This week’s cover story at Bespoked Dresden 2026 turns our attention to the cruiser: the comfortable, characterful machines built for short hops to the café but also for long rides to the other side of the world. Let’s get into it!
Quokka Cycles Pilgrim
Detailed Parts List
Frameset
Quokka Cycles Pilgrim
Groupset Shimano XTR
Crank
White Industries
Seatpost and Saddle
SimWorks Froggy post, and Berthoud Cycles
Stem and Handlebar
SimWorks Rhonda stem and GetAround handlebars
Wheels
Velocity Cliffhangers and Tune Hubs
This is Brivael’s latest addition to the Quokka lineup, with this special travel version. A personal project that had been quietly developing in his mind since late 2025. It was originally intended for a trip to Japan, but when that plan did not happen, he decided to build the bike anyway, because it was simply too good of an idea to leave on paper.
This is a bike for commuting, weekends away, and longer, slower journeys: something easy-going and enjoyable that can still take a detour down a rough track when in the mood. It clears 45 mm tires, which is more than enough volume to make unpaved roads and light off-road riding properly comfortable.
A big part of the concept is its travel-friendly construction. Paragon Z couplers on the down tube and a custom joint at the top of the seat tube allow the frame to come apart in roughly three minutes, making it much easier to transport. As always with a Quokka creation, you’ll find extensive details, including the fork, that has been revised specifically for this model, taking inspiration from some NJS bikes, while the custom rack was designed around the luggage setup.
At around 10 kg fully built with the rack and bags, it is a very light little travel bike for something that has zero carbon on it. More importantly, it is the kind of personal machine that exists because Brivael wanted to get back to the simple pleasure of riding, whether that eventually happens in Japan or much closer to home. The Pilgrim will eventually be available with and without a coupler version, so keep an eye out.
Cycles Manivelle Custom Daily
Frameset
Cycles Manivelle Custom Daily
Groupset Custom vintage Shimano rear derailleur
Crank
White Industries
Seatpost and Saddle
SimWorks Beatnik and Brooks B17
Stem and Handlebar
SimWorks Rhonda stem and Fun3 handlebars
Wheels
SimWorks Standalone laced to White Industries rear hub and Son front hub
What do you want from a daily? What about making commuting fun, with is a neo-retro 650B machine with plenty of tire volume and a mandatory front basket?
The build from Manivelle is full of very satisfying old-meets-new choices. White Industries cranks, bottom bracket, headset, and rear hub, paired with a SON dynamo hub up front. The drivetrain uses a beautifully preserved 1980s Shimano rear derailleur, fitted with little blue pulley wheels that also match the White Industries parts perfectly. And we’ll give a special mention for the color coordinated Sim Works bottle.
The thum shifter was a Sturmey-Archer unit that happened to be lying around and then was modified to run in friction mode for the nine-speed setup. Not the obvious choice, but it gives the bike exactly the right retro feel. Add Hope Tech 3 brakes for the neo part, a Brooks saddle, and you get a wonderfully practical commuter that manages to look new but also like it was always around.
Norka Bizi “Negu”
Frameset
Norka Bizi “Negu”
Groupset
Shimano XTR
Crank
White Industries
Seatpost and Saddle
VO Grand Cru post, and Brooks C17 saddle
Stem and Handlebar
Custom stem and Ritchey flatbar
Wheels
Velocity Blunt SS with front Dynamo front hub and Hope Pro 5 rear
This is a wonderfully personal project from Norbert, based in Bilbao, Spain. The original concept was to look at the brands already represented in the shop (Ciclos La Ferro) and ask, what is missing? The answer was a modern mountain bike with all the right technical features but dressed in the proportions and elegance of a classic Spanish frame.
The result is called Negu, named after the German Shepherd who once lived in the workshop. She passed away two years ago, but her presence is carried through the whole bike. The lug shapes reference the dog’s ears when seen in profile, while the black and grey paint follows the colors of a German Shepherd’s coat. It is a beautiful tribute, and one that only becomes clearer the longer you look at the details.
Technically, it is very current: Boost axle spacing, room for 2.4-inch tires, dynamo lighting with hidden wiring, and properly modern geometry with a 70.5-degree head angle and 73-degree seat angle. But, and that’s where Norbert did a miracle in my opinion, the slim tubing selection, horizontal top tube, and custom-made dropouts keep it from looking like another generic modern mountain bike. Norbert deliberately avoided oversized “carbon imitation” dropout shapes, using 5 mm steel plates that are more than strong enough while looking far cleaner.
The details are everywhere: made-in-house brake mounts, inverted seatstay bridge as part of Norbert’s signature, and even the standard fork crown was reshaped to match the German Shepherd-inspired lug design. There is also a custom rack angled at 90 degrees, designed to work with a large handlebar bag such as an Ultraromance-style setup. A modern mountain bike in every practical sense, but one built around memory, local craft, and a little dog-shaped magic.
Michael’s Custom Drust Cycles 26”+
Frameset Custom Drust Cycles 26”+
Groupset
Shimano SLX 12s
Crank
White Industries
Seatpost and Saddle
BikeYoke dropper post, Brooks C17
Stem and Handlebar
Custom Drust Stem, Pro Taper riserbar
Wheels
Velocity Blunt with front SON dynamo hub
Michael’s bike began life as a bunch of ideas: first a flat-bar touring bike, then a 24-inch cargo bike, and eventually this very specific, very brilliant all-in-one machine. He compares the design process to the episode of The Simpsons where Homer builds a car, which feels completely accurate. Every idea went in, and somehow it came out looking better for it.
Konstantin from Drust Cycles helped turn that long list of needs into something coherent: a bike that can handle Berlin winters, carry groceries, ride through town, take a small dog when needed, and still be a little rowdy on the right trail. The 26 × 2.8” tires are there for a whole lot of fun, comfort, and winter grip, while the cargo capacity keeps it useful every other day of the year.
The folding mechanism is perhaps the best part. Because yes, there is no urgent practical reason for it, and Michael is completely honest about that. He just likes knowing it is there. A very particular kind of satisfaction, but I completely understand the feeling of having something overkill and using only 50% of it.
A commuter, cargo bike, dog carrier, winter rig, and light mountain bike all at once. Exactly what happens when you refuse to decide which bike you need.
💾 : Leica SL
📍: Dresden
