Handsling Bikes is continuing to develop its manufacturing process with the unveiling of a state-of-the-art downdraft spray paint booth at its Hampshire workshop.
This step means the Oakhanger-based manufacturer of custom-built road, track and off-road bikes, has brought all frame painting and finishing in-house.
Carbon frames are now imported in a raw state from Handsling’s Shenzhen factory and finished in the UK, before being built into complete bikes.
This operational change means Handsling customers have access to a wider range of colour choices, as well as almost limitless customisation options.
There are few bike brands that can match Handsling’s 30 stock frame colours. And with frames painted to order on site, lead times will be reduced.
Simon Whiten, director of Handsling, said: “Every Handsling that leaves the workshop is custom built to a rider’s size and specifications, meaning no two bikes are the same. Being able to offer such a wide range of paint finishes and colours adds to the exclusivity of each bike.
“Bringing paint to the UK enables us to exercise even greater control over the end-to-end frame production process, resulting in better quality, better choice, and faster production of bikes.
“We want to thank our customers for their patience and understanding as we go through this major operational shift. As we get fully up to speed, we can ensure that the exact model, size and colour that a customer wants is always available.”
One of the main objectives behind bringing paint in-house is to better respond to supply issues in the post-covid world.
The booth itself was supplied by Staffordshire company Haltec.
The Airstream 1 Max Air spray booth oven is an enclosed unit with double skin insulated panels.
Key features include gridded raised floor extraction and air recirculation on the bake cycle for fuel economy.
The intake and extract system is made up of two direct drive fans. LED lighting is provided by high efficiency PCB boards.
An adjoining paint mixing room is also double insulated with extraction at bench and floor level.
Installing the booth required an overhaul of the workshop’s three-phase electricity supply, as well as specialist gas installation to the burner.
A separate standalone oven provides extra capacity for curing frames.
With the booth taking up a significant area of floorspace, Handsling is installing a new mezzanine level to provide sufficient space for bike building.
The company has also recruited qualified paint specialists and expanded its team of bike builders in anticipation of higher demand.
The paint team is being run by Kat Varga, a painter with decades of experience in spraying bicycles and motorcycles.
With her background in custom designs on Harley Davidson motorcycles, plans are in the works for customers to be able to request an array of personalised finishes and additions under Handsling’s soon to launch custom painting programme
Handsling has recently released four new models – the TSTRevo time trial/triathlon bike, the TR2evoP track pursuit bike, the TR2evoS track sprint bike, and the A1R0evoS lightweight road bike.
These will all be painted at the new facility, alongside the existing trio of frames, the A1R0evo road frame, the CEXevo cross/gravel frame, and the TR3evo track frame, in a variety of colours, including “flip” effects that change appearance in sunlight.
