g.duke Handmade Bicycles

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g.duke Handmade Bicycles is me, Geoff Duke. I make lugged steel bicycle frames one at a time by hand. I build road, track, randonneur ,fixed or cross style bikes made to measure, or custom if you prefer that term, in the time honored and traditional manner. I use Silver Brazing construction and build with Reynolds, Columbus and Dedacciai tubing. Sometimes I will use a complete tube set and sometimes a mix, depending on what is required. I can build a traditional style frame with vintage NOS (new old stock) lugs and tubing or a modern compact style frame with oversize tubing and lugs to suit. I can build forks to match or you may prefer to use a carbon fork. Currently I like both Wound Up and Columbus Minimal carbon forks and believe they both suit the style of frame I build. I also build matching lugged stems in either a painted or a polished stainless finish.

Every frame and its intended use is as different as the person who I am building it for, so some discussion regarding your needs and dreams has to takes place before any work begins.

My background is in both Toolmaking and road racing, (I never had the physique for the track).  I have spent many years doing both so I have much to draw on and have a great love for the handmade. I have made the vast majority of the tooling needed to build frames so I have a very close connection to the process. While many builders use machinery to shape their tubing before brazing takes place I prefer to use a hacksaw and file. When every frame is so different, the setup times for machinery can outweigh the time it takes me to use the file. That is not to say that I don’t use machinery at all. I have both a lathe and milling machine and use them both regularly but the use of machinery is no guarantee that the frame will be any better in the end

I can also assemble your complete bike and am willing to source parts you may want to use, including vintage parts for that retro dream.

Turnaround time is about 12 weeks on a no frills frame and fork once I start work on your frame. That may seem a lot but takes into account painting, which I send out. I also have a family and a full time job. The downside of this is, yes your frame takes a little longer. The upside is that I don’t have to make any compromises on your frame to pay the bills.

The difficult question is always cost. Given that every frame is made to order and is different, then cost also varies but if your dream is to own a hand crafted modern classic,  have a look at the pricing page and contact me on 04 0054 9567