Alex from
the European Bike Project runs one of our favourite Instagram accounts that showcases the very best of European bike manufacturing. From
bikes bolted together from plywood all the way up to
3-D printed titanium, he has a knack for finding some of the most interesting projects on two wheels. Alongside sharing others' bikes, he also builds up his own. His last bike was a
100% European Crossworx Dash, which was entered in the
European Bike Challenge, and now he has revealed a new build that he is calling Project Magic Carpet.
This build still leans heavily on European manufacturing, but Alex allowed himself 5% of the bike's final price for non-European components for performance-related reasons. Another key aim was to make this bike as comfortable as possible on his hands and body, so the spec list includes Rev suspension grips, Lilienthal rims that are filled with foam, Rimpact inserts and powerful brakes (to help reduce hand fatigue) - it's a bit like the
Squishiest Mountain Bike thought experiment we ran but actually useable as a bike in the real world.
The full spec list is below:
 | I wanted to build a very comfortable bike that is still pedal-friendly to create a ride that's like a magic carpet - hovering effortlessly above the ground. I know that these goals are basically the goal of every enduro bike, but I wanted to build one the 'TEBP way' - I wanted to know where the products come from, but didn't want to go for 100% Europe. 100% European proved to be a bit too restrictive when I built my last bike, so some North American and Japanese parts can be found on the bike.—European Bike Project |
As the German brand is best known for its chainguides, it's no surprise to see the fine details are well thought out on this high pivot frame.
There are also some 77Designz components attached to the frame, including this snazzy stem that's designed specifically to work with a handlebar made in Canada by WeAreOne.
The upside down legs offer some neat cable management opportunities and Alex says the 20mm axle keeps the steering precise.
In his hunt for performance, Alex compromised on his European ethos and fitted some Japanese-manufactured Shimano parts, but he has completed the rest of his drivetrain with components from British brand Hope and Poland's Garbaruk.
Germany's Magura provided a set of custom MT7 brakes. Alex prioritized power in his brakes he could to increase his hand comfort.
The pedals are English and come from the workshop of Pembree. Alex was hoping his compliant build would stop him from getting bucked off his flats as much and these meaty pedals should definitely help him towards that goal.
The heavier Lilenthal wheelset includes an injected foam that helps to deaden some of the vibrations from the trail.
Whatever wheelset he chooses, Alex fits French Hutchinson rubber.
128 Comments
Sorry, could not resist..
Hopefully Europe and the rest of the world can remember that there is more to the UK than the brexiteer, thank god. (I am British, born and live in England before some turd comments about the flag)
Remember it’s often those with the least to say that should the loudest - like @drjonnywonderboy who struggles with the basics.
Yes it is steel
I sincerely hope Scotland does not split from us in England, but I am able to see why the strength of feeling is there.
My point still stands though, for many in the UK Brexit wasn’t what we wanted and Boris doesn’t represent many of our values - but that’s life.
The irony is many voted Brexit to ‘kick it to the elites’ - it achieved almost the polar opposite as it was designed to do so. Turkeys voted for Christmas.
It’s done now though and we live with it, we won’t be ‘coming back’ anytime soon though.
The rational outcome would be the gradual reparation of the ties that have been broken with the EU, but that's going to require the crooks who made it possible to turn against it and take those they conned on the necessary journey back to geopolitical reality and pragmatism. Or a whole new narrative led by a charismatic progressive with a highly compelling argument must be developed and get enough people on board. Kier Starmer ain't it apparently, but over time the majority will reach a critical mass that will swing things the right way. Hopefully the UK won't have to go back to how it was in the 70s (when I was born - in London) before the cogs of redemption start turning. That's if the tories haven't completely deconstructed the country's democratic and judicial structures to ensure they can't get voted out anytime soon.
Tldr, delusions of grandeur can f you up.
Realistically it will be generations until the question about re-entry will even be seriously asked (if ever), let alone a situation arising where it could be voted upon.
As I said, I was 100% remain but that’s irrelevant now, we left, it’s done and the best outcome for the situation needs to be sought by all.
When I say "sane" MPs, I mean those who care about voters, which is kind of their job, rather than paving the way for more disaster capitalism (Rees Mogg's dad literally wrote the book on it).
But yes, the Taliban, Saudi, the Emirates, UK arms deals. No one is innocent in this sense, including the French, but plunging the economic fortunes of your own electorate into an epic hole through such deception is next level political cynicism. I think many are scared that if they reassess their view of Johnson and his clown car cabal, taking into account what anyone with eyes should be able to see, they will have to rethink so much of what they believe that the ideological ground they stand on will disappear from beneath their feet. Too much to lose by admitting that they facilitated the rise of the most incompetent, mean-spirited, dishonest and self-serving horror show government the UK has seen since it was ruled by syphilitic kings.
all french arguments are moot because of this turd slurper
@Compositepro: the Vote Leave govt want you to think they're all on the take, left centre and right, or their client press do at any rate. Saying all MPs are crooked is music to their ears (like Trump's wholesale destruction of the original concept of truth - pick a truth and be a dick about it). And thanks to the broken system you mention they only have to fool some of the people some of the time. No politician is perfect, but some are more imperfect than others, don't lose sight of that or you'll give up completely.
Do you forget Johnson has a huge majority in parliament and will likely return the same next election?
What do you suggest - A portion of the country rise up to demand we re-join the EU despite Brexit causing very little impact to most people’s lives so far? - I mean you may see in the news everything is f*cked because of Brexit, but speak to the general public here, I don’t know of a single person meaningfully disadvantaged by Brexit personally yet.
Things have a long way to go until we ‘do deals with the Taliban’
I co own/run a small manufacturing / own product outfit in the UK, sell lots to the EU and we aren’t perceptibly down on sales since Brexit, the only definitive downsides we have felt are increased material costs, but these aren’t enough for us to worry about.
Will this all change when the ‘Covid boom’ is over - possibly, but not enough to get millions pissed off enough to march on parliament - Brexit is done, we need to make the best of it now and only time will allow the re-opening of the door to the EU, if thats what future generations want.
As I say, I don’t personally know a single person that has been negatively effected by Brexit, especially not enough to turn the majority away from the Conservative party, the Covid situation may be masking much of this but as I will re-iterate, to much of the voting general public Brexit taking place has made absolutely no perceptible difference to life.
@justanotherusername: "had to close my manufacturing business because we imported material from europe that the UK does not manufacture", said the guy above you. Anyway, stay safe and keep having fun. If you can't deal with it, a good solution is to jump ship right now, as you say. The grass is greener (and steeper) on the other side.
@compositepro - any more details as to why you couldn’t get it at all? The worst we have seen are delays.
You must have been making some pretty niche products to have to get hold of such a rare material, I know you have had fingers in a lot of ‘niche’ areas though….
At that time, the ECU was still in the developmental stage, they were working on narrowing the cost difference between bundles of goods (basket) in the various member countries.
It was a really stimulating time to be in Europe, the idea of a European Union to push back against the hegemony of the USA, Asia, etc …
It’s kinda sad that it fell apart, but not entirely unexpected, esp from the Brits who were the nationalistic.
Brexit is nothing, just some silliness foisted on the British people by politicians who made it an issue in order to get elected.
Sad.
It would be Torture!
Anyway, sitting here with some serious metal holding my leg together this ‘comfort’ build looks like just the ticket once business picks up and I’m allowed back on two wheels. I’ll keep putting the pennies in the jar
Also total weight?
thx
So--priceless? I found this while looking for shaft metal type, and wondering whether WalrusRider didn't have his snapping vectors reversed
Wouldn't strictly have to be singlespeed, but I'm sure some people would be upset if he had used a Rohloff hub instead.
Such a awesome magazine,far away from most of the BS MBA and others were putting out at the time. Their "torture tests" have helped move the sport in the right direction.
Geography wise yes all from Europe
The point is that I like to build bikes with parts from small brands that are mostly just a few hours away from where I live. That's all.
I totally respect your passion, however it is not 5 % margine, it is bike build based on spec u love and manufacturers that u favor for 95% out of 100% bike parts;
Not sure who wrote the article PB or bike builder
And yes, Hutchinson acutally makes most of the tires in France, you can check it on their website.