An unexpected but altogether pleasant surprise was finding the Baum Cycles Eurobike booth.

Darren Baum made the trip from Geelong, Australia with a selection of his road and MTB models, supported by wife Prue,  business partner Peter and father-in-law and tag-along tourist Alan.

Darren has been in framebuilding since 1990, getting his start as apprentice to Brian Cross in Melbourne, Australia. He came to building with a background in aircraft engineering and was already a skilled TIG welder, so soon found his framebuilding legs.  His early work under Brian's tutelage featured pressed lugs,  legendary Reynolds 753  tubes and silver brazing.

A few years later, he put the experience gained in aircraft engineering to good use and was one of the first in Australia to work with Henry James-produced stainless-steel lugs and dropouts.

Frames bearing the 'Baum' name first appeared in 1996.  Initially working in steel and cast lugs, he added  fillet-brazed frames a year later and, in 1998,  expanded his repertoire by introducing TIG welded frames to his range, producing both steel and aluminium models.

In 2002, Darren made his first forays into titanium frame construction.  This led to the development of his unique method of butting the Grade 9 titanium tubes specific to both the riders' needs and the desired ride characteristics of the bike.  Today its his titanium models, such as the to-die-for Corretto (sittng at the top of the range), that draws a sizeable and appreciative audience in Europe.  However, there's still plenty of room for steel models in the Baum Cycles range - including the race-ready Ristretto and (on show at Eurobike) the beautiful Espresso - an S&S-coupled touring model, which drew huge amounts of praise and admiration at the Show. (see below)

As well as a fine attention to detail in his skilful  construction and an undoubted sense of style in presenting his work, Baum places great emphasis on fitting the bike to the rider – not the rider to the bike –  which after all, is the essence of the whole custom bike ethos.

It's a point often overlooked - even misunderstood - by some of todays emerging frame builders. 

It is however,  a vital part in the procces of designing and building a custom bike - one that  Darren clearly understands and has fully mastered.  Thanks to his expertise and ability to build  bikes that not only look good, but (more importantly)  fit perfectly and ride great,  Baum has built up a reputation as one of the finest framebuilders around; not only in his native Geelong, but on the world stage.

I'll let the images speak for themselves:

 (click to SUPERSIZE)

 A Baum Corretto  on show at Eurobike.

  A Baum full-custom Romano model

Travelling First Class:

Darren's Espresso model

 Another shot of Espresso!!

The Baum Cubano  MTB

Despite an abundance of carbon frames

at Eurobike, Carbonsports of Germany

chose a Baum Ti Corretto to show off the

best of their carbon hardware.

 Welding doesn't come much better than this!

Darren used the time at Eurobike wisely,

networking with like-minded builders and

connecting with European contacts.

Website :

BAUM CYCLES