At the end of January 2023, we meet Sylvestre for the first time at the workshop. He arrived by train from Colmar, where he was chef at the time. Sylvestre is feisty, and his next project planned fo 2024 gives him an inexhaustible gauge of energy. He wants to go to Japan for 1 year, to get to know the culture, the people who live there and cook there.
What better way to start a bespoked-made bike discussion than with a dream of adventure. In a few minutes, we were virtually part of the project : in a year’s time, we would also be going to Japan. Then the fun begins. Geometry, design, racks and bags solutions, components. Sylvestre is an ideal customer: he has ideas and experience, and listens to our suggestions. It’s the balance that allows us to go far, in the right place, with four hands.
We dissect his recipe for Japan: the route, the country, the type of bivouac and autonomy, the fears and dreams. We also need to think about his project more broadly, because Sylvestre’s profile leaves no doubt: the adventure will continue after Japan. We’re thinking of the Columbus Zona project with hybrid geometry, offroad abilities on the front, gravel sauce on the rear, a energic downtube, a supple top tube. Custom racks are the second heart of Sylvestre’s Manivelle, and are precisely designed to fit the face of the next adventure. The rear rack offers three configurations: 1- ultralight drybag support / 2 – drybag holder + drybag side loaders / 3 – drybag holder + pannier rack.
January 29, 2024. It’s Sylvestre’s birthday, and we have an appointment with him to deliver his Manivelle N°56. He has just returned from Switzerland, where he is currently working, before finally leaving in September. We’re looking forward to the project, and thanks to the carte blanche once again offered by our customer, there are many details for Sylvestre to discover on the big day.
We welcome Sylvestre, his new companion hidden a few meters away under a white sheet. We exchange news, then head for his Manivelle, pulling back the sheet to reveal the bike. The moment is intense, the heart is beating strong as we observe our customer’s reactions. Time to realize, then the words come, slowly. Precise questions, then pretty statements that make the craftsman feel good. Sylvestre is keen to try out his Manivelle, in this beautiful January sunshine. We open the door for him, and he’s already gone. We wait several minutes before he reappears, smiling.
We plunge back into the Japanese adventure with him. He promises to send us lots of photos, and we look forward to following his journey. Many of our customers have big plans for 2024, and the workshop will be buzzing with them, too.
Bonne route Sylvestre, thank you for your confidence and your sensitive energy.
Frame: Custom Manivelle, Columbus Zona // Fork: Custom Manivelle // Transmission: Shimano Deore 11 speed 11-51 // Crankset: Rotor // Brakes: TRP Spyke // Front wheel : DTSwiss Gr531 650B + dynamo hub Son // Rear wheel: DTSwiss Gr531 650B + Bitex hub // Handlebar: Cinelli Double Trouble // Headset: Hope // Saddle: Berthoud // Tire: Hutchinson Touareg // Stem: Ritchey // Seatpost: Star Bar // Handlebars :Berthoud // Lighting: Busch&Muller // Luggage rack: Custom Manivelle // Mudguards: Reworked Velo Orange
Delivered to workshop on 29.01.24