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Spoken 2025: Bastion, Open, Sugarloaf, Devlin, and more
A first look at Open's new U.P.Per, Bastion's aero Archetype, a folding (yes) penny farthing, a new direction from Sugarloaf, and electronic drop-bar gearbox shifting. Plus a whole lot more.
Historically, the Australian bike show Spoken has leaned strongly toward the road end of the spectrum. And while that remains well-suited to the majority of spectators through the doors, it's also clear that there's increasingly something for everyone.
This year saw exhibitors bring the usual flashy road bikes, but among that was a mix of fresh gravel builds, long-travel mountain bikes, bikes for utility, bikes purely for fun, a few that push technical trends, and a sprinkling that keep the history of cycling alive.
In this second gallery (of four) from Spoken 2025, we'll take a look at the latest from Australian makers such as Bastion, Devlin, Sugarloaf, and Penny Farthing Dan. Plus, we get an early look at the brand new Open Cycles U.P.Per 2.0 gravel bike, some wild paint from Trek, electronic gearbox shifting from a drop bar, a track bike from a Japanese master builder, and more.
It's hard to believe that Bastion Cycles has been making custom bikes from carbon frame tubes and 3D-printed titanium lugs for a full decade. With that milestone, the Melbourne-based manufacturer has released its most significant update since its inception with the new Archetype road bike. While Bastion's previous models featured mostly round frame tubes, the new Archetype introduces modern aero shapes. Bastion produces the fork and handlebar/stem in-house, too. The finish quality on 3D-printed titanium objects has come a long way in just the past year or two. All the shiny pieces on this bike are created fully in-house by Bastion, starting with the titanium powder and ending as you see it. Clearly, the days of a grainy surface finish are limited. Such a high shine doesn't come easy and even with automated tumblers (vibration machines) now in use, there are countless hours involved to get such a finish. Extreme care is needed to avoid removing too much material. Bastion co-founder James Woolcock explained that achieving such a finish on the lugs was only made possible through purposeful design choices in concave shapes. Bastion produces its tubes with a hybrid approach, merging a prepreg base construction with a filament-wound outer layer to provide both the desired structural characterstics and woven aesthetic. This road-going frame features a UDH dropout and has tyre clearance up to 34 mm. Bastion's own 3D-printed titanium crank is featured on this bike along with an SRM powermeter spider. Also note that new SRAM Force E1 purple chain, something that Bastion co-founder Ben Schultz said was purely a coincidental match. A D-shaped integrated seatmast is seen on the new model. Bastion's pre-existing models remain available, including the ArchAngel with the decorative finishing in the lugs. Bastion's bikes start with carbon fibre tow and titanium powder. All printing and carbon assembly processes are done under a single roof. As you may expect, having such capability comes with significant operating expenses, which is certainly reflected in the premium price tag.
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From the bicycle equivalent of a supercar through to a hard-hitting steel full suspension, Spoken really has something for just about any bike geek. Here is the latest from Devlin Cycles. Devlin frames always have a lovely mix of function and form. It's easy to miss it, but note the sleeve lug that forms the pivot point of the rocker link. Sean Doyle of Devlin Cycles recently packed up his workshop in Queensland and moved to the gravity mountain bike park of Maydena, Tasmania. Doyle may be well placed to make long-travel full suspension frames, but he hasn't walked away from the drop-bar bikes where he began. This build features another product coming out of Maydena, the Pademelon steering damper. Founded by long-time product developer Jeremiah Boobar, the damper aims to keep a bike tracking as intended with far less effort from the rider.
