Who is The Upcyclist?
My name is Tom. I live in Groningen, NL, and I've been falling off various mountain bikes since the '90s. Originally from the UK, I moved to the Netherlands to study after leaving the band I was in. I now teach psychology at university, music from home and work on vintage MTBs as often as possible. Norman is about 9 years old and is 50% German Longhaired Pointer, 25% Bernese Mountain Dog, 25% Collie, and 100% good boy.

Why do I need a vintage 26-inch (Chromoly) steel mountainbike?
They’re unique, versatile, durable and strong while being no heavier than a modern touring or city bike. They’re sustainable because after we’ve finished with them, they can probably last another 30 years and be easily repaired or modified anywhere in the world. The lack of suspension reduces complexity while fatter tires add comfort and grip. 26-inch wheels offer faster acceleration and a livelier ride. They also often have multiple mounts for racks and so can be used as city, commuter, and backpacking or touring bikes. Oh, and they look super incredibly cool 😎!

What do you do to your bikes?
A lot! We bring them close to their original condition with a modern colourful twist. We strip them down to the frame, remove rust, spray the frames with multiple layers of clear coat (which makes them super shiny but also protects against rust returning), replace all bearings (wheels, headset), straighten the wheels, replace any parts that can’t be restored and change the handlebars to make the ride more comfortable. Consumables such as cables, tires, grips, chains etc are always replaced.

Can I see what they looked like before?
Sure, just check out the before/after on Instagram

Can I buy one of your bikes?
Yes! We're a registered company so you might even be able to get a discount via your company bike plan
(fietsregeling/fietsplan).

Can you make a bike for me?
By all means. Take a look at the new projects page to see if there’s anything that catches your eye

Which frame size is right for me?
With vintage mountain bikes, the top tube length is just as important as the seat tube length. However, there is quite a bit of room for adjustments; handlebars and stems, for example, can make a huge difference in the feel of the bike. A bike might not need to be as big as you think. For instance, Tom is 173cm and prefers to ride frames with a seat tube length of 46cm/18” because of the shorter reach. Norman can’t ride a bike yet.

You made a bike I like, can you make some changes to it?
Yes. Everyone’s style is different. Get in touch via the contact page or Instagram

Can you do some work on my MTB?
Of course! Get in touch with as many pictures as possible, and we'll try to let you know what needs replacing and what’s possible to upcycle. We charge an hourly rate plus parts for which you will receive an invoice.

Do you offer shipping?
We don’t have packaging ready to go but we can access it, get in touch and we can discuss what’s possible

What are your business details?
Chamber of Commerce (KvK) 89589297, VAT (BTW) NL004744989B04