Stolen Garage: The Full Cycling Spectrum
In a previous post about the Love Letter Turbo release party, I mentioned that most of the event was kindly hosted by Stolen Garage, just outside of Paris. As it was also my first time visiting Stolen’s “definitive” space, I got really curious and was eager to know pretty much everything about how this place works. So I grabbed my camera, put on my little reporter hat and got there on an early Saturday morning to get some shots and ask some questions.
Starting with the first area you'll see going through the front door: Picture a nice and modern coworking space surrounded with beautiful bikes, accessories, cycling essentials, but also, everything you’ll need for a tasty brunch.
The coffee is good, the matcha as well, and the staff is absolutely lovely. When hunger hits, there's a wide range of snacks for you: sandwiches, pastries, cookies, even vegan options… It’s almost like cyclists would have thought about what you’d crave after a ride…
And if you've got a furry friend joining you on this journey, no worries! This is a pet-friendly place for our four-legged pals!
The back the windows gives a peek into a unique world that sets it apart from your average coffee shop or bike hangout. Sure, if Stolen was just a bike cafe, it'd still be pretty cool, but calling it that sells its vibe short. It’s not that often that you can drink your morning brew while looking at professional frame builders doing the lord’s work. It’s like a thoughtfully blended mix of casual “every day coffee” and cycling maniacs, yet it almost feels like the laid-back vibe encourages all types of people to mingle, chat and exchange.
Because if you want to get a fully custom bike from Stolen… It will be FULLY custom. Not only parts or some anodized goods, Stolen is, at its core, a frame-building powerhouse, putting hearts and souls into crafting some of the best bikes coming out of the French frame-building scene.
Most of them coming from bike-polo (some at a very high level), they have that extra knowledge about designing and building frames that will probably outlive you.
There is no other way than “brilliant” to describe their concept. I sat down, enjoying some coffee, while looking at someone welding a fork, sanding a rear bridge, or finishing some paint job. Yes, they have the luxury of an in-house painting booth, but it’s their unrelenting commitment to keeping every process under their roof that, I think, set them apart.
Finally, during my morning discussing and getting curious about every corner of this place, here is probably the best thing I’ve heard from one of the member at Stolen Garage.
We will literally try to fix anything that comes through that door. We produce expensive, fully custom hand made frames. But everyone who walks in – whether they need something top of the line or a simple tire fix – is an important part of our cycling family. We treat everyone equally, and we’ll be happy to find a solution for every cycling problem thrown at us. we just want to cover the full spectrum of “riding a bike” no-matter the type, cost, or any other factor. Cycling people, are our people.
Much love to the entire Stolen Garage team: Barista, Mechanic, Frame-builder and all the others. Your project is setting an example that many should follow, rather than pushing cycling towards elitism and gatekeeping.
In short, a Stolen Garage is more than just a ride; it's a piece of history in the making.
If you’re around Paris, definitely check out their place or look at everything they do on their Instagram ➡️ @stolengarage
I’d have coffee here every day if I could.
🎞: Kodak Color Plus 200
📷: Leica M6
📍: Stolen Garage
