Update: You can now read Thomas’s write up on his website and a gallery of his build photos.

BESPOKED is Europe’s largest handmade bicycle show. Based out of the UK, with a recent show in Dresden, Germany (10-12 Oct). It was the third time the show had been in Dresden, making use of the exhibition spaces at Dresden International Airport.

Meerglas Frameworks (Germany) bicycles by Thomas Becker have become a regular at the Dresden shows with award wins each year, a gravel touring bike in 2024 and randonneur bike in 2023.

All photo credits to Adam Gasson on behalf of Bespoked

For the 2025 show Tom built a brazed steel Flevobike-style recumbent bicycle. Using custom lugs for the main frame and fillet brassed rear swingarm. It was awarded the “Best in Show” award on the Friday. This award is judged by the previous years winner, in this case Chris of Good Grief.

Photos by Adam Gasson at BESPOKED Dresden 2025 – Full Gallery

Chris explained a little about his choice and what made him fall in love with the Meerglas frame…’A recumbent? At a handmade bike show? There’s taking risks in your work and art, and then there’s building a recumbent to show off to a bunch of bike nerds; next level.

I met Meerglass last year and fell in love with the modern/vintage take of his rando builds that embrace tradition while low key pushing boundaries.

The recumbent is the perfect example of this. The amount of detail, from the moto choke to lock out the shock under the seat, to the modified lugs used to construct the main tube are perfect examples of the modern constructeur they are. The raw finish left all details out in the open to breathe and dazzle. I knew from the second Thomas started chatting with me about it that he was as excited as I was. This bike exudes the details and originality that make framebuilding truly special.’

Instagram Post

For those who are unfamiliar with the Flevobike style, they are a front wheel drive (FWD) with a moving bottom bracket (MBB, as the bottom bracket and cranks are on the ‘fork’ and move with the steering relative to the rider on the seat) and distinct in that the steering pivot (“headset”) is central, under the seat. Much more information on the style is available on the Flevobike Fanclub Site, the discussion group were able to recognise the NOS seat used in the build.

Tom is actively involved in the cycling community, hosting an annual randoneering centered event Fenderfest. You can see more about Meerglas on their website, Flickr and Instagram. You can read more about Tom and his workshop in this Radavist article by Josh Weinberg.