One of the things we love most about Brother in the Wild Dorset is the bikes themselves. Every year the campsite fills with an incredible mix – from hand-built works of art to well-worn retro MTB conversions – each one with its own story and personality.
This year, with support from our friends at Wizard Works, we hosted our first ever ‘Best in Show’ — giving riders the chance to show off their pride and joy, and everyone else the opportunity to admire their favourites.
Over thirty bikes made it into the line-up, attracting a big crowd and plenty of excitement. It turned out to be one of the highlights of the weekend – and without a doubt, it’ll be back next year.
It wasn’t just a chance to show off their bikes – entrants were also in the running for some great prizes. Winners were chosen by Brother Cycles, Wizard Works, and The Woods Cyclery, with the People’s Choice Award going to the crowd favourite, voted for over the weekend. Check out the winners below:
The Woods Cyclery Choice // Fabian’s ‘Mountain Bike’
“What amazes me most about my bike is actually the way I found/got it:
When Davo picked up his Alonukis frame (below), we got to him by train and bike, with the plan of riding back to Munich from the foothills of the Alps. While we were there our friend Peter, who shares a workshop with Johannes from Alonukis, showed us his classic bike collection and i spotted this. I was blown away so I bought it on the spot, left my gravel bike at his workshop, and rode it back to Munich that day!”
Highlights:
– Unknown 1980’s ‘Mountain Bike’ frame
– Sugino GT Crankset
– Suntour Mountech 3×5 (!!!) with friction thumb shifters
– DiaCompe Cantis with fresh Kool Stop Pads & Yokozuna Cables & Outer
– Japan Import Ultradynamico Red Mars 26 x 2.3″ tyres
– Slingshot Suntour Stem, Motocycle Handlebar and og Odi Mushroom Grips
– Original Suntour Beartraps XC-3 pedals
“A perfect setup for the dorset wtf route 🥰”
The Wizard Works Choice // Davo’s Alonukis Frameworks
Davo, co-owner and founder of Guten Biken in Munich and his custom built Alonukis Frameworks ‘Rinko’ bike…
“Rinko bike” – a bicycle designed to be easily broken down and packed into a lightweight bag for transportation on public transport, especially trains, a system known as “Rinko” in Japan.
“The wishbone seat stay is fully removable with 3 screws, the chain stays fold up from behind the BB shell towards the seat post clamp, the stem is on a quick release with a secondary clamp to retain headset tension (and keep the fork from falling out). The pedals, lights and seat post are removable by hand. The wheels bolt together with a modified thru axle. The frame bag opens up from both sides, so the wheels can connect to each other.”
Highlights:
– Paint by B-Schicht Stelle
– Srål Titanium bars
– Wheelset – rear-Hope Pro 2, front-SON, nextie carbon rims, CX Ray spokes
– MKS XC 111 pedals with UB-LITE esy axle switch
– Paul Klamper brakes
– XTR 9-speed rear mech
– Yokozuna cables
– Custom frame bag from ‘What Happened Outdoors’
The Brother Cycles Choice // Jarek’s Customised Marin
“I think it’s a 97’ Marin Eldridge Grade, I got obsessed with this particular frame when my neighbour built one up and sold it before I had a chance to buy it off of him, eventually tracked it down in a beaten up condition on on FB marketplace up in Rugby for 30 quid, so went for it.”
Highlights:
– Disc brake conversion by Tomo Bikes
– Edsen segmented disc fork
– White Industries 3x crankset (keep your triples on people)
– Blue Lug x Nitto collab bars
– Leopard print ebay find saddle
– Wald 137 basket and Blue Lug basket bag
“It’s a humble old ratty half parts-bin do it all daily commuter, so was super happy to be keeping up with everyone on the ride out and even get a little award for it!”
THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE! // Fez’s Specialized Rockhopper
“It was super important for me to find a bike from my birthyear. I also always liked the old specialized bikes, so, I had luck and found this one second-hand from an old guy in Munich at a marketplace for only €250! It’s a Specialized Rockhopper Comp from 1989.”
OG parts:
– 3x biopace crank
– Shimano Deore 3×7
– Canti brakes
– Beautiful original spec Specialized 26″ rims!
New parts:
– Magic Components ‘Moth Bar’
– Simworks ‘The Homage’ 26 x 1.95″ tyres
– MKS Pedals
– Tektro levers
– Fancy pink Jagwire cables
– Brooks leather saddle
– Rons Bikes bar bag