QUIRK CYCLES – MAMTOR 3D PRINTED GROAD BIKE
London-based bike manufacturer Quirk Cycles unveiled an innovative concept at Bespoked in Bristol. What’s up with the Groad bike and its 3D printed parts, you’ll find out here in the official press release.
It’s been a busy year so far for Quirk Cycles who have been working hard developing the brand with the introduction of three new base models. Known for making beautiful, bespoke bikes from their London workshop, Quirk has introduced new base models, each one created for a specific riding purpose. All three of the new models reflect founder Rob Quirk’s passion for multi-surface adventures, with the Durmitor and the Kegety directly inspired by his own experiences on the Transcontinental Race and Silk Road Mountain Race. But what has really caught our attention is their new GRoad bike, the Mamtor.
The Mamtor is an all-terrain gravel-road bike with the ability to run large tyre sizes while sticking to its road credentials – the perfect do-it-all bike for those who like to switch it up between road and gravel. This year at Bespoked Bristol (the UK NAHBS), Quirk Cycles revealed a very special version of the Mamtor; a prototype model utilizing 3D printed stainless steel parts. Having been in development for the past year, Quirk has utilized ALM manufacturing processes to construct their own 3D printed dropouts and a new seat cluster design with integrated seat clamp, possibly a first in steel bicycle design. Speaking with Quirk, there are many advantages to using 3D parts in the construction of a frame not to mention weight savings, fewer heat cycles during fabrication and alignment benefits. Crucially though, the parts solve many construction problems but also add a new level of aesthetic beauty to their frames finish. Although still prototyping at this stage, Quirk hopes to roll out the parts gradually into his new model lines.
It’s hard to look at this bike and not notice the jaw-dropping paint job executed by Cole Coatings Workshop. An organic finish applied with absolute control and precision, a secret formula has been used to apply layer upon layer of paint without problematic product build. Once all the colours were applied Cole got to work tearing and ripping through the top layers of colour to reveal the ones beneath. Once happy they set upon using different grades of abrasive to cut through more layers of paint to reveal even more colours. Silver leaf is applied in an unorthodox fashion, sanding and rubbing through before it has set to give an irregularity that makes this finish quite unique. The colours used in this particular house special were picked from Quirk Cycles new 2019 seasonal colours.
This particular bike will be making its way to Barcelona to SRAM ambassador Charles Reza. Charles has been working with Quirk Cycles since the company was founded racing for the Quirk Cycles sponsored team East London Fixed. He’s keen to get hold of this one and shred it on the trails around Barcelona, just be careful with that paint!
Head over to www.quirkcycles.com to see the new models and more stunning builds.
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Words: PM Quirk Cycles Photos: Quirk Cycles
