Donhou Bicycles

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// DONHOU STORE IS NOW CLOSED //We’ve been a little quiet on here for a while now. It’s been a period of big change, wit...
29/10/2024

// DONHOU STORE IS NOW CLOSED //

We’ve been a little quiet on here for a while now. It’s been a period of big change, with a full time move back to the UK, as sadly we have decided to close .store and workshop in Athens and as such stop producing frames.

It was a fun ride and while there are several reasons for the decision, both business and personal, I’d mostly like to just take this chance to thank everyone that has supported us over the years. All the customers, people that have come to an event and anyone that has appreciated what we’ve tried to do, or helped us out along the way. There’s many of you and I’m so very grateful for it all. Will always be humbled. Donhou was always about following the heart.

Importantly, it’s just the workshop that has closed. The website is still there and although we won’t be taking frame orders, you can still purchase other items. I’m still excited to use Donhou as a creative cycling outlet, once things have settled down, hopefully in the form of more DIY grassroots events! In times when people need less stuff, that has been the most rewarding part of the past couple of years. Athens Divide, Loose Spokes, Strawberry Dirt Jam and the events we had in the shop.

Exciting and nervous times while I work out the next moves. For now though, cheers and back to the slop of Epping Forest, catch you on the trails!

Here’s a closer look at the Donhou Klunker. This was built for the Hack Bike Derby, organised by . Racers had to build t...
29/05/2024

Here’s a closer look at the Donhou Klunker. This was built for the Hack Bike Derby, organised by . Racers had to build their own frame/bike, then meet to build the race course. There was to be a dual eliminator style course for Saturday and then a DH for the Sunday. Fire and beer on Saturday night, as we camped out in the soggy woods.

The weather was terrible on the Saturday and we pieced together some kind of rut track, as the rain tried its hardest to wash away anything we built. Racing followed in rowdy knock out rounds, I think took the win.

Next day for the DH, we put together a super cool little course and after making a wrong turn on the eliminator, getting knocked out early, the racer in me was keen to get a good finish!

It was drying up now, and one thing I hadn’t realised on day 1 as it was so wet, I was riding in a way that would accidentally activate the rear coaster brake. I’d set my pedals for a corner and accidentally hit the brake. Conditions were so bad on the Saturday I didn’t even notice it was happening. But come race day on the Sunday, things had dried up. On my run, naturally I was going quicker than I probably should have been (considering the bike!), I set up for a turn and unexpectedly locked up the rear wheel, sending me into a tree. I dragged the front wheel back onto the track, got back up to speed and approached the stream gap. Pulled up to jump it and nothing, hand came straight off the handle bar. I hadn’t realised I’d dislocated my thumb in the first crash! Had to relocate my thumb again at the finish line and someone gave a pack of bacon to ice it with. Good times. To everyone that made that one happen 🍻

Found in an east London loft. Reanimated the monster. Some call it the ‘THE DISLOCATOR’…
28/05/2024

Found in an east London loft. Reanimated the monster. Some call it the ‘THE DISLOCATOR’…

Heading to Athens for your summer hol’s? Remember to stop by .store, see some frames being made and can give you all the...
24/05/2024

Heading to Athens for your summer hol’s? Remember to stop by .store, see some frames being made and can give you all the best tips for the incredible MTB and gravel riding right on the edge of the city…

This project was for a customer in Japan, Takuro. The process has been a really enjoyable organic one and the bike has c...
02/05/2024

This project was for a customer in Japan, Takuro. The process has been a really enjoyable organic one and the bike has come out incredible because of this. During the build process, we discussed the type of riding Takuro would be undertaking and the idea for a modular rack was sparked. Takuro wanted the bike to be able to be used day to day and then be transformed into a long haul machine for when the road called.

So we came up with this randonneur rack, where the support struts can be swapped out for low rider mounts. The randoneur rack then acts as what you would normally see as an over wheel loop on a typical lowrider rack.

The other feature that the rack has designed in, is the mounting system for the .bags.custom Randonneur bag. This is normally supplied as a zip tied on plate that you attach to your rack so that the bag “slides” onto it. Great system, but we had the opportunity to deliver a more refined bespoke solution. And because we could, we supplied the rack with a few different colour coded topper options, so Takuro can dial it in to exactly how he likes it. The rack also features internal dynamo cable routing and mount for lighting.

Built from stainless steel, with beautifully hand filed fillets, the rack has ended up being the jewel of this build!

Thanks again to for the photos on this one.

What’s a custom touring bike and rack without some custom bags? bags.custom is just around the corner from us and to fin...
02/05/2024

What’s a custom touring bike and rack without some custom bags?
bags.custom is just around the corner from us and to finish everything off, they put together these bags to tie in with the midnight blue accent colour of this bike… 👌

📸:

The DSS2 is our tourer/all road machine. It started its life when we were asked by to build a road bike for long days a...
30/04/2024

The DSS2 is our tourer/all road machine. It started its life when we were asked by to build a road bike for long days and potentially some questionable terrain, as part of their Continental project. This was back before gravel and all-road existed and collaborating with our allocated rider, Sam Humperson of , we came up with a disc braked road bike that could accept up to 32c tires (remember 25c were considered big at the time!).

That bike was then developed into our DSS2 with tire clearance for up to 35c and was the bike we built the most of for several years, until the mainstream had caught up with the disc braked all-road thing. At the time you couldn’t really get something like it anywhere else. I’ve ridden my own DSS2 on some pretty testing trips, including traversing the interior of Iceland. I’ve raced CX on it, it’s taken on many road and gravel rides and even some commuting duties. It’s a joy to ride and a very adaptable machine.

This one really celebrates its adaptability. It’s finished off with a custom fillet brazed stem, colour matched pump and fenders. Then of course there is the custom fillet brazed stainless steel rack, which is modular, allowing the bike to adapt from daily ride to long haul tourer. The rack deserves a post all to itself though, so more on that soon!

Big thanks to for putting together such a great build and sharing these awesome pics. And thanks to Takuro for allowing us to build you this special machine. Many happy miles.

When we work on paint designs with a customer, their input varies a lot. Some opt for one of our signature options. Othe...
18/04/2024

When we work on paint designs with a customer, their input varies a lot. Some opt for one of our signature options. Others keep it simple with a single colour. Some just say here’s an idea, do your thing. Others, really like to be involved and in these cases we really enjoy working through the process of extracting what is inside a customers head and using our experience to deliver something special.

The design scope started pretty wide with this one, we had inspiration from print design and processes such as halftone themes. There was quite a lot of colour and another strong theme running through the inspiration was distortion and noise.

We took some of those print elements and worked up a dazzle design, distorting them a little and smashing them together with a CMY fade, to end up with what you see above!

I rode this one down to delivery. I can confirm it’s a head turner! Or maybe it was because I looked like a child that had just stolen it! Yes this bike is bigger than its proportions would suggest.

Here’s a DSS1GR… Yes, this is an off menu option which has been more popular recently, especially for larger riders. The...
17/04/2024

Here’s a DSS1GR… Yes, this is an off menu option which has been more popular recently, especially for larger riders. The DSS1 is a great road machine, fast, fun, comfortable and tough, it’s the bike most people need. But sometimes people are a little taller and maybe they want something even more capable.

So yeah we build the DSS1 around a gravel fork and tune the geo and tubing a touch to suit. With the use of the gravel fork it brings the proportions into balance on a taller frame, the 32c tyres and deep rims help too. And then if you want to go on that occasional gravel adventure, you can fit up to 40c tires too.

Our London fit partner handled all the sizing for this build, as James definitley was a customer who benefited from custom sizing. It was a pleasure to hand deliver this one at their fit studio, so they could get James all dialed in there and then.

The paint is a story for another time…

Donhou Utility…
08/04/2024

Donhou Utility…

If anyone is in Athens this weekend with the family and bikes, .store has this going on Sunday morning…My daughter Ersi ...
03/04/2024

If anyone is in Athens this weekend with the family and bikes, .store has this going on Sunday morning…

My daughter Ersi has been helping refresh the local DIY pump track and wanted to organise a jam for all the small shredders! Head over to .store for full details. 🍓🤘

Old school…
02/04/2024

Old school…

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