An innovative bicycle designed specifically for city riding. Custom designed and built by hand, one at a time, in San Francisco.
Hi
My name is Emmanuel Eng and I need your help to move my newest bicycle frame, the Sutro, into production. I developed the Sutro in collaboration with Mission Bicycle Company to serve as the most practical and elegant geared city bike available.
The Bike
The Sutro was designed by and for city cyclists to be ridden everyday and everywhere. We took the simplicity of a single speed bike and added the versatility of a Shimano multi-geared internal hub. Then to achieve a clean aesthetic we routed the brake and shifter cables through the frame.
Sutro with 8-speed Shimano Alfine Hub
8-Speed Internal Hub
Our first bike, the Valencia, was designed around the simplicity and dependability of single speed riding. It was our answer to the clunky, heavy and unreliable bikes marketed for the city. However, we knew one gear wasn't the solution for every rider.
So we searched for an alternative that offered the flexibility of a fully geared bike while retaining the ease of riding and near zero maintenance we'd already developed. We fell in love with the mechanical wizardry of the Shimano internal multi-geared hubs and the potential they offered.
8-gears enclosed inside the rear hub
These hubs allow a simple setup while providing a huge gear range completely enclosed inside the rear wheel. Free of complicated and delicate external parts, they are resilient and practically maintenance free. No dropped chains. No crossed gears. No more derailleur adjustment.
A single bar mounted shifter simplifies the process
Internal Cable Routing
We've routed the cables for the shifter and the rear brake inside the tubing of the bike, creating a clean and elegant appearance. Just another way we've seamlessly married the form and function of this bicycle design.
Brake and shifter cables entering the frame
Materials
We build this bike out of 4130 chromoly steel for its high strength, low weight and durability. Steel is the most resilient choice for city bikes as it takes the daily abuse of riding better than any other frame material. Meanwhile, at 24 pounds, it's light enough to hoist up a few flights of stairs.
Strong and lightweight steel
Design and Build
Using the Sutro as the canvas, each bicycle is custom designed by each rider, anywhere in the world, and built one at a time by Mission Bicycle Company. The experienced staff and curated components will help you turn this innovative frame into a bike specific to your needs. No experience necessary.
Choose from hundreds of frame colors
Our Story
Eman Eng: I’ve put the torch to dozens of different frame designs and I’ve ridden each one through the streets of San Francisco in pursuit of the perfect city bike. Each success was assimilated into the next design and after many years and many miles the Sutro was born.
Mission Bicycle Company: We began with a simple premise, give people the bicycle they want and they'll ride. Each bike is custom designed by each rider and then hand built right here in San Francisco.
Next Steps
With your support we are going to release the Sutro out into the world. If we meet our goal the frame will go into production and all backers will receive their rewards. If we don’t hit our funding target, no money changes hands. To reach our goal we are giving you the opportunity to be among the first riders of the Sutro and to do so with great incentives.
Complete Bicycle Backers Please Note: The complete bicycle reward at $1,234 includes customization of standard components and colors. Further customization and upgrades are welcomed and available, but not included.
FAQ
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Yes! Thanks to our Kickstarter backers we can now offer the Sutro direct via Mission Bicycle Company. We are accepting presell orders now for fulfillment in August 2012. Please visit https://www.missionbicycle.com/store/sutro-presell-deposit for more info.
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The Sutro frame was conceived to have only what was essential. Since there are many ways to add fenders, racks, bottle cages, etc... without eyelets or braze-ons we choose to leave them off. If you're interested in adding any of those accessories we'd be happy to help.
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50, 53, 56, 59, 62cm
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We'd be happy to ship the postcard, offset poster, T-shirt and screen print to Australia. Unfortunately at this time we can not send bikes or framesets as the package is too large.
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The balance will be due when your bike is completed. We aim to start delivering complete Sutros in June 2012.
170
Backers
$66,875
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Mar 10, 2012 -
Apr 9, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 1 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: missionbicycle.com
Pledge $6 or more
29 backers
A hand written Sutro postcard sticker featuring a custom illustration by artist Hugh D'Andrade. (Add $1 for international shipping to your pledge amount)
Estimated delivery: May 2012Pledge $20 or more
10 backers
A custom poster for this project with Hugh's illustration. (Add $20 for international shipping to your pledge amount)
Estimated delivery: May 2012Pledge $29 or more
30 backers
A custom American Apparel T-Shirt designed for this project with Hugh's illustration. (Add $12 for international shipping to your pledge amount)
Estimated delivery: May 2012Pledge $55 or more
6 backers
All three of the rewards above. (Add $20 for international shipping to your pledge amount)
Estimated delivery: May 2012Pledge $75 or more
4 backers Limited (46 of 50 left)
A hand numbered, custom screen print designed exclusively for this project with Hugh's illustration. (Add $20 for international shipping to your pledge amount)
Estimated delivery: May 2012Pledge $400 or more
4 backers
Priority access to the first Sutro framesets off the production line ($349), including custom powder coat finish ($75), any of 100 colors, PLUS free domestic shipping ($40), PLUS you get the poster ($20). Total value $484. (Add $20 for international shipping to your pledge amount, subtract $40 if you can pick up in store.)
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $500 or more
12 backers
Deposit on a complete Sutro bicycle, PLUS a private design appointment, PLUS a jump to the front of the line pass ensuring your bike is among the first built, PLUS the poster. (Please note, $500 is only the deposit. Total value of bike will vary depending on your design choices. Shipping not included. Contact with any questions.)
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $1,234 or more
45 backers
Complete custom 8-speed Sutro bicycle in the color of your choice, with custom wheels and high quality curated components ($1,325) PLUS a private design appointment PLUS we'll put you at the front of the build line ($100 Rush) PLUS the poster ($20). Total value $1,445. (Add $90 for domestic shipping or $200 for international shipping to your pledge amount).
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $10,000 or more
0 backers
A fleet of 8 custom 8-Speed Sutro bicycles branded for your company PLUS you get a framed copy of the silk screen print. If you're in San Francisco our staff will bike party ride to your front door. If you live elsewhere, please contact us first to discuss delivery options.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
