Bespoked UK 2026 Dispatch #05: Special Minivelo!
TJD Bikes Full Suspension BMX
Here it is! One of my favorite bikes of this show: a full suspension BMX built by Ted James of TJD Bikes. This concept of a BMX that you would take out on downhill trails has been gaining a cult following, and I can safely say that I am one of them. Designed with a custom geometry that is longer and slacker than a standard BMX to handle higher speeds, bigger jumps, and everything you’ll throw at it on bike trails.
The build itself is a rugged mix of parts, many carried over from the rider’s previous rig, but you’ll find a Manitou suspension fork up front, paired with an S&M Credence handlebar and a Stranger stem. The drivetrain is a simple but reliable mix with some BSD crankset spinning in a United bottom bracket, while the seating comes courtesy of a pivotal camo saddle on a WeThePeople post.
You’ll also find a Profile hub laced to a Crucial rim up front, with an Eclat rear wheel, both wrapped in chunky 2.6-inch Kenda Sport tires. Complete with a camo S&M top tube pad, it’s a setup built that I personally would LOVE to take into the woods!
Craig’s Custom Apocalypse Build
This wild build comes from Craig, the creator behind the YouTube channel 2ND Life Bikes. He originally built this bike a few years ago, but after lending it out to friends and seeing it get thoroughly trashed, he brought it back for redemption at this year's apocalypse build-off. After bringing a bike that couldn't turn left to last year's event in Manchester, Craig wanted something nimble and fun to ride, opting for 20-inch wheels and dialed steering. A massive step forward!
The parts bin special drivetrain features a Shimano Deore XT derailleur paired with whatever large chainring he had lying around to get the gearing right. A standout detail is the discontinued, old-school tan wall Schwalbe Billy Bonkers tires, which are comically more sun-bleached on one side than the other.
on this bike you’ll also find a Blank BMX stem and a Brooks saddle, and some Swift Industries bags. The icing on the cake is a custom pizza bag, which was sent to him completely out of the blue by the owner of “Sonny’s” in Paris.
Pashley Cycles Skyline Limited Edition
This is the Skyline Fixie, a limited edition mini-velo from Pashley Cycles built especially for the Bespoked show! The Skyline range normally comes in urban flat bar or drop bar, with classic silver-finished versions. But this particular build is something completely unique, and I wish I could have tried it! Of course, because we’re talking about Pashley, the Skyline is built from Reynolds 725 tubing, fillet-brazed by Pashley themselves.
Because it runs on 20-inch wheels, the gearing has to be massive to compensate, so it's running a 56-tooth aero (to save those extra watts) chainring crank paired with a 15-tooth cog. Inspired by a 90s Nintendo Game Boy, the paint job combined with a strong BMX influence makes this build very hard to resist.
Even if it’s a fixed gear, you’ll find a Hope front disc brake, some Fairdale bars, a Pro PLT seatpost, and a Brooks Cambium C15 saddle. And a special shoutout to the custom front rack built by Pashley that attaches directly to the head tube, which allows the bike for some sick bar spins.
Edward’s Custom Apocalypse Brompton
This is a totally unique, Brompton-based project by Edward, who was inspired by the last year’s Apocalypse build-off. The rear triangle was scavenged from an old Muddy Fox mountain bike frame, picked up from a pile left over after a bike jumble. Amazingly, it fit perfectly with the Brompton's geometry, and while this part sounds easy, Edward entirely hand-brazed this rear triangle using only a blowtorch in his flat.
Despite the DIY construction, it is fully proven, having already been tested on the brutal cobbles of the Paris-Roubaix. And because you never know when you’ll need extra plastic spacers, a custom-built 3D printer has been mounted on the front. And while it wasn't running on the day, the dream is to eventually have it printing parts on the move. What a life!
🎫: Bespoked UK 2026
💾: Leica SL
📍: Peckham
