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 - not as a business in the traditional sense, but as a passion project.
Norman is about 10 years old and is 50% German Longhaired Pointer, 25% Bernese Mountain Dog, 25% Collie, and 100% good boy.

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. If you’re looking for a bike that’s been restored with care and attention to detail, I’d love to work with you.

How much does it cost and what do I get for that?
We are a registered business for practical reasons, but not a traditional profit-driven venture. we restore these bikes because we love them, not because we’re trying to scale up or maximize sales. That said, we do charge for our work, just not for all the hours we put in. It would be impossible to recoup all the time and costs that go into these bikes such as sourcing and picking up the frames, restoring them and tracking down the right parts but we feel that the price reflects the time, effort, and attention to detail that goes into every build.
Each build takes anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month or more to complete - from stripping the bike and treating it, to rebuilding and testing it. The clear-coating process alone takes at least a week, as each layer needs time to cure.
Custom builds start at around €1000, which includes clear-coating, assembly, and all consumables such as tyres, cables, grips, and chains. Some bikes end up costing just about that much, but the price also depends on the rarity of the frame and the components used.
While this pricing reflects the quality of work, it doesn't - and can't - account for all the hours and that's exactly how I want it. This is about passion, not profit.

What do you do to your bikes?
We bring them as close to their original condition as possible. Every bike is fully stripped down to the frame, rust is removed, and the frame is sprayed with multiple layers of clear coat, not just for shine, but to protect against rust returning. This is a home-brewed process that takes at least a week, as each layer needs time to cure. This ensures the finish is durable and stays looking fresh for years to come.
We also replace all bearings (wheels, headset, bottom bracket), straighten the wheels, and swap out any parts that can’t be restored. Handlebars are adjusted or replaced to improve comfort. All consumables (cables, tyres, grips, chains, etc.) are always replaced.

Why do I need a vintage 26-inch Chromoloy steel mountain bike?
These bikes are strong, versatile, and built to last, yet they weigh about the same as a modern touring or city bike. They’re sustainable because after we’ve finished with them they can probably last another 30+ years and can be repaired or upgraded anywhere in the world without relying on expensive or hard-to-find parts.
They’re simple and low-maintenance because they don’t have suspension, which means fewer things to break or service. Steel frames also flex slightly as you ride, absorbing vibrations and making them more comfortable than stiffer aluminium or carbon frames. Many of these bikes also use butted tubing, meaning the frame is thicker where it needs to be strong and thinner elsewhere to keep weight down. The 26-inch wheels make these bikes quick to accelerate, easy to handle, and more fun to ride. Many of them also have mounts for racks, making them great for commuting, everyday riding, and even long-distance trips. Oh, and they look super cool!

Which frame size is right for me?
Vintage mountain bikes fit differently than modern bikes. The top tube length (how far you reach forward) is as important as the seat tube length (how tall the frame is).
Another factor is standover height (the clearance between you and the top tube when standing over the bike). Ideally, you should have at least a couple of centimetres of space to ensure a comfortable fit and easy dismounting. That said, there is a lot of room for adjustments, for example, handlebars and stems can significantly change how a bike feels. This means you might not need as large a frame as you’d expect. For example, Tom is 173cm and prefers to ride frames with an 18” (46cm) seat tube, because the shorter top tube gives him a more comfortable reach and the standover height is just right. Norman can’t ride a bike yet.

Can I see what they looked like before?
Sure, just check out the before/after on 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 get it if needed. However, since a bike is built for you, we’d prefer to fit it to your body before you take it home. Get in touch and we can discuss what’s possible.

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