This is a bit of a special project.  Cycling photographer Camille McMillan contacted me as he needed a bike that could carry him and all his photography equipment off road around his home in the Pyrenees.  To cope with a multitude of ground conditions, year round, and not rattle Camille's precious cameras to a pulp, this bike needed to be FAT, or at least a little porky.  Neither Camille nor myself like the more usual fat bike aesthetic, so the challenge was to design a bike with the performance of a semi fat hauler, and the clean lines of a mid century French porteur. 

We chose a Reynolds 931 stainless steel tubeset for its high strengh, corrosion resistance and beauty when polished, and WTB semifat tyres to give the 'float' needed for the precious cargo.  By bringing the seat stays forward into a triple triangle, and using the new Boost 148x12 through rear axle, I was able to clear the huge tyres, and still keep the the stays straight.  This combined with a horizontal top tube, swept back bars and a custom porteur rack, makes for a classic look with a cheeky twist!  Throughout the bike I have created unique handmade asymmetric details inspired by the contours from the maps of Camille's home.  Such as the stainless steel triple plate fork crown, seat stay bridge and bi-laminate seat lug.  Finished off with Hartley Cycles hand cut solid silver headbadge and frame details.  

I'm very pleased to say that The Demi Porkeur, shown for the first time at Bespoked UKHBS, won the prize for the Best Utility Bike!

Frame and forks: - Bespoke stainless steel rigid off road frame.  Fillet brazed using silver.  1 1/8 head tube.  Fully custom features inc. handmade stainless steel bridge, handmade stainless steel triple plate fork crown, bi-laminate asymmetrical seat lug, hand carved seat stay top eyes, handmade stem.  Bespoke handmade stainless steel porteur rack.  Paragon Machine Works yoke, internal cable routing for brakes, gears and dynamo lights.

Tubing: - Reynolds 931 stainless steel frame with Reynolds 853 disc fork blades.

Wheelset: - WTB Scraper 50mm rims with WTB 27.5+ (650B+) Trailblazer tubeless tyres.  Son 28 135mm disc hub (front) and Hope Pro II Evo Boost 148x12 (rear).  Sapim Race Spokes.  Wheels handbuilt by The Wheelist.

Finishing kit: -  Saddle Brooks Cambium C15, Bar Tape Michaux Club in black leather, Bars and seatpost Nitto, Son Edelux II dynamo lights

All components were selected to compliment the overall style and 'Porkeur' concept, with performance being an equal consideration.

Paint: - Custom inhouse spray paint work in metallic turquoise, orange, pale and dark blue base coat with clear 2K lacquer. Name etc. all in paint, no decals.  Forks, stem painted to match.

Details: - Solid silver details hand cut and brazed onto frame - inc. head badge, seat cluster and seat stay ends.  Seat cluster details made to mirror asymmetric fork crown and bridge.

Image Credit: Sebastien Klein

All Hartley Cycles custom frame builds and bespoke bicycles are handmade in London with great care and attention by frame builder Caren Hartley.