St Joris Cycles

Alex de Kraker builds every bike to measure in his Eindhoven workshop. A qualified mechanical engineer and amateur racer, he combines technical rigour with obsessive aesthetic sensibility. Every frame is designed for a single rider, every detail - handlebar width, shifter choice, geometry - is calibrated to the millimetre. The result is a one-of-a-kind bike that rides like an extension of the body. No series production, no compromise, no shortcuts.

In 2010, Alex de Kraker starts building frames in his garage in Eindhoven. The neighbourhood is called Sint-Joris - Dutch for Saint George - hence the brand name. De Kraker is a mechanical engineer, but it's a flatmate doing his PhD in bicycle dynamics who opens his eyes to the science of the perfect frame. He races as an amateur, designs by profession, and welds by passion.

The early years are a side project. Then the waiting list grows. Fifteen years later, it's a full-time workshop with four bikes in progress at any time. Clients range from passionate connoisseurs to former pros. Every bike is delivered complete - 99% of cases, no frameset only - because De Kraker wants to control every millimetre of the whole package.

He works with two independent partners: a bike-fitting specialist and a painter he's collaborated with for seven years. Three solo artisans, each focused on their excellence, who together form a complete process. It's this philosophy of detail that gives St Joris bikes their reputation.

Material choice is precise: Columbus Spirit and Life tubing, the finest steels available. More recently, De Kraker has developed an integrated 3D-printed seatpost clamp, which he plans to apply to all his road frames. After each finished bike, he accompanies the customer on a first ride - to make sure everything is perfect.

De Kraker builds himself a personal bike every four years. The latest, shown at Bespoked 2024, pairs Enve SES 3.4 wheels with Campagnolo Super Record Wireless. In the Netherlands, he jokes, you don't need a 34-tooth cassette.