Bridge Bike Works

Mike and Frank in their Toronto manufacturing facility.

Where did the idea of Bridge originate?

My career has focused on starting manufacturing companies in the consumer outdoor products space. In 2009, having been hired as one of the first employees of a technology start-up as a business admin, I quickly transitioned into product development management. I loved collaborating with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers on constant problem solving. The Chief Engineer and I then founded TriggerTech, where we created and launched the world’s first frictionless trigger. Next, I started a company building fully carbon fiber powerboats and developed a deep passion for composites. After parting ways in 2019, I sought my next venture, one where I could be the end user and enjoy the entire cycle from ideation through development, sales, and personal use. Cycling stood out. Research showed almost no fully carbon fiber bike frames were being made in Canada, so I decided the opportunity was there to make them.

As an early customer of Mike’s, he was the first person I thought of as a much needed partner.

Mike has made a life centred on all things bikes. He practiced law briefly, then left to pursue his passion. In 2012 he founded Blacksmith Cycle, growing it into one of the world’s most respected custom bicycle design studios. Over the past 15 years he has sold, distributed and collaborated with top brands from concept to launch, earning recognition from Campagnolo, Columbus, and Silca at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. He helped pioneer gravel cycling in North America, designing the first Mosaic GT-1 titanium gravel bike.

We met for a beer and immediately connected. And as the universe aligns sometimes, he was also looking into how to get involved with a cycling manufacturing company. Timing, interests, personalities and skill sets matched very well. From there it wasn’t really if, it was just when.

What is the meaning of the name Bridge and how does it relate to cycling?

Naming a company is one of the more exciting parts of starting a company. Everything feels so fresh and as soon as you can label it, it feels like it’s starting to be something. Mike and I were going back and forth for months on lists of names. We’re both rather particular.

As I was researching the history of bicycle manufacturing and frame making, I read a book called The Modern Bicycle and its Components, written in the late 19th century! There was a quote that said, “The frame is a bridge on wheels, built to carry people over the ground”. And that just struck me. It checked a lot of boxes. It wasn’t trying to sound European. It had a philosophy behind it. And as our continued focus is technological excellence, a bridge shared a lot of the engineering meaning we desired.

What was the inspiration for Bridge? What continues to inspire Bridge?

Prove that we can make a better bike here. Our formula for this is to do it the hard way. By doing it the hard way, the knowledge becomes priceless. And then you just have to survive long enough to cash the knowledge dividends while creating a smoothly operating machine. The same inspiration motivates us to make it a going concern with a permanent place on the map. We are here to prove a bike can be designed, engineered and built right here in Canada to provide consumers with a better option, one that supports local manufacturing and employees, without any downsides to the rider in terms of performance.

What was a major struggle and how did you persevere?

The struggle never ends, it just changes from silo to silo and kind of goes around in a circle, hopefully up and to the right! The biggest struggle, I think with all young companies, is cashflow. All other elements we structured so that we can control them. Cashflow is the uncontrollable factor needing a healthy mix of the right decisions combined with luck… perhaps especially so at the beginning.

What are three words you would use to describe yourself and the Bridge Team as a whole?How do these shape your approach to your business?

Diligent. Honest. Hardworking.

We have posters around the shop that keep us aiming at the places we want to go.

Check all ego at the door

Doing leads to answers

Structure your ideas

Perfection can be the enemy of progress

Attention to detail is the rule

What is unique to the Bridge Bike building process and what separates you from the competition?

Many of the processes that we have either implemented or learned how to, are common in the composites and aerospace industry. The main difference is that we do almost everything ourselves, including making most of our consumables in-house as well.

The unique factor comes into play with respect to what happens when you do most all of the things you need to do yourselves. You end up knowing your processes, products and people incredibly well. This can lead to innovations or process improvements that would not be otherwise possible. Like anything, it has downsides. Sometimes you can be too close to everything.

What is the most important part of Bridge? (People, process, materials, design?)

People. We aren’t anything without their dedication and support, both with respect to co-workers and customers and shareholders. However, with these people, we both expect to make the thing we said, as well as be there for the ones who support us. So, process and product are clearly critical.

What do you look forward to most in the future?

Proving to our team and supporters that we did it and will keep doing it.

Bridge Bike works