The 2024 Concours de Machines winner, David Barou, took up frame building after a one-year cycling odyssey in central Asia that changed the course of his career and his life.

Cycles Affranchi builds unique and functional bikes for all terrains in the Pyrenees Mountains of Southwestern France under the design principles of freedom and independence.

Finding the right saddle is a very personal thing, with comfort a major factor. But Gilles Berthoud saddles offers a lot more than just a comfy ride. Paul Skilbeck relates his experience over two years with a Gilles Berthoud Soulor saddle.

At the Classic Rendezvous Weekend, David Staudacher displayed a replica of the French bicycle that Irishman Sean Kelly rode to a dramatic victory at the Italian classic Milan-San Remo in the twilight of his career.

Cycles Victoire, the French builders from near Clermont-Ferrand, produced a special bike for Rapha's pop-up store in Paris last autumn.

Part Three of our Concours de Machines coverage is a first-hand account by one of the contestants from Gilles Berthoud Cycles.

In Part Two of our series on the French randonneur/touring bike event Concours de Machines, we announce the 2016 winners and take an in-depth look at Cycles Victoire's winning bike.

The French competition Concours de Machines awards the most innovative, durable and beautiful randonneur bikes through a series of juried inspections and on-the-road tests. In part one of our series about the event, Brian Ignatin looks back upon its storied past.