Our pal Todd has an extensive history with bicycles. From a young age he’s been an ultra avid rider, has raced road and still to this day, despite being a family man that’s also often caught up with business, makes regular time to ride.

Over the past few years we had the fortune to service a few of his bikes which naturally meant we got to pick his brain about anything bikes. An integral figure in the early Chinese recreational bicycling scene he’s responsible for helping Trek get their foot in the door as well as cooperating to help build a bevy of local clubs, races and organizations.

His collection of bikes is also nothing to scoff at. Everything from custom hand built steel race frames to former pro race rigs we’ve seen and heard of half a dozen of his prized rides. And finally, we get to join the ranks.

Todd’s kept his eyes on Source Cycles before it was even a thing. From our earlier prototypes he waited until the moment was right to pick up his own ride. Naturally when he decided on his bike he went for something that spoke best of bamboo’s ride qualities. His choice? A custom 1×11 gravel bike.

A halfway point between a race-ready road bike and a versatile cyclocross machine, this bike was built for him in a size spec akin to his favorite bike while offering a ride quality that spoke to his desired attributes.

Fast and lean, this bike rides like a dream. With special cable routing it’s also prepared to be put through the mud without jamming up the shifting or brakes. Topped off with a selection of parts from his own personal collection it’s a bike unlike any other.

We just hope that this steed will find itself right at home amongst his stable. Because certainly there’s a little something about it that will make it stick out from the rest.