There's a particular kind of satisfaction in handing a customer a bike that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. No two bespoke builds that leave the workshop are ever quite the same, but this latest #TraversBikes project is one we're especially proud of — a build that nods firmly to the past while running some of the sharpest modern componentry money can buy.
The brief was simple in spirit, if not in execution: give it a retro soul, but don't compromise on how it rides. Here's what went into it.

The frame and finishing kitAt the heart of the build is a traversbikes.com frame, paired with our own finishing kit. Building the frame and cockpit in-house means we can shape the character of the bike from the ground up rather than bolting retro looks onto an off-the-shelf platform — the geometry, the details, and the finishing touches are all considered as one piece, not an afterthought.
Garbaruk drivetrainFor the transmission, we went straight to Garbaruk for the cassette and chainring. We've been a Garbaruk reseller for years, and it's one of those brands that quietly does everything right: CNC-machined in Poland from aircraft-grade aluminium, engineered for exceptionally low friction and long service life, and finished to a standard that looks as good as it shifts. On a build that's meant to turn heads, that finish matters as much as the performance.
Hope hubs and brakesWheels spin on Hope hubs, with Hope brakes doing the stopping. It's hard to think of a component choice that says "built to last, built in Britain" more clearly than Hope. Machined in Barnoldswick, serviceable for decades, and instantly recognisable — the anodised details give this build a lot of its personality, while the brakes deliver the kind of consistent, reliable power you want when the retro looks are backed up by proper trail performance.
RockShox SID forksUp front, RockShox SID forks bring the bike firmly into the present. Lightweight, race-proven, and precise, the SID keeps things sharp and efficient without adding unnecessary weight or bulk to the front end — exactly what a build like this needs to back up its looks with genuine capability on the trail.
Squirt chain waxIt's easy to overlook the chain lube in a spec sheet, but it's a detail we care about. This build runs Squirt chain wax rather than a traditional oil-based lube — a cleaner, drier finish that resists picking up trail dirt and grit, keeps the drivetrain running quietly, and protects that Garbaruk chainring and cassette for the long run. Small choice, big difference over the life of the bike.
The resultPut it all together and you get a bike that looks like it belongs to another era at first glance, but rides like nothing from one — modern suspension, a precision drivetrain, and hubs and brakes built to outlast the frame they're bolted to. That's the whole idea behind a bespoke build: every part is chosen on purpose, not because it's what came in the box.
If you're thinking about a one-off build of your own — retro-inspired, full-modern, or somewhere in between — get in touch. Every #TraversBikes build starts with a conversation about how you actually want to ride.

We've just taken delivery of a set of Nextie Wild Dragon fat rims, built for a customer, and thought they were worth showing off before they go out the door.
The spec:

• Size: 27.5" (650b)
• Width: 85mm
  
• Finish: Matte
• Spoke holes: 32h
• Decals: Solid black

At 85mm wide, this is a proper fat rim — built to give big volume tyres the platform they need to run low pressures and float over sand, snow, mud, or anything else soft and awkward underneath you. The matte black finish with solid black decals keeps things understated, which suits a wheel built for going somewhere remote rather than showing off at the trailhead.
Nextie rims are carbon, so alongside the extra width you're also getting a meaningful weight saving over an equivalent alloy fat rim — useful when you're already carrying a bigger tyre and tube (or sealant) than a standard mountain bike wheel.
We build these to order to match the customer's hub, spoke count, and intended use, so if you're after something similar for your own fat bike, get in touch and we can talk through the options.
Full spec and ordering details are on the Nextie Wild Dragon page