Archive for the 'Bikes' Category

The New Bike Loan Program from Unitus

A good bike can be many things - transportation, recreation, total elation.  And also a big chunk of change. But if you live in the Portland area, getting a Sweetpea just got a little easier with the new Bike Loan program from Unitus Community Credit Union.

Bike Loan

Much like getting a loan for a car, you can now get a loan for up to $2500 towards a custom Sweetpea Bicycle. The details are here, but instead of a couple big payments, you get to spread it out over the course of a year. Our hope is that by participating in this program, it will be easier for you to get your dream bike.  (To see a little press about the Bike Loan Program, click here.)

Introducing: Two Bite Curry

Like all good curries, this one was stewing for a while.

Two Bite Curry

I was chatting with a fantastic lady at the Sprokettes Mobile Dance Party, confessing that I was woefully lacking in the sass department.  This is something I have come to terms with, but every year Pedalpolooza shows me just how high the bar is set.  This lady explained that it was all about the outfit -  she was wearing a dayglo unitard beneath some baggy mountain bike shorts that she credited for her rockin’ groove.  Before, the unitard - pretty tame.  After the unitard - a different story.  The lesson: You have to trust that its in you, and just walk out the door loaded for bear.  Which brings me to the bike.

Based off of the 26″er, this geared cross rig is designed for a couple of different uses.  With room for fenders, brazeons for racks, and a triple chainring up front, it behaves as an trusty upstanding commuter.  For most of the year it will diligently carry groceries, haul the puppy trailer, and pretty much stay out of trouble.  Come the fall, it will lose its racks, fenders and mild mannered ways for  Cross Crusade.

But its true purpose is to help me show up with a little somtin extra, because I’m fresh out of unitards.


Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Sweetpea Bicycles featured in Bicycling Magazine

Bicycling Magazine: Beat Stress and Custom Bikes

So if you happen to find yourself in a supermarket in Billings, Montana or a bookstore in Boulder, Colorado, or the millions of other places where Bicycling Magazine is sold, pick it up and take a slow easy walk to page 86.  There’s Natalie hard at work with a quote about why its so rad to build bikes for women.  The whole issue was oozing Portland, but it sure feels nice to be recognized.

On the digital front, we got some sweet lovin from Etsy and Cool Hunting.  Check it out!

You are where you are traveling through.


sweetpea bicycles from daniel sharp on Vimeo.

A few months ago Nau approached us and said they wanted to do a video about us for their website. We were honored. This was a company that worked in bold stokes. They were ambitious, talented, and incredibly smart. They wove sustainability into everything that they did, and managed to make something truly beautiful. We are so sad to see them go. This video gives you an introduction to Sweetpea Bicycles, but it is really about Portland: why we ride, why we love it. One last thing: I am not sure if they got our Pant Spec, but they nailed the Skirt Spec. My denim skirt fits a U Lock in the back pocket and rides like a dream.

Silver Road

Quiet confidence and grace, and a sense of style that I can’t really take full credit for. The woman this bike was built for shares that natural ease and refined aesthetic. A natural rider whose exudes an easy strength.

Silver Road

Ultegra parts, Open Pro Wheelset, totally rad Campy water bottle, reflective decals.


Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Preview: Two Bite Curry

Preview: Two Bite Curry

Here is a preview of a rig that just came back from paint.  We are calling it Two Bite Curry: the first bite is hot, the second bite sweet.

(Update) Tangerine Road: This Beauty is Sold

(Art History coming in handy.)

Some of you may recognize this road bike bike from North American Handmade Bike Show where it was on display at the Spectrum Powderworks booth. I can’t really overstate this - this paint job is incredible. These guys went all out. It has a 51.5 cm seat tube and a 52.5 cm top tube and a carbon fork that takes 650c wheels. Available frame/fork for $1500, or we can help you put it together. If you are around 5′5″ and have a 31″ inseam, this could be the bike for you.

Call or contact us for details.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

HW Jr. Rolls Out of the Shop

This bike is amazing. Steel, leather, wood, and canvas all working together, not for good, but for awesome.

A couple of notes about the build: S&S couplers, Campy parts, dual lighting, Brooks saddle, Rivendell Lil Loafer Bag, and Full Wood Fenders. Sweetpea design, frame, fork, and rack.

Oh, and the decals are reflective.

You can see the full build in the slide show below:

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Athletes come in all sizes.

Bright Ocean Blue

Style and grace are too rarely lavished on small bikes. You might think that a bike built around 24 inch wheels and one of my smallest to date would be distinguished by its constraints. Sure, there is not a huge range of rims or tires to choose from. Handlebars only come so narrow. Only a few premium cranksets come in with crankarms short enough. But when I step back from the fabrication, I see that this bike is a joyous affirmation: Incredible athletes come in all sizes. Individuality always finds room to flourish. And yes, there is a bike out there for everyone.


Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Sweetpea Bicycles: A Primer

With all the news, activity, and general awesomeness going on, we felt it right to give a little primer to those of you who might be hearing about us for the first time. First off, welcome to Sweetpea Bicycles.

We specialize in building bikes for the ladies, bikes that fit.
While most folks take measurements and plug numbers into a formula, we try as often as possible to do a real fitting - to see the rider in motion. There is a lot of experience, miles, and muscle memory that you need to work into the mix, and we think this is the best way of dialing things in. We have strong feelings about this. And we have one of the best fitters in the country.

We have one incredible bike builder.
Her name is Natalie, and she is one of only a handful of women bike builders in North America. With a background in architectural design and six years as a professional rider (cough, bike messenger), Natalie has been designing and building bikes for the last two years.

Our bikes start at around $3000 complete.
You are probably thinking one of two things: OMG, that is so expensive, or, OMG that is so cheap. We know. These beauties are built by hand, one at a time, and come out looking hot. They are made out of steel, and are designed to last a very long time. You get to pick your color. Prices vary based on parts and accessories.

We do not believe that you need credentials to buy a custom bike.
If you love to ride, that is all you need.

Our wait list is hovering around a year.
And we expect it to continue to grow. For those of you who are on the fence, now is probably the time. To get in line, we require a $500 deposit. Note: If we do not have your deposit, then you are not in line.

We donate 1% of our sales to environmental causes.
Our bikes are built in Portland, Oregon, but they are sourced from all over the world. Even though we are still small, we feel that there is no time like now for making a difference.

We keep some eye candy on the internets.
And pictures of our dog. To all of our Flickr buddies: Peace.

This is our most stolen picture.

The Farmers Market

You can see it here online 24 hours a day.

And yes. We know. The website needs work.