Pinecone Prototype Bike – detail shots and build spec…

As a follow up to our introductory post to the Pinecone – which you can read HERE – we wanted to show some further detail shots of our prototype bike and give everyone a full breakdown of the build spec.

When we designed the Pinecone, we wanted it to feel just as at home running vintage and second-hand components as it would with brand-new parts. So, when building up our first prototype, we set out to reflect that idea—starting with whatever we already had tucked away in the workshop, then finishing it off with a mix of eBay finds and a few new additions.

The result? A kind of modern-day klunker that’s since become my go-to bike. It’s most at home on the local trails around Brother HQ in Kent, easily transitioning between coastal paths, tarmac, and laid-back forest tracks.

Build Spec:
Frame – Pinecone Size Large
Wheels – Shimano Deore XT M750 Hubs & Ryde Zac 421 rims
Tyres – Teravail Ehline 2.3″
Rear mech – Shimano Deore XT M750 9s
Cranks – Sugino Impel 300
Chainring – Sugino
Pedals – DMR V12
Bottom Bracket – Shimano BB-UN300
Brakes – Avid Arch Rival
Seat Post – Thomson 27.2 Layback
Saddle – Selle Italia Flite
Headset – Chris King NoThreadset
Stem – Thomson Elite X4
Bars – Surly Sunrise
Levers – Avid Speed Dial
Thumb Shifter – MicroShift 9s
Grips – ESI Chunky

A few components deserve a special mention — starting with the Avid Arch Rivals, which are some of the best rim brakes we’ve ever used – 25 year old Accu-Push technology still going strong! They offer all the stopping power you could ever need on a bike like this, and if you’re lucky, you can still find some great deals on eBay. The 9-speed Shimano XT M750 mech had been gathering dust in the warehouse, but it’s finally found a proper home on the Pinecone — and hasn’t missed a beat since. We even sourced the matching hubs to complete the setup nicely. Last but not least, the Ryde Zac 421 rims have been a surprising standout. These super-affordable 27.5″ MTB rims not only perform brilliantly, but they also look great.

We love the idea that a really solid Pinecone build can come together for relatively little money — especially if you shop smart and give old components a second life.

Head over to the Pinecone product page >> here << to see a full product spec, geo chart and further photos – pre-orders opening in early August…