Shimano Cues Showbike

Not long before Bespoked Dresden 2025, I had a phone conversation that led to an NDA for a product launch, that led to a fevered tight deadline bike build, that led to the first international trade show for Clandestine…

This bike was built to help Shimano with the launch of their silver Cues groupset. I love silver components and I find it really gratifying that there are signs that they’re coming back into the mainstream. I always try and keep some links to cycling’s history in the way I make bikes, and silver components really help cement that feeling. It’s even better that these parts are priced for normal humans.

I was given pretty free reign with what I built, within the realms of an off road drop bar bike. So this “gravel”-ish kind of bike came to be. Built with Columbus tubing, a relatively high stack and long reach to allow a short stem to keep the rider upright and centred, in line with the easier gears Cues has available compared Shimano’s traditional drop bar setups.

At the very last minute before it had to go to powdercoat in order to make the deadline for the show, I made up a cute little front rack – because I couldn’t bear the thought of taking a bike to a show without a rack.

These amazing photos were taken by John Watson from The Radavist. It’s always a real privildge to have John photograph my work. He is a massive advocate for the handbuilt bike world and I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that his contributions have helped secure the continuing viability of the trade. So thankyou John! You can see the complete Radavist piece about this bike here.