Bespoke (adj – \bi-‘spok, be-\), from the Merriam-Webster dictionary, meaning ‘dealing in or producing custom-made articles’. There is a bicycle frame builder in Boulder, Colorado doing just that – handcrafting some of the finest custom bicycle frames around.
Mosaic Cycles, based in Boulder, Colorado is producing custom bicycle frames with a list of options typically are not available from the larger manufacturers. Working in steel and titanium, owner and frame builder, Aaron Barcheck has been producing custom bike frames since 2009. As a former fabricator with Dean Titanium Bicycles for seven years, Aaron is building frames at or above some manufacturers that have been fabricating for decades.
As I was making my way through the booths at the Boulder Bike Swap this past weekend at the Boulder Indoor Cycling facility, I was able to see Aaron’s work firsthand and meet the builder. Having been to plenty of trade shows and swaps, it is easy to just stroll right by a booth if nothing of interest jumps out. What caught my attention was all of the different bikes with the Mosaic name that were constructed using different techniques.
TIG welding, filet brazing and lugged frames are not typically seen all together from one builder. Each process requires a slightly different skill set and finishing process adding time and money to manufacturing. After looking deeper into all of the bikes hanging on the rack and talking to Aaron, all of the options started to become evident – a BB30 bottom bracket and a tapered head tube on a titanium frame; track dropouts; powder coating and custom paint; and the list continues. More options are even listed on Mosaic Cycles website from slider dropouts to over 180 powder coating paint options through Spectrum Powder Coating. Mosaic’s use of the tagline “Handcrafted Bespoke Bicycles” is no lie – the combination of options is endless creating truly a custom frame.
With frames alone starting at $1500, this is probably not going to be your choice if this is your first bike. If you decide to head down the path of having a custom frame built, Mosaic is a builder that you should not pass over. You will be met by a friendly, knowledgeable frame builder, who seems to be willing to answer any question no matter how technical or insignificant it may seem.