The startup of small bike brands is alive and well in Europe. The latest is Overlap Bikes from Portugal, bringing us single speeds, fixies and internally geared bikes. Their unique approach is that they are only using Gates Carbon Drive belts for the drivetrain, citing the cleaner and quieter operation. Starting with just two stock models with options, they have already ventured into some very neat special editions…
Founders João and Miguel simply wanted to design and build their own bikes of their own designs. The frames appear to be a relatively standard AL7005 aluminum frames with a carbon fiber fork, but it’s the final details of the complete bike are what set them apart.
The Pura, starting at €1,850, has the options of handlebar style and color, with even any RAL color being an option for an upcharge. The Pura is what they call a “speeder” bike, which is a single speed road bike, using the Gates Belt Drive system.
What really sets the Pura apart is that it comes stock with a integrated GPS chip that can be used to track the bike in case of theft, and a Lightskin seatpost with integrated LED lights so you always have a tail light with you.
Called the Gentelmens Racer, this model keeps the same features (LED tail light and integrated GPS tracking) and adds a Shimano Alfine rear hub for those that want more than one speed. Starting at €2,250, it has the same options and color choices as the Pura.
For a few select customers, they have done some really unique special editions of the Pura. The Pura Criteriosa was built for a friend who was actually racing it in the Red Hook Crit. On the right, the Pura Gulf was inspired by the famous Porsche racing team using the same colors.
The Pura Gulf was built up with a carbon Cinelli Neos cockpit and custom painted 65g carbon fiber Gelu saddle, Rotor crankset, Rodi Air Evo front wheel and Overlap Feather 5 rear. The complete bike weighs an impressive 6.85kg (15.1lb).
While these two models don’t appear to be available for sale, they are a pretty cool exercise to show what the designers can do. Maybe they will be seen as production items in the future?
