Custom Carbon Fiber Bikes and Frames
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Howdy! I'm Matt Appleman and this is Appleman Bicycles. Since 2010, I've built each frame by hand with steadfast design and painstaking workmanship. An Appleman bonds engineering and artistry to craft frames that look as unique as they ride.
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Handmade in the USA
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From the head tube to the dropouts, your Appleman is designed and fabricated for you. Every millimeter, every degree, and every layer of is carbon thoughtfully chosen to provide you with the best ride, quality, durability, and fit.
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In a time when the www spawns waves of DIY "framebuilders," you can rest assured that an Appleman is more than online forum findings. I have a Bachelors Degree in Composite Materials Engineering and worked as a composite engineer building wind turbine blades and aerospace materials. Stepping into it's 9th year, Appleman Bicycles is dedicated to building the finest frames and takes no shortcuts building your frame.
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"I've had custom steel and titanium frames, but was amazed that the Appleman has the best qualities of each." -Matt, CT
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Raw, industrial, and timeless are how many describe their Appleman. The complete lack of paint makes not only for a strikingly unique finish, but also one that won't chip or scratch over time. The carbon is UV protected and logos are made of titanium, wood, carbon fiber, and other mediums.
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Customers know that Appleman customer service is top-notch. It's a one man operation and you work with me throughout the entire process. I'm the builder, designer, phone answerer, and heck...I even coded this website! You get a streamlined process for your new frame or repair, with no surprises when you open up your bike box.
.: Matt Appleman is all smiles :.
.: Appleman History :.
How did you get started in framebuilding?
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I started riding in 5th grade and then racing in middle school. While in college, I had a knee injury in which an ill fitting bike was the culprit. There was no stock bike that had the geometry I needed. I put my degree in Composite Materials Engineering to use and built myself a custom carbon bike that fit me. I was able to ride again while working full time as a composites engineer building wind turbine blades in South Dakota and then aerospace materials in California. After a few years of working for others and building frames as a hobby, I quit my high-zoot job and started Appleman Bicycles full time.
How long have you been building frames?
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I started working with composites in 2004. I built my first frame in 2008 and started Appleman Bicycles in 2010.
How did you learn to build frames?
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I’m self taught. I earned a degree in Composite Materials Engineering from Winona State University. I started sticking tubes together and destroying them in my dorm room. Developing a process, using a wide range of materials, and experimenting with various manufacturing methods was the best way to learn how to work with carbon fiber. This experimentation and development laid the foundation for what is now Appleman Bicycles.
Do you race?
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I race cyclocross, gravel, and Strava. I raced road and track for about 15 years before mellowing out to racing cross for fun. What I lack in speed, I make up for in consistency. Regardless of training, I seem to finish in the middle of the pack every time.
