Breadwinner’s do-it-all machine at NAHBS 2014. © James Thomas
by James Thomas
The Breadwinner orange B-Road ’cross bike features “the world’s only 11 speed downtube shifters.” It was funny to see a bike getting attention for retro down tube shifters, but it was attracting a lot of it.
Down tube shifters provide front derailleur trim, and sand and mud proof. Breadwinner at NAHBS 2014. © James Thomas
The bike was built with the intention of being simple, and the intended use is dual-purpose: commuting and cyclocross racing. Because of that, it isn’t just retro-stylized, and features disc brakes. One advantage of opting to use down tube shifters is the ability to then run TRP’s excellent Hylex hydraulic disc brakes and brake levers, typically a singlespeed item.
Made with oversized Columbus Spirit steel tubing, the bike also features a painted-to-match Enve fork, and is sized to fit 32-38mm tires—it’s a bike that’s ready for any adventure, and is designed more as a gravel adventure bike than a ’cross racer.
Fender/rack mounts, TRP Hylex hydraulic brakes and Dura-Ace 900 on the Breadwinner at NAHBS 2014. © James Thomas
Breadwinner is the brainchild of two builders, Ira Ryan and Tony Pereira, who have been building bikes for a combined total of 19 years—so there’s a lot of experience between the two as they create custom TIG-welded steel bikes. Just a year ago, the two left their individual custom building companies to work together.
More Info: breadwinnercycles.com
Check out our cyclocross, gravel and general bike eye candy from NAHBS 2014 in the past weeks.
