Robin came to us first with a beautiful Leach Marathon whichwas made just down the road from our Leytonstone workshop about 100 years previous. We helped him to restore it so when, a little time later, his beloved Condor cross/commuter frame gave up the ghost Robin came back to us with a plan to make an updated version of the Leach and the Condor combined for his everyday and touring riding.

There is a long history of frame builders in our bit of East London and I feel connected to that in a way. It was one of the reasons I wanted to stay here and add to the story a bit even if rent is ridiculous and car drivers are mad.

Anyway, my thought was to make a hybrid build, not the Stayer style as such but something in between a Stayer and the bilam lugged builds of Leach and others of the time. I am not much for a flourish so my lugs are pretty simple. I also wanted to use modern stainless tubing as well as make the build stainless throughout.

Robin was after clearance for 32’s and mudguards and a practical build with external routing like his Condor and wearable parts that weren’t going to break the bank to replace for his everyday commute – come rain or shine. He also wanted a rack and lighting system for light touring and longer audaxes or multi day rides.