Brother Mehteh - Ian’s Custom Build

From the moment he rolled in, Ian was clear: he wanted a bike that could go everywhere, keep things simple, and be serviceable in the middle of nowhere. A bike that felt premium without being precious. And above all, a bike that reflected the kind of rider he is - detail-focused, practical, and ready for big days out.

The foundation is a Brother Mehteh in Black, paired with a Chris King headset because, well… it’s a Chris King headset. From there, it’s a careful blend of durability and refinement. Ian brought his own Shimano Ultegra 11-speed 50/34T crankset, opting for classic road gearing with the versatility to spin up long climbs. For braking, he chose TRP Spyre dual-pull mechanical calipers - not flashy, but beloved by tourers for a reason. Simple to tune, easy to fix, and rock-solid in all conditions.

The wheels? A thing of beauty. DT Swiss GR531 DB rims laced to Hope Pro 5 hubs - handbuilt by Wheelworks - designed to take years of kilometres in stride. Wrapped in Panaracer GravelKing SS+ 700 x 35 tyres, they strike that perfect middle ground between fast-rolling pavement speed and gravel grip.

Cockpit and contact points were another place Ian didn’t compromise: a Thomson stem and Thomson seatpost, plus the iconic Brooks B17 Special saddle - a forever saddle for a forever bike.

Over the weeks, parts trickled in - headset, stem, frame, tyres - with Ian checking in along the way. By the time the last piece arrived, the build had already developed a personality: purposeful, clean, understated, and meticulously thought through.

Ian’s Mehteh is a beautifully dialled, highly functional adventure machine built to last decades, not seasons.

He’s chuffed. We’re chuffed. And we can’t wait to see where it takes him.