Build by Sylvain, using a home build kit. A keen woodworker he also made the mudguards from scratch.

Sylvain is a woodworker, and it shows. He built his frame using our home build kit — but then went further, crafting the mudguards from scratch out of wood. The result is a bike where every natural material works together.

The wooden mudguards curve around the wheels with the same elegance you'd expect from traditional coachbuilding. They're not just functional; they're beautiful. The warm brown tones complement the bamboo frame and the honey-coloured Brooks saddle.

This is a touring build with drop bars and rust-coloured bar tape that continues the earthy palette. The stone wall behind adds context — this is countryside cycling, proper British lanes where mudguards aren't optional.

What makes home builds special is the time they allow. Unlike weekend workshops where pace matters, building at home lets you add details that would otherwise be rushed. Sylvain clearly used that time to create something cohesive.

The craftsmanship crossover between woodworking and frame building isn't coincidental. Both require precision, patience, and respect for materials. Both involve understanding how natural fibres behave under stress. Sylvain brought his existing skills to a new discipline.

The compact crankset and wide-range cassette suggest this bike is built for varied terrain. Combined with those mudguards, it's ready for long days regardless of what the sky decides to do.

Craft meeting craft. This is what happens when makers build bikes. 🎋