Sarah's Pocket Rocket

Sarah wanted a new light road bike to help her improve her speed and ride in more comfort.  At 5'1" Sarah had struggled to find a bike that fit, and as she had increased her milage her current bike was giving her comfort issues.   A 650c wheelset was an obvious choice for Sarah, allowing us to create a well proportioned bike with a nippy and responsive feel.  For the groupset we went for Campagnolo Chorus with a Super Record crankset, which has one of the lowest Q factors which can be an advantage for smaller riders.  Also, Campagnolo's Ergo shifters are, in my opinion, one of the comfiest for smaller hands.  For the paint design Sarah chose a stunning metallic red to match the World Bicycle Aid stem cap she had been saving for her new build, with a bright aqua to contrast it.

"Being so short I have always struggled to find a bike that fits. I would encourage anyone
of below average height to consider getting a custom frame, I know its not cheap,
but it makes such a difference to your cycling when a bike fits you.

It is a real head turner too. Someone recently told me "it was their favourite bike in all of Aberdeen”.
I feel like a proud parent, when I come out of a cafe to find other cyclists admiring the finer
details of the frame. We have covered more than 4000km together this year." - Sarah

This bespoke bicycle build: -

The Frame: - Bespoke 650c steel and stainless steel road frame.  1 1/8 head tube

Tubing: - Columbus Spirit for Lugs main triangle with Columbus XCR stainless steel chainstays (mirror polished).

Wheelset: - 650c Velocity A23 rims with Spin road hubs and Sapim race spokes.

Forks: - 650c Prolite Brescia 1 1/8 Carbon fork

Groupset and Finishing Kit: - Campagnolo Chorus 11sp Groupset, with Super Record cranks.  Bars and stem Cinelli Dinamo - custom painted, Seat post Thomson Elite, Saddle Brooks Cambium C17s, Bar Tape cinelli cork tape.

All components were selected to compliment the overall look, fit and performance or the bike.

Paint: - Custom paint work in metalic red with aqua. Name etc. all in paint, no decals.  Forks, stem and bars painted to match.

Details: - Internally routed rear brake cable.  Solid silver details hand cut and brazed onto frame - inc. head badge, seat cluster and down tube.  Seat cluster and down tube details made to mirror hand pierced bottom bracket lug ports.

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.