Collective stories: Building a Handmade Track Frame at Django's Bikeshop

Independent bike shops are a beacon of light in a world gone increasingly online. Places built on years of hands-on knowledge and skill, where skilled mechanics still do things the hard way, the right way. Earlier this year, we made our way to Haarlem to build up a one-off Mercer track frame while having a chat with Django, owner and head mechanic of Django's Bikeshop. We met Django at a local bike race some years ago, bonded over bags, stories, and steel frames, and quickly found out he's a die-hard fixie guy. He runs his shop in Haarlem with passion, striking the perfect balance between honouring old-school cycling and embracing what's new. Classic steel frames sit alongside the latest builds, most of them steel too, with cargo bikes and more crowding the racks. So when we had a track frame on its way to Europe, we knew exactly who to call. Django stripped down his beloved Cinelli, and together we built something special. Both the chat and the build turned out really well. Frame: Mercer x Killat Columbus Tubesets, 75° seat tube / 73° head tube angle Cockpit Nitto Handlebar Brooks Cambium Rubber Bar Tape, Black NG Sports Road End Caps, Chrome Saddle & Seatpost Selle Italia Flight 1990 Woven Saddle Velo Orange Grand Cru Seatpost, Black, 27.2mm Drivetrain SRAM Omnium Crankset, Silver Aarn Silver 49T Chainring SRAM GXP Team BSA Bottom Bracket Cups Velo Orange Thinwall Spacer, Black KMC X101 Gold Single Speed Chain BLB 15T Cog, Black BLB Lockring, Red Wheels & Tyres Rodi Carbon Wheelset Panaracer Agilest TLR 28-622 Tires Schwalbe Inner Tube SV15, 60mm Pedals MKS Urban Platform Pedals, Black BLB Double Cages, Black All-City Deluxe Double Toe Straps, Leather, White Video by ‪@yorickleusink‬ #killat #steelbikes #killatcollective #handmade #steel #custombikes #capetown #cycling