Luxury mobility, a custom bike made in France

Investing in a luxury bike like the ones offered by Maison Tamboite, a bike designer based out of a small workshop near the Bastille in Paris, is possible. We go there by appointment, like to the tailor. About fifteen measurements are necessary to make a bicycle perfectly adapted to a morphology and a type of practice.

In appearance, they are classic and timeless bikes for city or country rides. But it is much more than that. For an entry price of around €12,000, the bike is entirely handcrafted by a dozen artisans, from the lightweight steel frame to the pedals and cranks. The cables are even encased in leather and sewn by a furrier. Same as the saddle, obviously made to measure.

The wooden rims are shaped by a cabinetmaker and then reinforced with a carbon sleeve. Before final assembly, each metal element is polished by hand. The leathers are oiled and massaged, the woods are polished, nourished and treated, for a perfect finish.

It is not a purchase, but an investment.

In recent years, Maison Tamboite has gone electric, but without touching the design. The battery and motor are hidden in the rear wheel hub. Only a very attentive specialist will see this technological device created by the Italian Zehus.

You don’t even need to plug it in to recharge as it’s a regenerative system that automatically recharges the battery when you stop pedalling, like going downhill. And to choose the driving mode, this motor is connected to a smartphone through an application that also allows the bike to be geolocated. Obviously, the addition will increase a bit, but not the bike that will not weigh more than 15 kilos.

Who are Tamboite’s clients? Those who can afford it, of course. These are luxury pieces that attract the same clientele as the big watch and leather goods brands. In addition, Louis Vuitton commissioned the Maison Tamboite the task of designing its own. An exceptional model in a series limited to 22,000 euros.

But not all of Maison Tamboite’s clients are extremely wealthy. There are enthusiasts who save to be able to afford an exceptional piece for the price of a small thermal car. There are also those who will never find a bike in their size on the market, either because it is too small or too big.