Boutique Bicycle Manufacturers – The Ultimate List (E-F)
Here is the list of the boutique* bicycle manufacturers, ordered by their name (starting with E and F). If you want to find a unique bike that fits your personality, review this list.
The list is probably not complete, so if you want to contribute, please leave a comment below.
The company was founded in 2008 by Dave Wages (Ellis is his middle name, and his great-Grandmother’s maiden name.). At the 2009 North American Handmade Bicycle Show, an Ellis 953 frame was awarded “Best Lugged Bike”. The judges honored Ellis again at the 2010 Handbuilt Show in Richmond, Virginia. This time, a Lugged 953 Ellis took home “Best of Show” award. In 2011, a randonneur was tapped as “Best Road Bike”. Again in 2012, Ellis received “Best Steel Frame” honors for this randonneur.
A complete Ellis road bike equipped with Campagnolo Super Record.
The brand is founded by Drew Guldalian, who is also designer and framebuilder. It is located in Germantown, Philadelphia, Unite States. They build Off-road (Mtb), all-road (cyclo-x), road and city-road bikes.
“Every bicycle is made one at a time for the end user and each bicycle is unique. Bicycles will utilize frame components chosen for the bicycle’s purpose and will be made from high-quality titanium. All bicycle orders include the option of a fork, stem and seatpost that will get built and painted with the frame, which completes the concept of a tailor-made bicycle.” –Drew Guldalian
Engin Road Bike. STANDARD FEATURES: TIG welded construction, rider specific tubeset, design for end user, all paint paint job (decals are painted on), 68mm internal relieved BB shell, 1 1/8″ headtube with rings when needed or wanted, tire clearance for up to 28c standard, fast back style straight stays, 2 water bottles boss sets, 4130 large window drop outs, engraved road bridge. OPTIONS: S&S couplers, straight blade steel fork, custom stem and seatpost, stainless drop-outs front and rear, internal brake cable routing, integrated seat tower, rack mounts, fender mounts with lower chain stay bridge, cantilever brakes, center pull brakes, horizontal track ends for single speed, painted to match Edge carbon fork.
The brand is founded by Rob English in 2009 and located in Eugene, Oregon, United States. English Cycles won multiple awards in North American Handbuilt Bicycle Show: Best in show (2013), Best Campagnolo Bike (1st in 2014, 2nd in 2016), Best Road Bike (2016), Best City Bike, honorable mention (2016) and Best Artisan Bike, honorable mention (2016).
English Road Bike (Brian’s bike V3 Disc). “When Brian and I initially discussed his build, we were looking at a disc brake road bike with mechanical shifting, hydraulic brakes, and clearance for 28mm tires. When the new Enve road disc fork was released and featured clearance for 30mm tires, we bumped up the rear clearance to match, and specified Schwalbe S-One tubeless tire in this width. Brian would have liked a full Shimano Dura-ace 9100 group. But unfortunately the disc parts of this group won’t be available until next spring, so we subbed in the RS685 shifters and R805 flat mount brake calipers for those parts. The headtube is a tapered unit with external Chris King cups each end for the 1-1/4″ taper fork. The new fork has internal hose routing, which we matched by sending the rear hose and gear cables through the downtube. The frame has a carbon ISP with custom adjustable cap. Brian is a graduate of Michigan State, so decided to go with a paint scheme based on their sports team colors – we came up with a nice layout which ties in with the gold headset as accent to the green and white. Colorworks did a great job as usual with the execution. Final weight complete as shown is 18lbs (8.16 kg).”
Equilibrium cycle works is a one-man operated workshop in East of Tokyo, Japan. The founder and owner of the company is Vladimir Balahovsky.
“I build all frames one by one from the scratch only by myself, I take care of every single step in the process and make sure it is as perfect as possible. I use the best frame building and brazing materials on the market, outsourced from all over the World it enables me to broaden my design options, to mix classic forms with cutting-edge technologies .” –Vladimir Balahovsky
Equilibrium E1 steel road bike, equipped with Campagnolo Super Record. “New generation of steel offers a possibility to make a truly lightweight frame with lively and responsive ride without sacrificing comfort and strength of construction. At EQ I exclusively use high-end Italian and American made steels from Columbus, True Temper, KVA stainless for their innovative design, uncompromised quality and constant pushing the limits. Working with steel allows to personalize frame material and shape/size, butt profiles to customer’s desired ride feel and intended use. Steel is good for almost any imaginable application from road racing, long touring to tail riding, commuting etc. For its multipurpose ability and strength, it won’t let you down in any road condition and unexpected situations. If properly looked after there is no reason why it can’t serve a lifetime to its owner .”
Fat Chance Bikes was founded by Chris Chance in 1977. It was one of the iconic bike brands of the 80’s and 90’s. Then Chris left the bike building business for a while, but now he’s back.
Fat Chance – Slim Chance 2.0. Handmade, designed, welded & painted in the USA using American made True Temper OX Platinum tubing. Available as a frame, ENVE 2.0 fork and Chris King headset package for $2395 (with single color paint). Classic 1-1/8” (36 mm) head tube only. Yo Road Steel fork upgrade for $150. Painted ENVE stem option for $280. Painted Silca Impero Pump option for $190. Choice of mechanical or electronic shifting (Di2 and eTap) options at no extra charge. 4 solid colors inspired some of our favorite Slim’s from the past; Blue, Pearl White, Pale Yellow and Red. 5 brand new, limited edition fade color schemes inspired by some of our favorite 90’s frames, additional $150.
Fetska is a Czech brand. They build handmade and customized carbon, titanium and steel frames and complete bikes.
“We strongly believe in a personal approach to customers whom we guide through the construction process be it online or face to face. Personalized design of each bike is an important part of the story and we pay special attention to impeccable finish. Drawing on the cycling tradition of the Czech Republic, we produce top quality hand crafted frames from carbon, titanium and steel.”
Fetska One carbon road bike. Tubes: Rocket carbon, fork: 3T Rigida PRO 1/4” 43 mm rake, headset: for 44 mm head tube (1 1/8”, 1 1/4”, 1 1/2”), bottom bracket shell: PF86 (41 mm), rear wheel axle space: 130 mm, shifting: compatible with both mechanical and electronic groups, seat post: 31.6 mm, dropouts: carbon, weight of the frame: cca 900 grams.
Firefly cycles is located in Boston, United States. It is owned by four friends. Tyler Evans: the creative force with over two decades of experience as a high-end frame builder. He has welded well over 10,000 custom frames. Jamie Medeiros: has been handcrafting high-end bicycle frames for the last 18 years. Kevin Wolfson: He was a North America as a Category 1 rcer, now in his career as a custom frame designer, Kevin has designed thousands of custom frames. Daniel Leader: the youngest of the Firefly team. His passion for cycling started at the age of six when he left home for the first time to ride to the local market for a bag of M&Ms.
Firefly Road Ti-Carbon. Standard Features: Custom mandrel-rolled carbon tubing from Enve composites, including a tapered seat tube and top tube, Proprietary Firefly carbon monostay, 1” Chainstays, Pressfit 30 BB, 44mm straight or tapered head tube, Enve tapered fork, Fully custom frame geometry and tube selection, Meticulously TIG-welded, laser-cut titanium lug construction. Optional Features: Internal Di2 or EPS routing, 135mm QR or 142x12mm thru-axle disc brake dropouts, Enve disc road fork, Integrated Seat Post, Threaded BB, 1 1/8” HT, Rack mounts, Fender mounts.
Founded by Renzo Formigli in 2014, it is is a custom Italian road bicycle frame builder, based in Florence Italy, rooted in the rich heritage of Italian frame building masters. Every unique Formigli bicycle frame is built custom for its eventual rider.
Formigli One is Formigli’s ultimate road racing bike. High modulus carbon built with Formigli tubes designed and manufactured in Florence. Fork: T 800 high modulus multi layered, uni and bi directional carbon 1/2”- 1/8”. Head Tube: Integrated conical base bottom 1/2” top 1/4”. Headset: integrated, 1” 1/4 top – 1” 1/2 bottom. Seatpost: Non integrated. Aerodynamic seatpost included with purchase. Painted to match frame, no additional charge. Carbon Dropouts. Bottom bracket: Press Fit 86.5 x 41. Di2 or EPS ready for additional cost. Prepared for both electronic and mechanical. Electronic: battery optional inside seat post. Cables: externally routed. Internal routing additional cost. Disc brake option available with modified fork.
The American brand was founded by Joshua Muir. It is located in Santa Cruz, California, United States.
“All Frances framesets are assembled with True Temper Tubing manufactured in Amory, Mississippi and fittings from Henry James Bicycles and Paragon Machine Works, both in California and made in the USA. Modern steel is light and has all the weight, flex and strength characteristics desirable in bicycle performance.” –Joshua Muir
Frances Cycles Smallhaul. The Smallhaul is the sportster of cargo hauling and the key to touring with a dog or just a lot of stuff- all placed low and right in front, within reach.
The company is located in Newbury Park, California, United States.
“We started Franco Bikes for one simple reason: to provide world class bikes with a customer experience to match. We offer a tailored process that results in your dream bike; built to order, exclusively fit to you, at an exceptional price. We’re confident your experience with us will be one that you’ll love.”
Franco Balcom S Campagnolo Record build. Frame and fork: Balcom S. Headset: FSA CFA42. Group: Campagnolo Record. Wheels: Campagnolo Zonda. Tires: Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX. Saddle: Regale Racing. Seatpost: FSA K-Force Light. Stem: FSA OS-99 CSI. Handlebars: FSA K-Force Compact.
* According to the Wikipedia, “boutique manufacturing is a method used for the custom production of certain products in limited quantities by hand or with a restricted level of automation.”. (Boutique manufacturing on Wikipedia)
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