It has been quite some time since we’ve reported on the work of Prague-based handmade steel bike builder Repete Cycles. But after a few years on hiatus, the brand is back and going strong – with a new laser focus on building high-quality production steel road & gravel bikes, and delivering a remastered individual experience for cyclists looking for a unique bike.
Repete Cycles returns with premium steel bikes, made in Prague
Last summer, we got an invitation for a preview of their imminent relaunch after a few years of restructuring, as they moved away from creating one bike at a time towards small batch production that still allowed some buyer customization. Now with those two core models the road Reason & gravel Verne, Repete has added a Decode Your Individuality custom finish option to their catalog.
We also got the chance to ride the Reason & Verne a bit, and will have a detailed review of the gravel bike soon, plus some road impressions, as well…
So, what’s really new at Repete Cycles these days?
Basically everything. While still operated by the same pair of young Czech owners, the company has taken a major shift in development. Since 2015, when they won Best Road Bike at NAHBS, they’ve changed their logo, found a new & bigger workshop, and changed their philosophy & approach to handmade frame building. What started as a high-end steel handmade silver-brazed frames, has evolved into a mix of welded & brazed tech, still all made by hand in Prague, plus more affordable complete bike builds and more regular options.
Workshop, materials & technologies
Tucked into the center of a block in one of Prague’s old residential areas, Repete’s new workshop is actually fittingly located in old steel machine shop complex. The well-lit and more spacious work shop is a big step up from their prior basement shop, giving them more opportunity to focus in the details as they cut, miter & weld batches of chainstay assemblies and complete frames – before brazing in the finishing touches. It also allowed them more space to work on details like the 3D printed internal cable routing guides that they developed and produce in-house.
All-new handmade Repete Cycles steel road & gravel bikes
The new lineup essentially trims the catalogue, axing the track bike – to the current offer of just two bike models. The first is Repete’s pure and clean road bike missile – the R2: Reason. The second for more riding options and styles – the G2: Verne is a more versatile mixed surface bike, call it gravel or all-road depending on the build. The same core frame material is shared by both – a premium Columbus Spirit HSS lightweight steel tubeset for either bikes.
Repete R2: Reason steel road bike
Based on a responsively stiff but comfortable steel frame, this bike is undoubtedly meant to be fast ride. It has pretty much all you would expect from a pure modern lightweight steel road bike. Maximum tire clearance is 700x28mm for efficient riding over most paved roads, with a 1.5″ tapered head tube, flat mount disc brakes, and 12mm thru-axles that balance handling precision and control whether accelerating or braking.
The Reason is offered in six frame sizes (50-60cm), three standard paint schemes – mint, mustard, or petrol – and several complete build options set up configurations, including Shimano Ultegra, Ultegra Di2, Campagnolo Chorus or Record. Frameset pricing starts at 2800€ for a frameset, complete bikes from 4500€ up to the 6900€ Campagnolo Record 12 build.
Repete G2: Verne steel gravel bike
Not so different from its purist road brother at first sight, Verne reveals its value and versatility where the pavement ends.
Its frame design allows the use of up to 700x40mm or 650x47mm tires, with a tough frame + fork match to handle any terrain. This gravel / all-road model comes in its own six stock size (50-60cm), two standard paint jobs – olive or brown, and two build configurations of either Shimano Ultegra or Campagnolo Chorus mechanical. The frameset is a bit cheaper at 2600€ for a frameset, going to 4200€ with Ultegra or 4600€ with Campy.
We actually spent the better part of a cold & wet season riding this Verne, and will have a complete review and thorough breakdown of its details and riding character in the upcoming weeks.
Decode Your Individuality – Repete’s new color customization
Beyond those few standard, muted earth-tone paint jobs, just this week Repete has launched a new Decode Your Individuality option. Essentially, Repete recognizes that many cyclists want something unique when they buy a premium steel bike. And since all their bikes are made & painted locally, Repete decided to offer color customization.
For just an extra 200€, they with take their same standard bike’s graphic design and reimagine it in your favorite color to suit your style. Available colors are based on RAL color codes, and Repete will work with each buyer for accent & black or white logo colors.
Decode custom colors don’t add any extra time to getting your bike – sticking with their regular 6-8 week delivery schedule.
