What CAMINADE does

Caminade is a French custom bicycle manufacturer founded in 2012 by Brice Epailly in Ille-sur-Têt, Occitanie, producing made-to-measure titanium, steel, and stainless steel frames for individual cyclists. Its product portfolio spans the AllRoad titanium gravel bike (the flagship), LongRoad endurance road bike, One4All full-suspension mountain bike with proprietary Parabolink kinematics, SimpleTrack hardtail, and cargo/utility vehicles including the CamiGo intermediate vehicle and Cargo Lowtech conversion. The company also sells the Llum line of dynamo-powered lamps with integrated USB chargers, approaching 200 cumulative units sold by 2026.

The company's core technical differentiator is the proprietary 'manchonnage collé' (bonded sleeve) technique for titanium frame construction, developed in collaboration with aerospace firm AVIATUBE to transpose structural bonding technology used in aviation. Frames undergo 2-3 hour dynamic fitting studies at the Ille-sur-Têt workshop (La Fabrica, a renovated theater space), with custom geometry derived from individual body measurements and riding practice, and carry a lifetime warranty backed by NF EN ISO4210 homologation testing. Manufacturing lead times run 4 weeks for frames and up to 12 weeks for complete bikes, with over 1,000 custom bikes produced across 13 years of operation.

Caminade operates a sales-led, direct-to-consumer model with no disclosed external funding, employing 27 staff and serving primarily French and European individual cyclists in the adventure, ultra-distance, gravel, and mountain biking segments. Bikes start at €2,690 for complete builds and €2,199 for frame kits, with Cofidis 0% financing available up to €6,000. Distribution is anchored by workshop visits and an online configurator, supplemented by presence at trade shows (Roc d'Azur, TRAKA in Spain, Pro Days in Toulouse) and self-organized events such as Gravel66 and Open The Road. Component sourcing leverages partnerships with Campagnolo, SRAM, Shimano, Pinion, Hope, Enve, Hutchinson, and Schwalbe, while local suppliers handle wheels (Neo Wheels), bags (Velocidade), apparel (Tactic), and renewable energy (Enercoop), creating a tightly integrated Catalan-Pyrénées-Orientales ecosystem.

Name

CAMINADE

Legal name

Caminade

Website

https://caminade.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Caminade is a French custom bicycle manufacturer in Ille-sur-Têt producing made-to-measure titanium, steel, and stainless steel frames using proprietary aerospace-derived structural bonding technology, serving individual cyclists across gravel, road, mountain, and cargo segments in Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Bicycle Manufacturing

NAICS

Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)

SIC

Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)

akta.pro primary industry

E-bikes & E-cargo Bikes Manufacturing (IMACAOAA)

Keywords

• Custom titanium bicycles
• Gravel bike manufacturing
• Made in France bikes
• Bespoke bicycle frames
• Dynamo lighting systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Ille-sur-Têt

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom Titanium Bikes: Main revenue stream from manufacturing and selling custom titanium bikes. Frames are made to measure with 4-week lead time for frame only, up to 12 weeks for complete bikes.
2. Custom Steel Bikes: Custom steel frames for gravel and mountain bikes, offering more affordable option while maintaining artisanal quality.
3. Llum Lamp System: Dynamo-powered lighting system with integrated USB charging. Nearly 200 units sold, V2 launched in 2025.
4. Bicycle Accessories: Sale of complementary products including frame bags (90€), saddle bags (35€), jerseys, and clothing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Caminade designs, manufactures, and sells custom titanium, steel, and stainless steel bicycles (gravel, road, mountain, cargo) entirely in France using proprietary sleeve-bonding construction techniques derived from aerospace bonding technology. Each bike is built to the customer's individual measurements and riding style with 4-week frame lead times and up to 12 weeks for complete builds. The company also produces the Llum dynamo lamp with integrated USB charging and light utility vehicles (CamiGo, Cargo Lowtech) under the intermediate vehicle (véli) category.

Product overview

Caminade is a French custom bicycle manufacturer specializing in titanium, steel, and stainless steel frames. The product portfolio centers on custom-built bikes for gravel, road, and mountain biking, manufactured entirely in France at their Ille-sur-Tet workshop. Core products include the AllRoad titanium gravel bike (flagship), Gravel models, LongRoad endurance road bike, VTT mountain bikes including One4All full-suspended and SimpleTrack hardtail, and cargo vehicles (Triporteur/CamiGo, Cargo Lowtech). Manufacturing uses TIG welding for traditional frames and proprietary sleeve-bonding technology for titanium-carbon hybrid frames developed with AVIATUBE aerospace technology. The company also offers Llum dynamo lamps with integrated USB chargers as a complementary accessory line. Services include custom painting (stencil technique), dynamic fitting studies, frame kit sales for self-assembly, and electrification conversion services. With nearly 1000 custom bikes built over 13 years, Caminade positions itself at the intersection of artisanal craftsmanship and technological innovation, particularly in structural bonding techniques.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Llum: Dynamo-powered bike lamp with USB charger, manufactured locally 7km from Caminade workshop. First versions commercialized in 2024, V2 launched in 2025.

Products and services

• AllRoad Titanium Gravel Bike Custom titanium gravel bike with bonded carbon lugs and sleeve-bonding manufacturing technique for accessible French-made titanium frames. Available with Pinion gearbox or traditional derailleur drivetrains. Lifetime frame warranty. For adventure and ultra-distance cyclists.
• Gravel Bikes (Titanium, Steel, Stainless Steel) Custom gravel bicycles for mixed terrain riding, available in titanium, steel, or stainless steel. Multi-expertise platform adapted to rider measurements and practice. For cyclists riding roads, dirt paths, and forest tracks.
• Route Bikes (LongRoad Endurance, UltraRoad) Custom road bicycles including LongRoad endurance model and UltraRoad. Titanium frames with carbon or steel lugs for performance road cycling with comfort-focused endurance geometry.
• VTT Mountain Bikes (One4All, SimpleTrack) Custom mountain bikes including One4All full-suspended model with proprietary Parabolink suspension kinematics and SimpleTrack semi-rigid 29-inch hardtail. Steel and titanium frames with advanced suspension kinematics for trail, cross-country, and enduro riding.
• Triporteur Cami-Go (Cargo Trike) Three-wheeled cargo trike for light utility vehicle applications. Part of the intermediate vehicle (véli) category for professional and ecological mobility use.
• Cargo Lowtech Upcycled cargo bike built on a Commenal Supernormal aluminum VTT frame from 1999. Motorized with Virvolt 900 kit and bottle battery. Eco-friendly upcycling approach for utility cycling applications.
• CamiGo Intermediate Vehicle Light utility vehicle (véhicule intermédiaire/véli) with empty weight under 600kg. 100% Catalan production for professional and ecological daily mobility. Positioned between traditional bicycle and conventional car.
• Llum Dynamo Lamp (V2) Dynamo-powered front lamp with integrated USB charger for phones, GPS, and power banks. V2 version 20% lighter and more compact (38x38x52mm). Manufactured locally 7km from Caminade workshop. Only European competitor to US-based Sinewave Beacon. Approaching 200 units sold by 2026.
• Llum Pulsative Rear Lamp Pulsating rear lamp companion to the Llum front dynamo lamp system. Enhances safety lighting for night riding on gravel, touring, and adventure bikes.
• Custom Frame Kits (Kit Cadre) Custom frame-only kits for self-assembly or workshop mounting. Manufacturing lead time 4 weeks for frames, 12 weeks for complete bikes. Includes all Caminade custom geometry options.
• Dynamic Study (Étude Dynamique) Fitting Service 2-3 hour postural fitting session at the La Fabrica workshop for custom bike geometry optimization. Includes hands-on experimentation with multiple positions and configurations. Required for fully custom bikes.
• Custom Assembly Service Custom component selection and complete bike assembly. Over 1,000 custom bikes manufactured across 13 years. Full custom drivetrain, wheels, and component selection with leading groupset brands (Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo) and premium components (Pinion, Hope, Enve, RockShox).
• Custom Painting Service (Stencil / Au Pochoir) Full custom frame painting using stencil technique (au pochoir). No adhesive decals. Complete personalization for all frames.
• Electrification Conversion Service Electric motor wheel conversion services using Annad, Pendix, or Virvolt motor systems for existing Caminade bicycles. Retrofit solution allowing conversion of muscle-powered bikes to electric assist.
• Prototyping Services Design and prototyping services leveraging aerospace-grade bonding technologies from AVIATUBE collaboration. 3D printing (fabrication additive) for complex frame components. Used for R&D projects like 32-inch gravel bike, Cargo Lowtech, and CamiGo.
• Bicycle Accessories (Frame Bags, Saddle Bags, Apparel) Complementary products including frame bags (€90), saddle bags (€35), jerseys, and Caminade-branded clothing manufactured by Catalan apparel maker Tactic in Girona, Spain.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ custom bikes manufactured using manchonné collé technique
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration19 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Campagnolo FrancecoreTechnology or Integration · 30 June 2026Partnership for 32-inch gravel bike project featuring Campagnolo Record X 13-speed groupset. Campagnolo provides transmission technology specifically designed for modern gravel cycling with extended gear range and optimized shifting precision.
• Neo WheelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWheel assembly partnership for 32-inch gravel project. Neo Wheels assembled carbon 32-inch rims on hubs using Berds textile spokes, optimizing for reduced rotating mass and improved acceleration.
• SchwalbecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for tire development on 32-inch gravel project. Schwalbe declined their gravel tire range to 32-inch format, including G-One RX model for the unique wheel size.
• Frank-NeoWheelsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWheel builder in neighboring municipality who assembles high-end wheels with Berds textile spokes and carbon rims for Caminade bikes.
• AVIATUBEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace technology company that collaborated with Caminade to transpose aerospace bonding technologies (quality, robustness, lightness) to bicycle frame manufacturing using AVIATIUM aluminum alloy tubes.
• Velocidade (Ricardo)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBikepacking bag maker from Mirepoix who developed custom frame bags specifically for Caminade H-bar bikes. Partnership includes video content collaboration.
• TacticminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCatalan apparel manufacturer in Girona, Spain for Caminade-branded clothing including jerseys and jackets, printed and sewn locally.
• HutchinsonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench tire manufacturer collaborated with Caminade on development of Hutchinson Override gravel tire, with integration throughout design phases.
• StableBikeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to design and prototype three-wheel tilting cargo bikes with two rear wheels for improved stability.
• EnercoopminorOthersRenewable energy cooperative supplying electricity to Caminade's workshop. Enercoop injects 100% renewable energy onto the grid versus EDF's 17%.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• J.Guillem: Spanish custom titanium bicycle manufacturer based in Mallorca with a similar artisanal, made-in-house approach. Builds custom titanium road, gravel, and MTB frames for ultra-distance and premium cyclists with comparable lifetime-warranty positioning.
• Moots Cycles: US-based custom titanium bicycle manufacturer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Specializes in custom titanium road, gravel, and mountain bike frames with a similar artisanal, made-to-order approach and lifetime warranty positioning.
• Lynskey Performance: US custom titanium bicycle manufacturer based in Tennessee. Builds custom titanium road, gravel, MTB, and adventure frames with a similar handmade, lifetime-warranty approach to premium cyclists.
• Litespeed: US-based titanium bicycle manufacturer with deep heritage in titanium frame construction. Produces custom and semi-custom titanium road, gravel, and mountain bikes, comparable to Caminade's artisanal titanium focus.
• Firefly Bicycles: US custom bicycle manufacturer specializing in titanium and carbon frames with bonded tube technology. Their bonded construction methods parallel Caminade's manchonnage collé approach in the premium custom segment.
• Seven Cycles: US-based custom titanium and steel bicycle manufacturer with a similar fully-custom, made-to-measure approach. Produces custom road, gravel, and MTB frames for premium cyclists with a comparable one-off manufacturing model.
• Enigma Bicycle Works: UK-based custom titanium bicycle manufacturer with a similar artisanal, bespoke frame-building approach. Produces custom titanium road, gravel, and adventure frames for premium European cyclists.
• Reilly Cycleworks: UK custom titanium and steel bicycle manufacturer specializing in adventure, gravel, and touring bikes. Comparable artisanal approach targeting a similar premium custom cycling customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Look Cycle: French premium bicycle manufacturer with much larger scale than Caminade, producing road, gravel, and MTB bikes. Operates broadly in the same French premium cycling space with overlapping capabilities but does not specialize in the custom titanium niche.
• Time Bicycles: French premium bicycle manufacturer with heritage in custom and high-end road bikes. Operates in the same French premium bicycle space as Caminade but at significantly larger scale and without the bespoke one-off manufacturing focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/caminadebikes
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/CaminadeBicycles
• Facebookfacebook.com/caminadebikes
• Instagraminstagram.com/caminadebikes
• Pinterestpinterest.com/caminade

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CAMINADE