From the website of K.Bedford Customs – “K.Bedford Customs is the pinnacle of my 30 year career designing and building some of the most iconic bicycles of the modern era.”
“Each K Bedford frame is hand-built by me and my small team of like-minded and equally experienced craftsmen in our upstate New York facility. Into each frame I pour my years of experience with one singular goal: to realize your vision of the ultimate bike.”
“I worked for Serotta for 21 years as a frame builder, head of production and then later as chief frame designer. In my tenure at Serotta, I designed and built tens of thousands of bicycles, including many of the legendary American race bikes for the 7-11 and Coors Light teams, but more importantly, thousands of bicycles for passionate cyclists, many of which are still on the road.”
In 2008 I left Serotta. It was time to once again to build fine frames under my own name and thus K Bedford was born.”
This particular K.Bedford is owned by Smiley – if you live in any of the Mid Atlantic States of the USA – Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and D.C., and ever ordered a custom geometry Serotta when that company was in business, Smiley is likely the gentleman you dealt with.
Nowadays, Smiley specializes in bike fits and is working in direct partnership with K.Bedford Customs. You can visit his website and portfolio at this LINK.
Smiley is new to the world of gravel cycling and as such, is learning all about the nuances associated with this genre. Bigger gears aren’t always better – since these photos were taken, Smiley has substituted the 50 tooth chainring for a 46. However, with his eye to the future and more technically challenging and hilly courses, a 42 tooth chainring may find itself on his lovely K.Bedford gravel machine.
Smiley of BikeFitbySmiley’s K.Bedford Customs Gravel Machine
Frame: K.Bedford Customs in Alumin(i)um – we don’t know the exact tubing spec.
Fork: Parlee All Carton tapered, 1 1/8″ to 1 1/4″.
Headset: Cane Creek.
Seatpost: Zipp Service Course.
Saddle: Brooks.
Wheelset: Velocity Aileron Disc.
Tyres: Clement LAS 700c x 33mm.
Handlebars: Zipp Service Course.
Stem: Zipp Service Course.
Shifters: SRAM Force 1 x 11-speed mechanical.
Derailleur: Rear only, SRAM Force 11-speed long-cage.
Crankset: SRAM Force 1 x 11 fitted with 46 tooth chainring.
Bottom Bracket: SRAM Force PFBB 30.
Pedals: Time.
Cassette: SRAM 12-36 11-speed.
Brakes: Avid BB7 SL mechanical calipers.
Bottle Cages: Zipp Alumina.
K.Bedford Customs Website – Facebook Page
Photos provided by Lisa Kruppa Photography.
Sweet bike, you have impeccable taste in pedals.
Goodness gracious, that is a thing of beauty!!!