Perhaps just as famous (infamous?) for putting on the Junkyard Cross races, Philladelphia-based Bilenky Cycle Works was at NAHBS showing off their day job—building custom bikes, such as this fillet-brazed cyclocross steed made for local racer Bobby “The Baltimore Bullet” Phillips. The frame was made for Phillips, who also organizes local races, in conjunction with Mel Pinto Imports.
The fillet-brazed “Baltimore Bullet” (left) has all the bells: Miche carbon wheels, brakes cranks and stem, Force drivetrain, and limited edition Brooks Swallow saddle © Greg Klinsporns
Built for ’cross, The Baltimore Bullet keeps all cables high and dry along the top-tube, utilizing a Surly Bikes cable hanger for the rear brake and a guide-wheel for the front derailleur. The bike came fully loaded to the show, with Grifo XS 32s on Miche SWR Full Carbon wheels, Miche Cross Carbon Brakes and Carbon Cranks, SRAM Force drivetrain and a limited-edition white Brooks Swallow saddle, paired with Brooks white leather handlebar tape.
Top-routed cables make for a clean bike, and a Surly cable hanger helps align the Miche carbon brakes © Greg Klinsporns
Rather than using lugs to connect the tubes, founder and builder Steve Bilenky chose fillet-brazing, which he describes as “a form of gluing with metal, as opposed to welding. It’s really like casting a custom item, and that’s what makes it unique.” Watch Bilenky work with fillet brazing in the video below!
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