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Bike of the Month: Robert Stapleton's Seuss-like tall-bike

Posted by Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) on September 19th, 2008 at 3:36 pm

Robert Stapletons Tall Bike-8.jpg
Robert Stapleton and his tall-bike.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Yesterday morning on the way to my office, I made a slight detour to check out an amazing bike parked on SE Hawthorne Blvd.

Turns out it belongs to a man named Robert Stapleton (he had stopped to do some window shopping). Robert told me this fully custom, light-green tall bike is one of a "dozen or so" packed into his Southeast Portland studio apartment.

The bike is a wonderful, whimsical combination of creative welding and little, custom bits that would make anyone smile. One of the coolest things is the bicycle wheel steering wheel. Robert took out the spokes of a 26-inch wheel, added some supports, and welded it to a pair of ape-hanger bars. From watching him ride away it seems to work like a charm.

Robert Stapletons Tall Bike-2.jpg
Robert Stapletons Tall Bike-1.jpg

I also loved this little eyeball he created and place between the upper and lower frames (which are, by the way, attached by a handlebar).

Robert Stapletons Tall Bike-12.jpg

Another unique and fun thing about Robert's bike is the squiggly little tail that runs behind the seat.

I hope to run into Robert again and see some of this other creations. See more photos of his bike here.

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If you like tall bikes and freak bikes, mark your calendar for Freak Bike Fall which is set to happen next month (I'll have a story/interview with the woman behind the event next week).

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Comments
  • true September 19, 2008 at 4:37 pm

    It\'s so beautiful.

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  • Tankagnolo Bob September 20, 2008 at 2:17 pm

    PDX keeps on with the creativity. Will have to show up, with camera in hand, at Free Bike Fall.

    Amazing what has happened in PDX since 1980 when I moved here with a road bike and Tanko. There were no bike lanes, and not many bikes, except a few roadies that did STP every year and some century rides. This town has blossumed in every direction.

    Keep riding, keep building, keep creating here in PDX. Two wheels, in almost any form, rule!! - The Bob

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