Isla bikes

[whitestone]

Not a "tell me about them..." request.

I thought there was a thread about them stopping making bikes but a search shows that it was part of "Wiggle going into receivership" so...

GCN did a piece on Isla that came out yesterday (2024-07-13) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhnRE2g6Dmo

[boxelder]

Cheers Bob, I don't follow GCN, so probably wouldn't have seen this.

[belugabob]

We watched it yesterday - very inspirational and a refreshing change from other approaches to business

[voodoo_simon]

Cheers Bob, I don't follow GCN, so probably wouldn't have seen this.

I naively assumed GCN died when the subscription to the channel disappeared last December

[whitestone]

Cheers Bob, I don't follow GCN, so probably wouldn't have seen this.

I naively assumed GCN died when the subscription to the channel disappeared last December

I think that was GCN+. The core GCN plus racing has continued.

[godivatrailrider]

Fab video , thanks for sharing.
My stomping ground, High Vinnals is a stiff old climb from Ludlow.

Isla was, somewhat unlikely-y, the first person we met when we arrived in Ludlow, having collected the keys to the house, she was stood outside the house looking for an address when we pulled up. She was on a cargo bike delivering for Myriad Organics.
Seen her about a few times since, lovely person. vaguely exciting bikes, my kids had them.

[RobLyon]

Interesting video, I always thought the bikes were expensive and over rated but I didn't really give her the credit for moving the game on.

I'm not sure I buy into the Paediatrician story though, he must have been a cyclist looking at bikes for his kids, not just a random Dr. I find it hard to believe he asked the parents what bikes the injured kids rode and then noticed that none of them said Isla bikes. It has made me check the grips on my son's and nephews bikes though.

[fatbikephil]

Good that, cheers for finding Bob. I wonder if she will make me a stainless steel SS gravel frame?

[sean_iow]

Good that, cheers for finding Bob. I wonder if she will make me a stainless steel SS gravel frame?

She might, she did her HT550 ITT single speed. I think she holds the ladies ss record.

If you want a custom frame the guy who used to build the prototypes at Islabikes is now working for himself, can't remember his name right now.... he was one of the other 2 singlespeeders I stayed at the bothy with in 2019, he built both their frames.

Edit, I've remembered who it is

https://www.temeframeworks.co.uk/

[fatbikephil]

I bumped into her a couple of times, her bike was quite the thing - 28/22 gear which I was jealous of on some of the headwindy climbs!

I think I'm too tight for a custom frame

[GregMay]

I had the joy of taking Isla out for a tour of Calderdale once, very memorable day. Both of us riding SS, with Tracey Mosley and her partner on gears. I was riding well (racing a lot and fit), she had at least 10 years on me, and it was a day of chase the whippet up the hills for me, then struggle to keep up with Tracey on the downs. Possibly one of the best days I've had locally with two of the best female MTB riders the country had produced (at that time) . One of the few times I've been properly schooled in my own backyard climbs as well. Only other time was riding with Mike.

Inevitable tea, cake, bike chatting ensued and it was a wonderful chance to talk about the why of Islabikes.

Daughter is on her third Islabike now. There'll be a fourth bought at some point. Used, loved, but designed well.