It all started when...

Eilidh approached VELOW looking for a unique bike for riding around Glasgow and taking her on adventures beyond the city. However, the one condition was that Eilidh wanted to get fully hands-on and help build her own bike. Hence VELOW's Build Your Own Bike service was born. 

The Frame

Eilidh chose a classic Reynolds 531 frame, a Saracen that was in good condition but desperately in need of a repaint; in VELOW Yellow naturally. An appropriate choice for the first VELOW BYOB build. 

Eilidh chose a day to come to the workshop and was involved right from the start. Once the frame was prepped we got down to the picking of components and building the bike. 

THE Process

The major benefit of BYOB is that the customer is able to have a say in all aspects of the process, working out what they need and want as the bike build evolves. It also allows me to teach some basics of bike mechanics - valuable skills for anyone who rides a bike. On this occasion Eilidh was able to add a pannier rack as well as hand-pick the gearing and finishing kit. 

The Finished Bike

The entire process took an afternoon, with plenty of tea breaks and time taken on each aspect of the build. I believe Eilidh learned a few new skills and came away with a bike that she can proudly say she build herself. I also learned loads and will now be taking bookings from anyone else interested in being involved in the process of building their own bikes.