Alex Cook of A-train Cycles likes tools as much as he likes bikes. The Minneapolis builder recently invested in a Swiss made Interapid test indicator, which gauges deviations to around .0005 inches. He uses it to measure the bow in stainless steel tubes before he turns them into a bicycle frame—which is a gauge of the attention he pays to each build, and the passion he has for his craft.

The 2013 NAHBS saw Alex debut at the New Builder Table with a stainless steel 29er MTB that proved to be one of the most clicked-on bikes of 2013. Quite deservedly, too, because while it looked like a simple enough single speeder, the frame was an exemplary example of bi-lam construction, belying his 5-year framebuilding experience and age of 25 years.

Fast-forward a few months and the A-train is building up steam, appealing to riders who appreciate the qualities of a custom stainless frame: the tradition of steel combined with the resilience of titanium. Alex’s big-tire roadie is a mix of Reynolds 931 and KVA Stainless, has eyelets for both rear rack and full coverage fenders and an Enve cross fork with custom fender eyelets from Ruckus Composites.

Contact Alex through the A-train Cycles website.







