Pimp my bike ride
The humble bicycle used to be the poor man’s car. But now that bike fads have trickled from the circuit to the streets, Varsity made a trip to Market Square to find out exactly what it takes (and costs) to have the trendiest two wheels on the road.



The man behind the wheels:
5 minutes with Martin, the CycleSmith of Market Square.
What inspires your bikes?
I don’t work from sketches. My design inspiration could come from anywhere: fashion, animals, nature, something I see in the street.
What’s the most expensive bike you’ve ever built?
It was £3700. But I’m currently building a pretty expensive touring bike for a customer to cycle from East Coast to West Coast of the USA.
Who’s the most interesting customer you’ve ever had?
Every customer has their own story. Last month, I sold a fixie to a 60-year-old guy with bad knees because he just wanted a cool bike to make his son angry!
What’s your top tip for the next big bike trend?
Still on top is definitely the Fixie as well as Dutch bikes (always with a wicker basket). The new trend is electric: you can convert any ordinairy bike for £300-500.
Comment / Cambridge’s tourism risks commodifying students
18 April 2025News / Cambridge student numbers fall amid nationwide decline
14 April 2025News / Greenwich House occupiers miss deadline to respond to University legal action
15 April 2025Comment / The Cambridge workload prioritises quantity over quality
16 April 2025Sport / Cambridge celebrate clean sweep at Boat Race 2025
14 April 2025