Mercian, Brooks & Paul Smith
It’s not particularly new, but i recently discovered the collaboration between Paul Smith and Mercian Cycles of Derby. All of their bikes are still handmade at their Alvaston workshop and in this collaboration they produced unique Paul Smith designs available in a selection of six hand painted colours in both track and touring set ups. Smith originally wanted to be a professional racing cyclist (he rode a Mercian), but an accident ended his dream at age 17 and was actually the main reason which led to him becoming a fashion designer.
These bikes also sport handmade leather Brooks saddles and handlebar tape, still made by craftsmen in Smethwick just outside Birmingham. Their website has a gallery of catalogue covers as well as a nice collection of illustrations from their original patent applications. They’re beautiful objects that should last a lifetime and actually adapt to the shape of the rider with time. I really should be riding one.
