Robert Hoehne is an alumnus of the Audax Australia Cycling Club and initially approached Kumo Cycles for a tandem. After meeting with Keith to discuss the project, and encountering one of his own randonneur bikes, the plan somewhat changed.

Having created many of Australia’s favorite modern custom frames, Keith Marshall of Kumo Cycles was looking forward to tackling a tandem, but while Robert and he were discussing the intricacies of the new build, Rob spotted Keith’s blue randonneur.

To be truthful, a single rando was really what Rob was after, so they went back to the drawing board and nutted out this Columbus Spirit OS tubed frame. Downtube shifters, a custom stem, and double custom racks turned this into a classically-styled machine.

Rob designs battery packs and their protection circuits for a living and took pleasure in wiring up the Philips Saferide 80 Lux lamp to the front rack. “This light accepts power from 5.5V to 48V so I can pick up any battery and have it running.

“My plan is to power the light with a 10.8V lithium Ion cache battery that is charged via a B&M E-WERK. I received the bike only 3 days before these photos and have not had time to add these yet.

Rob ran the SON 20R dynamo hub wiring up the rear of the fork. White Industries cranks and a 10-speed cassette will make hill climbs a breeze, and the frame will accept 650bx42mm tires with guards and 48mm tires without guards for rougher rides.

It’s heartening to see that Audax riding in Australia is becoming increasingly popular, and even more so to know that builders like Keith Marshall can provide beautiful bikes — like Robert’s — to fuel the fire.

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