Question 1

What is VeloVelo?

Accepted Answer

VeloVelo is the home of handmade bicycles — a searchable archive of independent framebuilders, their bikes, their workshops, and the craft behind them, alongside stories and news from the framebuilding world.

Question 2

Who is VeloVelo for?

Accepted Answer

VeloVelo is for independent framebuilders, wheel builders, component makers, and custom painters — plus the riders who collect and ride their work. If you handcraft bicycles or cycling goods, or you care about owning a frame built by someone who does, you belong here.

Question 3

What makes VeloVelo different from Instagram or Etsy?

Accepted Answer

VeloVelo is made for custom bike craft, not for feeds. A curated archive of real framebuilders and their workshops. Builders keep their rider relationships — no feed decides who sees your work. Scheduled releases give loyal riders the first look. Your listings, your records, and your story live in one place.

Question 4

Can I buy a frame directly from a framebuilder on VeloVelo?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that's the heart of it. Reach out through a workshop page, talk with the builder about your fit and your riding, and commission the frame from there. Beyond custom frames (road, gravel, mountain, track), builders also offer forks and frame components, custom wheels and wheelsets, handlebars, stems, and seatposts, custom paint and finishes, cycling accessories and apparel, plus used and trade items and Wanted Board postings.

Question 5

How does following a builder work?

Accepted Answer

Each framebuilder keeps their own circle of riders. Builders invite riders directly, or riders can ask to follow from the builder's workshop page. The builder approves each new follower, keeping the circle curated and genuine.

Question 6

How do riders start following a builder?

Accepted Answer

Through a builder's invite link, or by asking to follow from the builder's page. Each builder approves their own riders personally.

Question 7

Can a rider follow more than one builder?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Riders can follow and buy from as many builders as they like. Each builder manages their own relationship with that rider independently.

Question 8

Is my follower data really mine?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your records — contacts, notes, purchase history, and activity — stay private to you. No other builder or rider can see them, and VeloVelo never sells or shares your data.

Question 9

How does early access to new frames work?

Accepted Answer

Framebuilders can offer their most devoted followers the first look at new work. When a builder you follow announces a new frame, the riders who have followed them longest get first access.

Question 10

How does early access work on a release?

Accepted Answer

When a framebuilder schedules a release, the riders who have been with them longest get in first — typically 60 minutes before the public launch — followed by their regular riders, typically 30 minutes before. Everyone else gets in at the public launch time. When the allocation is gone, it's gone — rewarding the riders who have been there longest.

Question 11

Who decides which riders get early access?

Accepted Answer

The builder decides. Early access reflects their relationship with that rider — it's earned through loyalty to that specific builder, never bought.

Question 12

Is it free to browse the archive?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Browsing the archive is free, and there's no membership required to follow builders or purchase their work.

Question 13

How does a framebuilder join VeloVelo?

Accepted Answer

Builders join through an application. Head to the "Build with Us" page, tell us about your work and your workshop, and our team reviews it. We keep the archive focused on genuine framebuilders and component makers.

Question 14

What happens after I apply?

Accepted Answer

Our team reviews your application and responds by email. Once approved, you'll set up your workshop page — branding, bio, specialties, and your custom shop URL — then you can start listing frames, scheduling releases, and inviting riders.

Question 15

What do I get as a builder?

Accepted Answer

A dedicated workshop page, your rider records, scheduled releases with early access, inventory management, order tracking, and payout handling. Everything you need to run a custom frame business in one place.

Question 16

Do I need a Stripe account?

Accepted Answer

VeloVelo uses Stripe for payment processing. You'll connect a Stripe account to receive payouts, set up directly from your workshop dashboard.

Question 17

What is the Founding Builder program?

Accepted Answer

The Founding Builder program honors the first framebuilders who join VeloVelo. Founding Builders carry a permanent badge on their workshop page, are recognized across the site, and are the first to see what we build next.

Question 18

How do I become a Founding Builder?

Accepted Answer

Founding Builder status is offered to qualifying builders who join during our founding window. Apply through "Build with Us" and our team will let you know if you qualify during onboarding.

Question 19

What's the difference between a Founding Builder and a regular builder?

Accepted Answer

Founding Builders carry a permanent "Founding Maker" badge, receive priority support and first looks at new tools, and are recognized as the makers who helped launch VeloVelo. Every builder gets the full workshop toolkit — the founding designation simply marks being among the first.

Question 20

Is VeloVelo mobile-friendly?

Accepted Answer

Yes. VeloVelo works in any modern mobile or desktop browser.

Question 21

Can I update my workshop's availability and listings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You control your workshop's listings and availability in full — with SKU tracking if you use it — and when an order comes in, your quantities adjust automatically.

Question 22

What is a frame release?

Accepted Answer

A frame release is a builder putting a new frame — or a limited production run — up at a set date, time, and quantity, first announced to their followers. Your most loyal riders get first access, and when the allocation is gone, it's gone.

Question 23

How do I contact support?

Accepted Answer

Email team@velovelo.bike for any questions or support needs.

Custom Frame Builders in Japan

Cherubim (ケルビム)

CORNER Bikes (Soukawa Garage / ソウカワガレージ)

Equilibrium Cycleworks (エクイリブリウム)

Kalavinka (カラビンカ / Tsukumo Cycle Sports)

Kualis Cycles (クアリスサイクルズ)

Toei Cyclery (Toeisha / 東エイ社)