OUR STORY
If you're having fun, you're doing it right
NorthRoad Cycles started with a simple goal – to build bikes for individuals. To listen to what riders wanted, build beautiful bikes, and provide honest, experience based advice to those that want and need it. We wanted to build a place where people who had become fed up of giant corporation marketing BS could come and feel at home. A place where we can together stick two fingers up at those who snub others for what they do or don’t ride. If you’re having fun you’re doing it right.
Over time, the expertise of Ian, one of the Founders of NorthRoad, led the business into full custom specifications. There was no reason for a bike to have “full” off the peg groupsets apart from the fact that some people like matchy matchy. It would be too bold to say NorthRoad invented Gravel Bikes but it would be fair to say that we were at the pointy end. Putting derailleur extenders on long cage, 10 speed derailleurs and using mountain bike cassettes to get the off road gearing that we so desired to work with road bike shifters. As time went on and we spoke to more people, it was abundantly clear that there wasn’t a one size fits all approach, and we embraced that.
You want fast? We’ll make you faster. You want comfort? We’ll make sure you can ride all day. You want to get rowdy? We’ve got a bike for that.
Over time, the expertise of Ian, one of the Founders of NorthRoad, led the business into full custom specifications. There was no reason for a bike to have “full” off the peg groupsets apart from the fact that some people like matchy matchy. It would be too bold to say NorthRoad invented Gravel Bikes but it would be fair to say that we were at the pointy end. Putting derailleur extenders on long cage, 10 speed derailleurs and using mountain bike cassettes to get the off road gearing that we so desired to work with road bike shifters. As time went on and we spoke to more people, it was abundantly clear that there wasn’t a one size fits all approach, and we embraced that.
You want fast? We’ll make you faster. You want comfort? We’ll make sure you can ride all day. You want to get rowdy? We’ve got a bike for that.
2016
NorthRoad Founders Ian and Jane set up a small workshop in their shed. Working with UK carbon experts to decide on suppliers the first NorthRoad bike, the Sportif, was born. Ian spent his spare time servicing friends and club mates bikes whilst developing radical new TT and Road bike designs.
2018
Back when gravel bikes were cyclocross bikes, NorthRoad had started tinkering with groupsets to find the right balance between off road winching gears and all-road usability. The results were amazing. Extender links and franken-groupsets delivered the first version of the inimitable Explorer; built with the least aggressive cyclocross tyres we could find, it paved the way for the gravel revolution. The NorthRoad Sportif and NorthRoad AeroRacer round out the line up.
2020
NorthRoad moved into their first premises under the Rapha Store in Manchester. Dubbed the Atelier, this showroom provided a welcome environment for customers to come and talk about their specific requirements over a good brew (something we’re still fond of to this day!) The iO V1 is released along with the Mistral. Custom paint options start to get more interesting!
2021
After quickly outgrowing the Atelier. The Bikery was born. A place in which NorthRoad could bring together the warmth of the Atelier and the practicality of painting and building on site. Capacity increased from 2 bikes per week to 20 bikes per week, just in time, too! The team doubles in size and the amount of shop dogs triples!
2022
Already a record breaking year. NorthRoad riders now grace the start line of Triathlons, Iron Man, Time Trials, Ultra Races, and more – both nationally and internationally. The business invests heavily in UK manufacture – With the release of the worlds first recycled aluminium, made in the UK gravel bike imminent, It’s shaping up to be a big one.
We are Family
What does it mean to be a part of the NorthRoad Family?
Firstly, no one is under any sort of obligation to be part of our clan. Your bike is yours and you can enjoy it either way. However, the friends that we at NorthRoad have gained through selling beautiful bikes is not to be underestimated. We often ride with our customers, enjoy cake stops, and share stories. We’re a fountain of bicycle knowledge but without the help and support of our customers NorthRoad as a business wouldn’t be half as strong as it is today – and we mean that quite literally.
Firstly, no one is under any sort of obligation to be part of our clan. Your bike is yours and you can enjoy it either way. However, the friends that we at NorthRoad have gained through selling beautiful bikes is not to be underestimated. We often ride with our customers, enjoy cake stops, and share stories. We’re a fountain of bicycle knowledge but without the help and support of our customers NorthRoad as a business wouldn’t be half as strong as it is today – and we mean that quite literally.
NorthRoad customers are responsible for providing counsel through some of our most difficult decisions, they’re responsible for providing access to resources we didn’t know existed, and they’re always there for us in our hour of need – and we are confident that we give as much as we can back in return. So come on in, have a brew, and see what we’re about. You might come away with more than a new bike.
Bikes as individual as the people who ride them
One of our core principles has always been that you, the rider, should be in charge of your bike. There are times when you might have to make compromises, from budget to part availability, but you should be in charge of those compromises and know how that might affect your experience. We’re brilliant at helping and explaining these things, even if you’re not coming from a place of knowing loads about bikes. Just ask, we’ll see you right.
We’ve built hundreds of bikes. Here are some of our highlights
All different. All wonderful. How do you want yours?
