Design
A properly fitted bicycle is centered on the stem, which we think of in terms of sizes: small (100-105mm, for frames in the 50-54cm range), medium (110-120mm, for 54.5-57cm range), and large (120-130mm, for 57.5cm and up range). A bicycle built around the proper stem length – giving correct reach – will have optimal weight distribution and handling characteristics. We believe that the cure for a poorly fitting bicycle is not a longer/shorter stem but rather a well-built frame using the correct length stem. Your saddle height and the drop to your handlebars are always taken into consideration when suggesting seat tube and head tube length. We use BikeCAD as a drawing tool and we are not shy about making fit and size recommendations.
Our custom frames are built using the following guidelines:
Gran Paradiso for fast road riding, training, and racing using 23-27mm tires, short-reach calipers, Edge carbon fork.
Team Pro for fast road riding and training using 23-27mm tires, short-reach calipers, steel fork.
Classic for a racy feeling on both smooth and crappy roads using 25-30mm tires, makes a great winter bike using skinny tires w/fenders. Uses 57mm-reach calipers and steel fork or Alpha Q CS25 carbon fork.
Strada Bianca for a stable feel on rougher roads using 27-33mm tires, 57mm-reach calipers, fenders w/27mm tires, custom Wound Up fork.
Tournesol are designed for fenders, lights, a light load. Choice of brakes, fork, tire size.
Travelissimo – get it to go with S&S couplers in welded steel or titanium. Choice of geometry and fork.
Special – something fun and different.
At Hampsten Cycles, our ideas about how a bike should fit and ride have been strongly influenced by Andy’s many years of racing and riding. During Andy’s 22-year racing career he worked closely with coaches Eddy B, Paul Koechli, Eddy Merckx, and Dr. Max Testa, who all helped refine his riding technique and position. Andy’s career is covered in more detail elsewhere on this site.
Steve Hampsten started working in bike shops in 1975 and continued for ten years, followed by a hiatus to pursue high-end cooking. 1996 found Steve working in welding, blacksmithing, metal fabrication, and, later, bicycle construction at match bicycle company. Steve and Andy started Hampsten Cycles in 1999.
Our bicycle and frame designs reflect many of our past influences and present-day experiences, as well as a long-abiding love of riding bicycles. While both looking back at the past and ahead to the future, our designs focus on joining the best materials using both classic and modern construction techniques, but always with a traditional outlook.
