Stout Cycles consists of Big Bada-Boom Paintworks and HROK custom frames and was set up by me, Russell Stout.

I was formerly a Co-founder and Co-director of Shand Cycles (for around 10 years) and prior to that was Co-founder and Co-director of one of Scotland’s leading digital design agencies. At Shand Cycles we manufactured steel frames here in Scotland and specialised in touring bikes for on and off-road.

In my time at Shand I must have painted in excess of 500 frames in the early days, even picking up an award for best paint finish at the Bespoked Handbuilt Bike Show. Painting frames is now the bulk of my work at Stout Cycles and I enjoy working with customers on their paint designs and providing paint services to other frame builders.

The frame building part of the business falls under the name HROK and is still in its infancy (I hesitate to call it a ‘brand’) as I get to grips with aluminium, although I am tentatively taking orders. I like to keep my frame designs simple, preferring function over form but do think appearances are important and believe that purpose very much has its own aesthetic. It’s amazing that you can design and build a machine from nine simple tubes (and some components) to transport a person and their belongings across continents. And be able to lift that machine with just one hand.

As well as being involved for many years in graphic and product design, I also have a passion for cycling and the outdoors and have competed in various endurance races in the UK and further afield, including highlights such as Transcontinental Race No 2, Silk Road Mountain Race No 1 and 17th Marathon des Sables (no bike required for that one).

I’m also straightforward to deal with, aiming to be professional with customers and suppliers and honest about what can be achieved and what can’t, as well as being transparent about costs.

If you like what you see, get in touch to discuss your two wheeled dream.