The Beginnings of the Brand

Initial sketches and a slightly more polished version of what may turn out to be the Milk Bikes logo... Let us know what you think!

Painted Prototype Frames

Factory-fresh pics of the prototype Milk Bikes commuter frames... Can't wait to ride them!!

Alfine Pics

Alfine Maintenance

Two and a half years ago I got Marks help to design and have made a Titanium hardtail. I wanted the bike to be able to use many forms of drive train so that it was flexible. At the time we decided to go with sliding drop outs to enable the bike to run any of the available hub gears.

The bike also had a derailleur hanger to allow the use of conventional gears. I built myself an Alfine rear wheel for the winter and for the last two winters have ridden it in all conditions. It has been great in both the mud and snow, especially when everyone else has been struggling with temperamental gear changes. In the summer I have run conventional gears and done long epic weekends and local XC races on the bike.

Last weeks Friday MTB commute home via the pub confirmed that it is time to make the switch over to winter Alfine mode, but before I put it on I thought I would look inside the Alfine to see if it needed any maintenance. It was a pleasant surprise to find the insides in excellent condition. I have now given it a clean and a re-grease and hope to get it fitted this weekend ready for another muddy winter.

If it takes this abuse on an MTB the hub is looking like an excellent choice for the commute bike. I only wish I had planned a belt port into the Ti MTB so that it was belt ready. Never mind...

GEN-01 Prototype Frames

The first generation commuter frames are finally at the prototype stage... The design has eveolved over the past few months and most of the various components have arrived at Milk Bikes HQ and the big bike build is on the horizon - very very exciting!

Once assembled, the bikes will have bits from all over the world; the States, Australia, Germany, Taiwan, Finland, Italy and of course the good old UK. And, if you're lucky enough to own a Milk Bikes bike, you'll have it all assembled here in the UK too, in Chelmsford in be precise!

It's all good, people!

Raw Frames

The Head Tube: Some beautiful welds going on there

Inboard Disc Mount: Racks AND guards?? No worries, mate!

The Belt Port: Neat little stainless T-piece

In The Beginning...

One of the very first sketches!

Retro-Reflective Rims

Commuting can be dangerous, especially at night, so we want Milk's Bikes to be the safest out there. We've managed to get our hands on these rims, originally designed and produced for the uber-trendy fixed-gear guys, but also perfect for the first gen of Milk super-commuters... 

There are a few great things about these rims; 

1. They're deep-V and very strong (as well as a bit aero!); 

2. There's no braking surface. Great for fixie riders and disc-only Milk bikes!

3. They're a really dark, utilitarian grey - almost black, in normal lighting, so won't show up too much dirt. And they come into their own when a light is shone on them - check out below: 

Imagine driving along and seeing these going around a round-a-bout ahead of you - you're definitely going to a) notice them, and b) slow down... can only be good!

A few pics

Amazed at how light - and small - the 55T chainring is. Was a little concerned it'd look massive and spoil the look if the bike, but having seen it in the flesh I reckon the bike will look fantastic - can't wait

The Belts Have Landed!

The belts and sprockets for the prototypes have been delivered... Woooo!!

Prototypes Ordered

The frame designs have been sorted and we've ordered the prototypes after what feels like months of careful design and deliberation. Every millimeter of the frame has been reviewed and it's really exciting to take that next step and get to build and test the first bikes.

Milk Bikes Prototype Frame Design

I'll post info on some of the details of the design that will make make Milk Bikes stand out from the crowd soon.