Cyclists are particular about the machines they ride. They have to be fast, they have to be lightweight, they need to have top-notch componentry, and, last but not least, they need to look good. For some cyclists, the sexiness factor is all it takes to get them to open their wallets.
Chapter 2, an Auckland, New Zealand frame builder, takes all these points into consideration when it builds bikes for its customers. However, they also like to solve problems riders may currently have with an existing bike and address them while also thinking about one major element: how much joy will one of their bikes bring to a rider?
About Chapter 2
In the world of cycling, eight years isn’t a long duration of time to build a reputable brand. But since 2017, the father and son team of Neil and Mike Pryde have done that with Chapter 2, and they’ve done it from one of the more remote locations in the world, Auckland, New Zealand.
Together, the Prydes bring a combined 75 years of experience in riding, design, and sporting goods to Chapter 2. Son Mike comes to the business with a passion for both mountain biking and road cycling. However, his knowledge doesn’t end there.
Chapter 2’s Founders’ Background and Mission
Mike has a background in architecture with work on the Hong Kong International Airport. With 13 bikes under his belt, he has won awards in design, such as the Red Dot, IDSA, Best Awards, and the Chicago Atheneum. Father Neil, on the other hand, made his reputation in watersports from the 1970s to the 1990s. He also has experience in the development of equipment for outdoor sports.
The Prydes say their mission with Chapter 2 bikes is rather straightforward. They want to build “beautifully crafted framesets that perform at the highest level yet have a boutique spirit that makes [them] personal.” Chapter 2’s focus is to make bikes personal and to meet the needs and desires of their customers so they come away with a dream bike.
Chapter 2’s Frame and Bike Build Vision and Philosophy
While some frame and bike builders include components on their bikes that cyclists may not want, Chapter 2 states that its builds are created with the potential for the parts a cyclist desires. The company sees the frameset as the centerpiece. It’s what a cyclist adds that makes a complete bike.
Chapter 2’s philosophy about bike building stems from two questions each time they take on a new project. “What problem are we trying to solve?” and “How much fun is this going to be to ride?” The company’s goal is simple but complex: “How much pleasure do we bring to our customers when they ride our creations?”
Chapter 2 also goes above and beyond for the bikes it builds. They don’t just complete a build, put it aside, then move on to the next project. Each new bike build is tested on the rough and ready roads of New Zealand, so Chapter 2 makes sure its customers will be satisfied with the end product.
Last Thoughts
If you are a discerning cyclist and you’re seeking a new road or gravel bike that will be your “dream bike,” it seems Chapter 2 is happy to accommodate and fulfill your needs. While it is a small company, Chapter 2 puts its passion and exacting standards into each bike it builds to make sure it delivers what its customers want.
Just from reading their website, you can sense Chapter 2’s passion for the sport. While the frameset, as they mention, is important, a bike is not fully birthed until all the parts, handpicked by the customer, are attached. Why work with a builder who sees you as just a number and a paycheck? Work with a builder who cares about you as a cyclist and wants to address your concerns so you are happy with what you buy.
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