LUXURY BIKE company Orro Bikes combines expert bicycle-making skills with chic designs for cycling fanatics who like to ride in style. The company was founded by Ian Wilson and Paul Butler who created Orro Bikes in a workshop in Ditchling, Sussex.
The pair also owns i-ride, one of the UK’s leading companies in the supply of premium cycle products. As such, they represent some of the sport’s most prestigious and technical brands –names such as Campagnolo, De Rosa, Fulcrum, SeaSucker and Speedplay (to name but a few) with countless Tour de France and world titles between them.
And consequently they have a huge amount of experience of the design and technologies of bicycles and each component – as well as a huge passion for what they do.
Bottle cage on an Orro Venturi
In regards to their Orro bikes, the founders’ vision was straightforward for them. “It was quite simple really,” says Wilson. “We wanted to design bikes that we would want to ride ourselves. We wanted to create the best and the most stylish bikes for serious riders.”
An Orro bicycle on the road
Orro’s Signature bikes are painted by hand in Ditchling Beacon, Sussex.“We wanted to achieve the same depth and beauty that you would demand for a supercar. It starts with using the highest quality paints; and then having them applied here in the UK by hand to give the most beautiful finish,” explains Wilson.
Ditchling Beacon, an iconic place in British cycling – not only was the climb featured in the first stages of the Tour de France to be held in the UK in 1994; but also it is the ultimate part of the annual challenge for those amateur cyclists taking part in the London to Brighton bike ride for charity each year. “The Sussex Downs are so beautiful and such a perfect testing ground for our bikes,” says Butler.
An Orro bicycle in action
In terms of colour, customers can also choose between Orro’s range of designer colours for their bicycle, giving it a customisable touch.
ORRO Bikes signature Venturi
More atelier than factory, Orro produces handbuilt works of art for their bikes and focuses on four core values. “Our four core values are Quality; Performance; Style; Innovation,” explains Wilson.
Their expertise in technology and design particularly shine in Orro’s signature Venturi range.
“And by insisting on only accepting the highest standards; by introducing such high levels of technology and skill and expertise, to develop such a beautifully engineered product; and such a high quality finished product – then we have created something special; something unique.”
The Venturi STC Signature Orange Force Etap Orro bicycle
by Julie Heinisch
The bikes are available at Orro Bikes