The Bike Tailor Tour Down Under: In the Frame With Baum Cycles

10th October, 2025 / Photos Ron Nott
For almost 30 years, Baum Cycles has been putting Australia on the map for high-end, custom titanium bikes. And for half of that time, The Bike Tailor’s Stephen Roche has been a friend of the man behind the machines. In Stephen’s view, Darren Baum’s work exists at the apex of modern framebuilding. Or, in his own words, “it’s simply unique and exquisite – tailored at its best.”

“Darren’s attention to detail is astounding,” Stephen says. “And his engineering knowledge is far beyond that of most framebuilders. He’s always searching for the evolution, always looking for ways to improve things. Even with details like custom 3D-printed yokes or integrated headset bearings, he’s constantly finding unique solutions.”

The key to Baum’s quality lies in its all-under-one-roof approach. From design to fabrication to painting, everything is done at the brand’s Geelong facility. As part of The Bike Tailor’s recent Australia visit, Stephen popped in to see how some of the best bikes in the business are made.

Inside Inside Baum HQ

The Baum facility itself is an understated affair. “From the outside you’d never know what goes on. It’s just an industrial unit on a low-key industrial estate,” Stephen explains. Step inside, however, and it is a different story: every stage of production takes place in-house, from cutting and mitering tubing to the exacting three-stage cleaning process required for welding titanium. “Everything is handled with kid gloves,” he adds. “The production area is like a maze, all leading to Darren at the centre with his welding station. Each customer’s frame is stored in a rotating carousel of specially built wooden boxes – a system he designed himself.”

Then there is the paint. For many, Baum’s striking finishes are what first grab attention, and they remain a defining hallmark. “Paint is all in-house too, and that’s something Baum is famous for,” Stephen says. “The detail in the paint jobs is like no other. “

Masters of titanium

Darren’s dedication to the craft, his passion for titanium and his creative streak are what make Baum so special. It’s something that can be seen across the brand’s small but considered range. Take the Celaris – the purest expression of Baum’s titanium expertise, butted and customised with surgical precision, then finished with paintwork that carries the same depth and detail as a world-class automotive finish. Or the Orbis, taking that same foundation and applying it to the all-road category.

Behind each frame lies a design and fabrication process as meticulous as the bikes themselves. Tailored, for example, is a full custom service – the full works – where geometry, butting profiles and even top tube slope are created specifically for the individual rider. Standard sizing, meanwhile, offers seven options, paired with stem length and seat post offset, giving riders access to the same craftsmanship without having to invest in the full custom process.

So, what kind of rider chooses a Baum bike? In Stephen’s eyes, it is someone looking for more than just performance.

“People usually come to Baum because they want something different, something tailored to them,” he says. “I always say, if you want something unique and made for you, you should definitely consider Baum.”

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