Chapman Custom

[Ted Durant]

I don't want to clog another thread with info about my new bike by Brian Chapman, so I'm starting a new thread for it. Hope people don't mind that, and that it's not a real RBW topic.

It's RBW adjacent, I think, though. Beautiful lugged steel frames on plush 650B tires were headed for obscurity, but for the efforts of Grant Petersen and Jan Heine (who was very influenced by Grant) and some dedicated and talented builders. I also have to give a shout-out to Kirk Pacenti, whose Pari-Moto tires were a revelation, and whose fork crown and the Columbus fork blades he designed grace my new bike. We live in an embarrassment of riches when it comes to 650B tires, a stark contrast to when Grant took a giant risk and had some bikes built using that wheel size. I wish I could say the same for rims, but thank goodness for the good people at Velocity.

I grew up riding about 100 kilometers from where Brian's home/workshop is, south of Providence, RI. I am very fond of Rhode Island and have many great memories from there. Brian's work speaks for itself. If you haven't seen his Flickr site, I highly encourage you to spend some time there. It is awesome to see his progress as a builder (and as a photographer of his work). My first request for a bike from him was rejected as "not in his swing zone." If you look through his work, you pretty quickly realize how wide his swing zone is, but I was asking for something that would have required a lot of effort on his part. It worked out for the best, though, as the bike that resulted from that process, while being what I asked for, in the inimitable words of Grant, wasn't what I wanted.

My second request of Brian, which came following his restoration of a beautiful Raleigh, was that he do a similar restoration of my Fuji America. That bike hit a car, though, and while the frame wasn't visibly bent, the cracks in the paint made him understandably nervous about working on it. So, instead, he agreed to put me on the list to build a bike that is somewhat inspired by the Fuji, and two years later he nailed the brief and ever so much more so. Fuji advertised the America as "the ultimate touring bike". Brian raised that bar considerably.

The bike is something of a "greatest hits collection" of all my favorite stuff from 50 years of building up bikes and riding them. Reynolds 753 frame tubes, Columbus fork blades, SunTour rear dropouts, Campagnolo brake levers (in carbon, no less), Shimano Dura Ace detailers and 9-speed bar end shifters, Sugino self-extracting crank bolts, Nitto handlebars and seat post. 

The setup is unapologetically exactly the same as my other bikes. I've dialed in a position that works for me in my current state and this is not the bike for exploring something else.

The ride is sublime and honestly unlike anything else that I've ridden. The closest to it, in theory, is my Terraferma Corsa 650B. The steering geometry, though, is a slacker head angle and a bit more trail. Where it trounces the Terraferma (don't get me wrong, the Terraferma is a good bike....) is 1) despite using skinny, thin wall tubing, it doesn't feel like a noodle; and 2) the steering is the most intuitive and secure of any bike I've ridden. There's definitely a sense of liveliness, which I can feel as a slight sideways movement of the lower part of the bike, but that immediately translates into the sensation of it pushing the bike forward. I can only surmise it's what the rowers call "swing".  Extra light tires and latex tubes (from Grand Bois)  surely contribute to the smoothness of the ride.

Ted Durant

Milwaukee WI USA

[P W]

Photos or it didn’t happen Ted!

Although I’m assuming this is the lovely blue one that’s been doing the rounds on Instagram the past few days?

P. W.

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(917) 514-2207

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On Jul 7, 2025, at 4:18 PM, Ted Durant <tedd...@gmail.com> wrote:

I don't want to clog another thread with info about my new bike by Brian Chapman, so I'm starting a new thread for it. Hope people don't mind that, and that it's not a real RBW topic.

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[Dwain Weary]

Chapman makes stunningly beautiful bikes, would love to see yours!!!

Which colors does it have?

[Shawn Granton]

On Monday, July 7, 2025 at 4:48:49 PM UTC-7 philip....@gmail.com wrote:

Photos or it didn’t happen Ted!

I'm guessing it's this one, from Chapman's flickr:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54632754729_e6c164e190_c.jpg 

-Shawn in PDX

[Oliver Moss]

Hell yeah! Brian's work is so dope, and watching his IG videos is one of my favorite pastimes. 

Congrats!!!

[Danny]

Congrats Ted! Glad to hear it rides as nice as it looks! Is it going to reside in WI?

Danny
Madison, WI

[Ted Durant]

On Monday, July 7, 2025 at 6:48:49 PM UTC-5 philip....@gmail.com wrote:

Photos or it didn’t happen Ted!

Yeah, sorry, I posted this photo to the Summer Photos thread, which prompted some questions and that led to this thread. As Shawn said, you can see all the lovely details at Flickr, https://flickr.com/photos/chapmancycles/albums/72177720327319892. 

And yes, Danny, this one lives here in Wisconsin!

And, before anyone asks, the rear fender is on its way.

 

Ted Durant

Milwaukee, WI USA

[Dwain Weary]

Beauty

[Shannon Menkveld]

I will say here, now that I know whose bike it is the same thing that I said on Instagram when I didn't:

Pretty. Just so, so pretty.

I'm not surprised that it rides as wonderfully as it looks. Just a complete and utter knockout.

--Shannon

[Ryan]

indeed! I love that blue...that is a very elegant bike

[P W]

Honestly…

Not only a dream bike, but a perfect bike!

Congrats Ted!

Looking forward to seeing its two-fendered final form!

P. W.

~

(917) 514-2207

~

On Jul 7, 2025, at 6:34 PM, Ted Durant <tedd...@gmail.com> wrote:

<IMG_2901.jpeg>

Ted Durant

Milwaukee, WI USA

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<IMG_2901.jpeg>

[Ryan]

Those details on that bike! Just stunning...and carefully curated. I'll bet it's a joy to ride.

What is the D-ring on the fender behind the fork for? https://flickr.com/photos/chapmancycles/54632707873/in/album-72177720327319892/lightbox/ Something to do with the generator? ...I see a generator hub

And who makes those brakes?

[Will Boericke]

I love Brian's work.  D-ring on the fender is to take it off for packing (or maybe roof rack).

Those brakes: GC 710?  Lovely.

Will

[Ryan]

Thanks...was looking at some of Chapman's other bikes on his site....flat-out drop-dead  gorgeous...well-worth the price and wait...although the queue seems to be closed for now. Wow!

[Ted Durant]

On Jul 8, 2025, at 8:26 AM, Will Boericke <wboe...@gmail.com> wrote:

I love Brian's work.  D-ring on the fender is to take it off for packing (or maybe roof rack).

Correct, the D-ring bolt attaches to a “rinko nut”, allowing the back half of the fender to be disconnected. Typically this is done on the rear fender to facilitate disassembly and packaging for rinko bikes. The front half can remain installed on the bike.  I persuaded Brian to do the same on the front fender, to make transporting the bike in or on a car easier. I failed to make it clear I wanted both fenders done, so he had to cut the rear fender after I picked up the bike. 

Those brakes: GC 710?  Lovely.

Grand Bois Chouette. They are indeed lovely, and paired with the Campy brake levers have a feel that I really like. The Campy levers have a fair amount of mechanical advantage, so there is a lot of modulation available but it’s a nice linear feel.

[John Dewey]

When Chapman shows up, we’re all riding for second place. He’s our Rene Hearse taken up a notch or two…an heirloom for sure. 

Jock

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[ascpgh]

What a beautiful bike Ted!

The sublime nature of Brian's work requires discipline of the eye, nothing has to be flashy. Like that disconnect for the front fender. 

I've always loved the time spent in Brian and Johnny Coast's booth at the Philly Bike Expo for both conversation and up close inspection of the work. 

Andy Cheatham 

Pittsburgh

[John Dewey]

Following this thread makes my heart go thump...thump...thump...

And then Douglas Brooks popped into my head. More thumping.

Jock

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[Minh]

Chapman bike frames are beautiful but somehow ever more amazing to me is all the little details he will put in like custom brake yokes, fender hardware, cable stops, etc.  all the little things makes me want to stare at his bikes for hours, I'm sure it puts a smile on your face everytime you see them, congrats!

[Danny]

Glad to hear it will be living in Wisconsin. Now I've got a slightly better chance of seeing it person one day!

Danny
Madison, WI

[Patrick Moore]

Lovely, even without the rear fender.

[J G]

Spent a lot of time talking with Brian on first day at 2018 NAHBS.  My favorite work at that show, along with Chris Bishop.  

He is a short list builder for sure.  Great choice.  Enjoy!

-Justus

Mpls, MN

[Ryan]

@Jock...not to derail the thread, but it is funny that you should mention Douglas Brooks who was such a positive force on this and the IBob list. I too have wondered from time to time how he is doing. 

[J S]

I spoke to Douglas about 1 1/2 years ago, he is traveling quite a bit to India and still teaching. He was the person that pushed me to pursue Rivendell when I had posted on a bike forum about my back and my desire. to get back into riding, tl that was about 1997 the same year I bought my first Rivendell. I went to his house when I was in the area for business and saw his huge bike collection. A nicer person would bet hard to find.... 

Not to ignore this original subject, the Chapman is a beautiful bike. Enjoy it and love it as you do.

Joel

[ascpgh]

Brian's IG post with detail close ups of Ted's bike went up yesterday and really fleshed out some of the subtle details of which his bikes are full of. All you have to do is look deeper and you keep finding more.

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

[Tom Goodmann]

Even among Brian Chapman's routinely beautiful and thoughtful bicycles, this one is especially remarkable. As already noted, there's the practical work on the fenders, but also the paint scheme, and a sense of aesthetic balance. An artisan's eyes and hands at work, to be sure, and very welcoming in person too. Congratulations, Ted!

(On the subtopic: via my friend from this list in South Florida, I have the good fortune to own a Rivendell frame built for Douglas Brooks; it's a wonderful ride).

Tom

Atlanta

[Ted Durant]

With rear fender now.

[Marty Gierke, Stewartstown PA]

Perfection! Smooth sailing Ted!

[Jim in Mpls]

Beautiful bike Ted!

[Josh C]

Perfect 

[J S]

Stunning bike

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