Everything Under One Roof
Sturdy Cycles began with a straightforward goal: to design and build the best bikes I'm capable of making. What started as a one-person operation has grown to a two-person team, but the philosophy remains unchanged:
complete control from initial design to finished product.
I've always aimed to do everything in one place. What can be done here in our increasingly capable Frome workshop, is—from initial design through to final finishing.
We've been building award-winning made-to-measure titanium frames since 2014, and every bike we've made has taught us something about what riders need and how to manufacture it properly. That knowledge is built into everything we produce.
Honest Engineering
We believe in transparent engineering decisions. Our approach is straightforward: we design what we can build exceptionally well. Rather than chasing spec sheet supremacy, we focus on components that perform beautifully and can be manufactured to the standards we demand.
This means making deliberate choices about materials, construction methods, and design complexity. Sometimes those choices involve trade-offs—prioritising stiffness over absolute minimum weight, or manufacturability over marketing claims. We're honest about these decisions because riders deserve to understand what they're buying and why we've made the choices we have.
We're not trying to win every specification comparison. We're building components that last indefinitely and align with how we want to work.
How We Work
With just two of us, every decision matters. We use sophisticated CAD systems, precision CNC machining, and TIG welding to create components that rival anything made by much larger operations.
Our size isn't a limitation—it's our competitive advantage. Being small allows us to maintain standards that wouldn't survive scaling up, and to move quickly when we spot an opportunity. We've been first to market with several innovations in bicycle components and manufacturing. When design and production are separated, fundamental innovation becomes difficult—you can't reimagine how something is made if you don't make it yourself. When you order from Sturdy Cycles, you're getting components designed by the same people who machine them, inspected by the same people who programmed them.
Customers choose us because they value genuinely independent UK manufacturing and the kind of thoughtful engineering that's only possible when design and production exist under the same roof.
Made to Order
Each bike starts from carefully engineered models, designed and built to suit your unique fit, handling preferences, and structural needs. We develop our own components to get full control over the critical interfaces between rider and bike—from custom-length cranks to fancy titanium bar end plugs.
Almost all items are made to order with lead times associated with production. These are estimated, and whilst every effort is made to ensure estimates are realistic, they cannot be guaranteed. Please consider this when placing an order.
Workshop Visits
We love meeting customers in person and showing them around the workshop—seeing the machines, TIG setup, and everything that goes into making a Sturdy frame or component. However, we ask that visits are by appointment only.
The workshop is busy and we have no dedicated showroom space or staff. To maintain consistent service to both existing customers and interested parties, please get in touch first to arrange a time.
The team
FAQs
All products produced by Sturdy Cycles are covered by a lifetime warranty for the original owner. This is not transferable and covers material and workmanship defects. Any third party components supplied are covered by their respective manufacturer warranty periods.
There are a range of finishing options available on custom builds. They are divided in to broad tiers based on the associated labour cost. These options are outlined and discussed as part of the design process. The tiers range in cost from £400-£1200 (Ex VAT).
Unless otherwise specified custom finishing is not available on other components.
On completion of a build it will be securely packed into a purpose made container. Onward shipping to customer address can be arranged or customers can arrange for a collection to be made from the workshop.
Collection in person is also an option.
Almost all items are made to order and so have a lead time associated with production. These are estimated and whilst every effort is made to ensure that the estimates are realistic they cannot be guaranteed. Please consider this when placing an order.
We love to meet our customers in person if possible and enjoying showing people around the workshop and all of what goes on behind the scenes. However we ask that this is by appointment only.
The workshop is a very busy place and we have no dedicated showroom space or staff to man it. In order to maintain consistent service to both existing customers and interested parties who would like to visit its important that you get in touch first.
