Raven Cycles: The Road to Custom-Built Bikes

Among the restaurants of Malingap exists Raven Cycles, a compact but well-lit four year old bike shop. Its space does not justify the number of bicycle frames and accessories displayed but its aesthetic works perfectly to the brand it submits. Standing by the wall counter is store owner Ben Bartolome. Long-haired and dressed in black, Ben welcomes TeamManila with his brother and nephew who were busy working on a dismantled bicycle. Two bikers arrive who unsurprisingly address Ben by first name – there is familiarity between them, as if they see each other every day; it was a regular picture for the store even on a quiet weekday.

TeamManila talks to Ben Bartolome about Raven Cycles formation and modified approach. From its online roots to the idea of expanding customized bikes, know more about Raven Cycles below.

FROM ONLINE TO SHOP

Technology and hardwork paid a big part on Raven Cycles’ beginnings “Nagstart ako online way back 2003 or 2004” Ben shares. “Galing akong Taiwan noon at ako ‘yung nag-manage ng computer shop ng Ate ko sa bahay namin sa Novaliches. Syempre online ako lagi so ‘yung mga bike item na galing sa Taiwan at gusto ko na i-dispatch, binuy and sell ko.” Online selling was thriving back then and Ben’s timing was just perfect. His efforts developed into a small store at the Kiosk in UP Diliman from 2005 to 2009. “Tambayan ‘yun ng bikers dati at doon din nabuo ‘yung grupo namin.”

Fortunately, word on Raven Cycles spread and his current store in Malingap opened. “Etong store magfo-four years palang. Eto ‘yung first physical store pero sa bahay meron din. Maliit lang siya, sa garahe namin nakalagay ‘yung tinda.”

Raven Cycles developed into a business that welcomed all kinds of bikers from different walks of life. New and established riders turned regular store customers which led Ben to expanding his products to another floor. “Dati nung nagstart ako wala etong second floor. Open lang ‘yan tapos pinagawan ko kasi dumami na ‘yung pyesa. Hindi ako pwede mag-extend e, buti mataas ‘yung ceiling so second floor nalang. Kawawa nga lang ‘yung matatangkad kasi pag-akyat naka-yuko na” Ben illustrates with a smirk.

A HANDS-ON APPROACH

Raven Cycles’ familiarity to the bike community could have spawned more branches but Ben thinks otherwise. When asked about opening more shops, whether inside or outside Quezon City, Ben’s answer was swift “Mahirap kasi hindi naman siya talaga tulad ng ibang bike shop na pwedeng marami. Sa akin kasi mas gusto ko na more on custom built services, hands on. Ayokong maging shop ang Raven Cycles na pare-parehas ang binebenta. Gusto ko ‘yung products namin customized, na kapag nilabas mo wala kang kapareho. Kaya hindi siya pwede mag-extend kasi kung gusto kong ganon lahat, kailangan hands on talaga ako.”

Ben accepts all kinds of bike services in his shop “Tune-up, building, wheel alignment, bike wash, lahat ng type of service, pwede. Kahit ordering na within dito, kaya ko rin produce. Kung nasa ibang bansa naman, depende.” It’s fair to say that Raven Cycles can sell and service anything bike related. Their products range from parts, accessories, and outdoor gear. The service that Ben offers is also something that customers look forward to “Kadalasan ako ‘yung nagbubuo ng bikes dito. Saka minsan kapag nawawala ako, ako pa rin ang hinahanap. “

This rings true as Ben isn’t specific on Raven Cycles’ target market. This approach may not work for everyone but luckily for Ben, it pans out just fine. “’Yung target market ko anyone na mahilig sa bike. Kaya ko mag-cater sa lahat tapos as much as possible, ‘yung mga tao na mahilig sa custom bikes. ‘Yun ang gusto ko eh kesa bumili sila ng built bikes. Kasi masaya at siguradong wala kang makakapareha. Kapag kumukuha pati ako ng products, tatargetin ko ‘yung papunta palang, hindi ‘yung nagboom na” he adds.

BREAKING THE COMMUNITY’S MOULD

“Maganda at malaki,” Ben tells when asked about the current bike community. “Marami na ring grupo, tulad ngayon sa fixed gear community meron ng Manila Fixed, WeFXD, Laguna Fixed, kahit sa Cebu meron. Ganon sila ka-active ngayon, nakakagawa sila ng iba’t-ibang grupo.” Ben who has been biking since elementary also formed a small bike group called 43 Bikes about a decade ago. His close-knit biking buddies were fixed gear godfathers Kiko Escora and Noel Maralit.

The course of the bike community also affects Ben’s business pace “In terms of the shop, iba-iba rin e. Kailangan aakapin mo ‘yung bike communities, kailangan makisabay ka. Ang ayoko lang ‘yung naglalaban [‘yung mga bike shop] sa presyo … ‘yung ganoong klase ng competition. Okay kung competitive pero maganda pa rin ang flow within the businesses at groups.”

Ben is very open when it comes to sponsoring riders and events, he enthuses “Kapag may event at may lumalapit sa akin – tulad ngayon karamihan ng events sa fixed gear – kung may kailangan na parts, binibigyan ko. Hangga’t maaari, kahit maliit, inaalalayan ko.” Earlier this year, Ben launched his own line of bike parts and accessories called Tutubi Outdoors. His house brand has released straps and bags which he sometimes gives as support for riders. He is also currently producing Tutubi fixed gear frames which will be released later this year.

CUSTOM-MADE HAPPY

There is no doubt that the bike community has flourished in the last five to 10 years. Groups are formed everywhere which have led to the mushrooming of bicycle shops. We just had to ask Ben what sets Raven Cycles’ apart “Sa amin unique ang bikes, custom built. Kunwari ang isang bike P300,000 pero maraming kamukha, maraming kapareha. Unlike sa amin na custom, kapag lumabas ka wala kang kapareha kahit P300,000 din ‘yan. Iba siya at maa-appreciate mo pa. Magtatagal sa’yo ‘yung bike mo. Tapos sa amin walang competition, kasi unique kami eh. Ayun ang gusto ko, ‘yun ang mao-offer ko.”

Aside from making sure that every bike he sells is one-of-a-kind, Ben also considers the purpose and functionality of the cycles he builds “Kapag may bibili, tinatanong ko muna ‘Saan mo gagamitin? Sinong kasama mo pag-bike?’ tapos saka ko tatanungin magkano ang willing niyang gastusin. Dapat kasi ‘yung bike mo nakakasabay sa buhay at crowd mo. ‘Yun kasi ang ride mo e. Hindi ka dapat magsawa at sigurado kang ‘yun ang gusto mo talaga.”

This mindset isn’t temporary because Ben plans to further his advocacy for custom-made bikes. In the coming years, Raven Cycles’ will undergo a careful but definite transition “Gusto ko magrebuild ng shop or lumipat sa mas malaking place. Pwede rin namang dito pa rin tapos baguhin ko lang ulit ‘yung set-up – babawasan ko ‘yung built bikes and be more on customizing kasi ‘yun ang masaya. Magtutuloy kami magbuo ng project bikes tapos kung may maka-gusto, pwede ng i-let go. Tapos buo ka lang ulit kasi masaya eh. At the same time may market ka pa rin.” Ben then pauses and takes a look at the bicycles standing beside him. Just when we thought the interview was over, he beams “Gusto ko maging specialty shop ang Raven Cycles at pagpasok ng next year, iba na ang set-up ko. Specialty goods, specialty bikes.”

Raven Cycles is located at 24Q Malingap Street, Teacher’s Village, Diliman, Quezon City. For inquiries and more, visit their Facebook page.