Forged by hand, driven by passion.
Don Walker cycles is a one-man shop with a solid reputation for building high performance
bicycle frames. Each frame is handcrafted from start to finish using only the highest quality
materials available today. I currently offer road, track, tandem, cross, mountain, and single
speed frames and complete bicycles. I stay up-to-date on the latest advances in technology
and that carries over to my philosophy of building frames. From my selection of dropouts to
tubing, you have a variety of options to create a one-of-a kind, efficient, comfortable,
beautiful machine that blends with your body type and size.
My design experience comes from 10 years as a competitive cyclist with an emphasis on
track racing. Riders who trust Don Walker Cycles to give them the ultimate in cycling
performance have won numerous District, State, National and International competitions,
including the Olympics and Union Cycliste Internationale Track World Championships.
My manufacturing experience starts with me being an aircraft mechanic my entire adult life.
I have worked on some of the most advanced technological aircraft in the world including
the United States Air Force’s B1-b, B-2 and even Navy P3 aircraft. My resume also includes
the Learjet model 45 and Challenger 300 series, the most technologically advanced
corporate business jets. In addition to my aircraft experience, I became a certified
welder in 1992. And have also mastered the art of fillet brazing, a
technique that makes the tubes look seamlessly connected.
sabre
The Sabre is the workhorse for road cycling. Incredibly verstaile for road
races, criteriums or your local group ride, the Sabre is comfortable and
stiff at the same time, allowing all your energy to propel you forward.
It can be built mild or wild with tubing selections from Columbus, True
Temper, Kaisei or Reynolds, including aero downtubes and seatstays
(upon request). One thing is for sure, people will take note of how fast
and beautiful your Sabre is!
Specifications:
• 56 cm frame
• Fillet brazed of Reynolds 853 throughout with the exception of the 725 chainstays.
• Paragon 44 mm headtube with internal headseat
• Hooded dropouts are standard on this model
• Di2 optional for an additional $50
The Sabre-2 begins at $2,400 for frame and fork
SABRE-2
The Sabre-2 is an Integrated Seat Mast high performance road bike.
It can be built mild or wild with tubing selections from Columbus, True
Temper, Kaisei or Reynolds. But one thing always remains constant, the
Custom Drawn for Don Walker Cycles, Reynolds seattube. It was drawn
in 631 and butted specifically for using as an integrated seat mast.
Unlike other brands who use seat mast “toppers,” or an external post, I
use an internal post with a seat collar. I do this for a few reasons: one, it
can be very easily replaced at any local bike shop should it ever fail, and
two, if you ever decide to sell your bike, the seat tube can always be cut
down to accommodate the new owner.
Specifications:
• 63 cm (effective) seattube
• 59.5 cm toptube
• Columbus Life OS tubing throughout
• Reynolds 631 seattube
• Fillet brazed throughout
The Sabre begins at $2,600 for frame and fork
Epee
The Epee is no ordinary bike. It combines the fun and agile aspects of road cycyling with only one speed, fixed or
freewheel. The Epee can be built in either lugged (as shown) or lugless fillet brazed. The Epee can be built with tubing
selections from Columbus, True Temper, Kaisei or Reynolds with lugs from a variety of manufacturers to suit your
personal taste.
Specifications:
• Lugged 53 cm with matching steel fork
• Columbus Zona tubing throughout
The Epee begins at $2,400
katana
The Katana is my lugged track bike. Mainly inspired by the famed Keirin builders of Japan. This bike is as classic looking
as it is riding. The lugs are sourced right from Japan and the tubing is NJS certified from Columbus, Reynolds or Kaisei.
Nothing says style and serious speed like the Katana.
Specifications:
• 56 cm Lugged frame and fork utilizing all Kalavinka parts throughout
• Silver brazed to Columbus Spirit Keirin tubing
The Katana begins at $2,500
rapier
The Rapier is the all-out performance track bike. It is made with one thing in mind:
slashing your way across the finish line first. The tubing is hand selected from suppliers such as Columbus, Reynolds, True Temper, Dedacciai and Kaisei. With virtually hundreds of variations to choose from, your Rapier will be the fastest and best
looking bike on the track. From its smooth acceleration, to always stable handling
at any speed, the Rapier is ready for battle on any velodrome in the world. The
Rapier is custom to your event, so there is no standard geometry.
Specifications (on model shown):
• 53 cm x 57 cm toptube
• Reynolds 853 fillet brazed throughout, with the exception of 725 chainstays
• Paragon 44 mm headtube
• Inset style headseat coupled to a Pro-Lite Aero Carbon-Fiber track fork
• Paul Comp dropouts with adjusters
The Rapier begins at $2,600
spatha
The Spatha is the take-no-prisoners Cyclo-Cross bike. You’ll need to search long and
hard to find anything that performs as well in the heavy mud, off camber corners or
deep sand while looking as elegant as the Spatha. Tested on the always tough courses
in the Ohio Valley Cyclo-X series (OVCX) and proven to be a winner time and time
again, The Spatha delivers in beauty and performance with a smooth, comfortable ride
whatever the course. The tubing is hand selected from suppliers such as Columbus,
Reynolds and Dedacciai. Quick, yet very stable handling and a balance of fine
aesthetics make this cross bike a solid podium contender.
Specifications (on model shown):
• Don Walker Cycles Racing Team Edition
• 53 cm (effective) toptube
• Reynolds 853 fillet brazed throughout
• Paragon 44 mm headtube with inset style headset coupled to a Ritchey WCS CarbonFiber Cross fork
• Hooded type vertical dropouts are standard
The Spatha begins at $2,500
gladius
The Gladius is, for lack of a better word . . . a badass. If you race cross
with only one gear, you are a badass yourself and need a bike that can
keep up with you. The Gladius is just that – its lean and mean and will
allow you to push yourself to the limit while you push past the competition. As always, the tubing selection is hand selected from suppliers
such as Columbus, Reynolds and Dedacciai. The Gladius is meant to
be still on the bottom end so all the torque put out transfers your energy
directly forward. Coupled with agile handling and a perfect aesthetic,
this Badass will turn heads as you fly on to victory.
Specifications (on model shown):
• Don Walker Cycles Racing Team Edition
• 56 cm Reynolds 853 fillet brazed throughout
• Paragon 44 mm headtube and inset upper and external lower headseat with
tapered carbon fiber fork from a variety of makers is standard
• Hooded horizontal dropouts are standard
The Gladius begins at $2,495
vintage series
There is no sword name that can justify such a vast range of bikes.
Road, track or tandems can all be done in the Vintage Series.
When you want a show stopper, Vintage is the way to go. All parts
are sourced as closely to the original specifications as possible or
even fabricated to maintain the look of any specific era. Tubing
selection is limited to Columbus, Reynolds and True Temper (for
the early 90s “Velo” bikes). Vintage lugs are sometimes available
and used when requested. So pick an era and your favorite bike
and I will do what it takes to make your dream machine!
Specifications (on model shown):
• Circa 1950s Stayer bike
• 55 cm fillet brazed Columbus SP throughout
• Stem, stem support and post support all fabricated in house
The Vintage Series begins at $3,500
claymore
The Claymore is named after the Scottish highland sword, and is sometimes twice
long as a man, so it was a no-brainer that this was the new name for my tandem
bike. Even though they’re not always made for racing, each Claymore is designed
for you and your partner with comfort and performance in mind. Whether cruising on
your local club ride or sprinting against another team on the velodrome, the
Claymore is a head-turner wherever it goes. The tubing is hand selected from
suppliers such as Reynolds, Columbus, True Temper or 4130 Cro-Moly and forks
can either be created by me personally or supplied by a few of the best tandem fork
makers in the world of carbon fiber. The Claymore is always as pretty as it is fast.
Specifications (on model shown):
• Track Claymore, with mix of Columbus, Reynolds and 4130 tubing
• Fillet brazed throughout
• Paragon 44 headtubes and dropout selection are all custom made and chosen by the customer
The Claymore begins at $4,650 for road and $4,400 for track with frame and fork
How to order
Q Deposit
A $500 non-refundable deposit gets you in queue.
Q Consultation
Discussion of what you want in your bike’s performance and aesthetics.
Q Fitting
A personalized session can be done, or if you are a more advanced cyclist, you can
give me your contact points and I will determine your best fit.
Q Frame design
A BikeCAD drawing will be made with the measurements that are predetermined. At this time, we will go over tube diameters, geometry, bike
handling characteristics and even paint design.
Q Tube selection
I will hand select each tube in your frame, based on our consultation.
Q Construction
I will cut, miter, fit, braze and align the tubes that will comprise your new frame.
Q Finish
The clean up, sanding and finishing of the joints is done to ensure perfectly smooth
fillets.
Q Prep
Reaming, facing, chasing and slotting of the seattube.
Q Paint
Sent to our painter who makes the frames look sexy.
Q Assembly
The bike comes back from paint and is built up with the parts of your choice.
Q Ride
Just ride it!
Choose from quality
tubing:
• Reynolds
• Columbus
• Kaisei
• True Temper
• Deda
Build kits by:
• Shimano
• SRAM
• Campagnolo
“Don Walker handmade bikes have been proven at
the highest level of competition.”
4104 Grimes Cove
Buckner, KY 40010
502-424-2225
[email protected]