Pi Manson
Carrier Bicycle
Having been immersed in cycling from childhood, Pi Manson builds custom steel bicycles from his workshop in Bovey Tracey, under the name ‘Clandestine’. His approach is heavily influenced by classic British framebuilders from before him, in particular Bristol’s Robin Mather, who gave Pi his first start in framebuilding, and Dave Yates, who trained Mather. His work references this lineage most clearly with the fillet brazing he uses to join the tubes, performed with an oxy-acetylene gas torch and brass, in the traditional British style of single pass brazing. Pi leaves his fillet brazes raw and unfiled, a testament to the precise, clean brazing he achieves.
There are very few framebuilders left in the UK and the craft is on the Heritage Craft Association’s endangered list. ‘Clandestine’ is an attempt to tie another knot in the thread linking cycling’s heritage to its present. His approach to frame building is to focus on “beautiful utilitarianism”. His belief in the transformative power of the bicycle means he strives for pragmatic, durable bikes but always with elegant lines and an eye on maintaining traditional forms. He specialises in crafting on and off-road touring bicycles and is particularly well known for his luggage racks and cargo bikes.
Pi’s bicycles are made to measure, and sold internationally to the US, Japan, Australia and all over Europe. His work has won numerous awards at the UK’s handmade bicycle show, Bespoked, in 2018, 2019, and 2022. He was awarded the Bespoked Peer’s choice award in 2024.
Devon