making all types of frames, and making them stand out. All of the bikes we make are 1 of 1, totally unique, just like their riders. It is such a great way to express our artistic side.
Ronny and I have been the best team for more than 15 years, before starting this journey. I wouldn't be able to do it without him. It has been a 2 person operation all along, and we were starting to get buried under too much work and a long wait list. So just recently, we added a new member to our team, Aube, another trans woman and we moved into a bigger shop space. We are now, probably?, the first ever framebuilding company with two trans women. It's nice to show such an inclusive image to the cycling industry."
Significant Other Bikes
"For the last several years, Ashley has been a fabricator at a handful of steel and titanium bike manufacturers along the front range of Colorado. In 2023, she created her brand, Significant Other Bikes, as a space for her to explore what she'd been learning by experimenting and playing with bicycle design. In May of this year, she shifted into this space full time and now produces her work at her shop in Denver, Colorado."
We'll have in depth coverage of each of the SRAM x BESPOKED scholars in the run up to the show, so sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of the website for up to date information straight to your email.
Don’t forget—October 18-20, 2024, is when BESPOKED takes over Dresden International Airport, and it’s shaping up to be our best show yet. With over 130 of the world’s top handmade bicycle, accessory, and component makers, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Grab your advance tickets now here at a reduced price to secure your spot and avoid any last-minute disappointment.
